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Submitting IFUW Resolutions

This section outlines IFUW's procedure for submitting and adopting policy resolutions. Questions should be addressed to the Resolutions Committee Convener, .

Who May Propose Resolutions

Resolutions may be submitted only by IFUW national federations and associations, the Board of Officers, standing committees and special committees of IFUW.

Deadline for Submissions

Resolutions must be received by IFUW Headquarters not later than six months before the Conference. The deadline for submitting resolutions for consideration by the 29th IFUW Conference will normally be 10 February 2007.

Content

Resolutions on public policy must deal with important issues and be consistent with the purposes of IFUW.

A resolution seeking to reaffirm existing policy may be introduced when restatement is advisable. Reaffirmation is made in order to highlight existing IFUW policy for a specific purpose such as presentation to a UN conference or reaction to a current world event. The proposing NFA must refer to the exact IFUW policy to be reaffirmed and supply updated background information and the reason for reaffirmation.

Resolutions with financial implication for IFUW should clearly indicate ways of funding their implementation.

Format

  • Proposed resolutions may be submitted in either English or French.
  • Each resolution must have a title and mention the proposer(s).
  • A resolution should state clearly and concisely the nature of action to be taken and who is to take it. (e.g. National Federations and Associations, IFUW Board of Officers). If government action is being sought, NFAs should be asked to contact their own governments.
  • IFUW resolutions are not preceded by "introductory" or "whereas" clauses.
  • The clause that forms the body of the resolutions should be one sentence in length and if a second clause is required, they would be joined by "; and".
  • Each resolution must be accompanied by a supporting statement and a plan of action. (See Sample resolution, supporting statement and plan of action)
  • The text of the proposed resolution, together with the supporting statement and plan of action should not exceed 1 page in total. Additional materials may be sent separately for input to future Information Papers.
  • Please provide the name of a contact person, with e-mail address and/or fax number to facilitate contact before the Conference in case clarification is needed or there is a possibility of combining your resolution with another similar resolution.

Please click here to see a sample resolution

Emergency Resolutions

Emergency Resolutions may be submitted from the floor at the Conference if they relate to unexpected events occurring after the regular submission deadline and if they relate to action which must be undertaken prior to the next Triennial Conference, for which IFUW has no previously established policy. Permission to admit these for debate must be given by the Conference by a two-thirds majority of the voting delegates.

Procedure at Conference

  • Resolutions may be submitted by any member entitled to vote and by Conveners of IFUW Committees.
  • All motions or resolutions must be seconded, except in the case of Board resolutions proposed from the Chair.
  • Resolutions that have been submitted prior to the six-month deadline are introduced at Conference and the proposer affirms to the Chair that a seconder has been secured. The Chair repeats the resolution and then opens it for discussion at a plenary session, where any member may speak for or against the proposal. Normally a maximum of ten minutes is allowed for discussion on each proposal and no one may speak longer than two minutes at a time.
  • At each conference a period of time is given for informal discussion among the proposers and delegates seeking amendments, in order to try and agree on a consensus text. At the 29th Conference in Manchester there will be working lunch or a workshop where proposers can discuss their resolutions with interested members. A consensus text must be acceptable to the proposer of the original resolution prior to its submission to the Conference at a business session.
  • Each resolution, either in the original or a consensus form, is then officially proposed and seconded and opened for final debate in a business session before being put to a vote. A simple majority of the votes cast is required for adoption.
  • Amendments to the consensus text may be proposed and seconded at the business session. When an amendment is moved to a proposal, the amendments are voted on first, one at a time. If one or more amendments passes, the amended proposal is then voted on. If no amendments pass, the original proposal or the consensus text is put to a vote.
  • Procedure for emergency resolutions: Any resolution received by the Resolutions Committee after the prescribed date (six months before the Conference) and at least 24 hours before it is put before the Conference, must meet the criteria for Emergency Resolutions. It may only be accepted for debate after receiving the required two-thirds majority of the conference delegates present and voting. Once accepted for debate, the resolution requires only a simple majority of the votes cast to be adopted.
  • No resolutions shall be announced by the Chair less than 48 hours before the termination of the Conference.