Lobbying and Merging
The conference process begins in the lobby with informed dialogue between delegates from different nations, with ad hoc committee, and with organizational meetings. This period, called lobbying and merging, is when resolutions are amended, merged with others, or perhaps even discarded if the delegate has accepted another resolution that more adequately represents his nation’s interests.
Not all of the resolutions will survive the lobbying process or be accepted for debate. However, delegates should not be discouraged if their resolution does not reach the committee floor. Their preparation has not been wasted, for delegates can still attempt to add a few of their most important clauses to a more popular resolution. All delegates should remember that their main objective is to represent their country actively and constructively in the debates and to participate fully in the discussions on the agenda issues, whether or not their own particular resolution is debated.
There are dangers, however, in the merging process. Delegates who seek to create the largest lobby bloc of voting strength by merging as many resolutions as possible sometimes end up with an illogical, unrealistic, or inherently contradictory resolution. It is essential that delegates should be aware of this risk and seek to create resolutions that are representative of the policies of specific interest groups and that make realistic recommendations for action to be taken in dealing with the issues.
Merging Resolutions
1. Review your country’s general policy on the issue and consider which country or group of countries might most likely support your draft resolution.
2. Establish contact with the delegates from these countries.
3. Exchange resolutions and read carefully.
4. Take time to discuss your resolution with your fellow delegate. Explain the meaning and purpose of certain clauses. Comment on the clauses that you either like or dislike. How can the resolution be strengthened and thereby improved? Make constructive suggestions.
5. If you see that certain clauses are similar, think about how you could merge (join into one) both resolutions.
Always be open to merging resolutions. Merging can strengthen the resolution and, ultimately, the quality of debate.
6. If you decide to merge, start clarifying the vague clauses.
7. You can research in the AIS library in order to gain additional information for your resolution.
8. Always be careful that the resolution you and your fellow delegate are writing is in line with the foreign policies of both countries!
9. Remember: The contacts you make when lobbying are especially useful during debate. Through these contacts, you can yield the floor to those whom you know favor the resolution.
Co-submitting Resolutions
1. Review your country’s general policy on the issues and consider which country or group of countries might most likely support your draft resolution.
2. Establish contact with the delegates from these countries.
3. Exchange resolutions and read carefully.
4. Take time to discuss your resolution with your fellow delegate. Explain the meaning and purpose of certain clauses.
5. Try to convince the other delegate why he or she must be in favor of your resolution. Ask the delegate to co-submit your resolution.
6. If you want to co-submit another delegate’s resolution, be sure that you agree with all the clauses and that it is entirely in line with your country’s foreign policy.
7. If you discover that one or two points are unacceptable, make suggestions. If the other delegate is uncompromising, do not co-submit his or her resolution.
8. Remember: The contacts you make during lobbying are especially useful during debate. Through these contacts, you can yield the floor to those whom you know favor the resolution.