Report-writing for ILC technical committees RELMEETINGS ILC training seminar 2 May 2018
What is a Committee report? The report: accompanies the document or instrument(s) adopted by the Committee summarizes statements made in the Committee s discussions serves as a political record and, for standard-setting discussions, a legal record
Structure of the report Standard-setting discussion Introduction General discussion Examination of the proposed Conclusions/ proposed instrument(s) and amendments General or recurrent discussion Introduction Statements on the points for discussion Examination of draft conclusions and amendments
Production process Précis-writer Report-writer Approver Taking notes Writing up Compiling, adapting Review, internal approval Review by JUR then Officers and Reporter Formatting Translation Presentation to ILC plenary for adoption Web-posting Formatting
Role of précis-writers Précis-writers: take notes in the committee plenary summarize the discussion, working from their notes and any prepared statements write in English, using the English interpretation where necessary
Role of report-writers Report-writers: take their own notes in the committee plenary compile and revise the texts of précis-writers seek advice on any sensitive statements provide guidance and feedback to the précis-writers
Role of translators Translators: translate/revise the instalments of the report seek advice on statements that are unclear or potentially incorrect translate amendments
Role of text-processing operators Text-processing operators: format the report instalments and compile them proofread and apply ILO house style insert any handwritten changes from approval process transcribe dictation from translators, if necessary Buenos días Bonjour
Timing Précis-writers take notes for a 30-minute slot. Their deadline is 90 minutes after the slot ends. One report-writer usually covers one sitting of the Committee: morning, afternoon, extended. The reviewer(s) must complete the review by 10 a.m. the following day, or earlier.
Content Summarize each speaker s intervention in chronological order, in reported speech and in neutral language. Include who is speaking, what they say and why. Indicate the sex of the speakers: [M] or [F] Clarify anything that is unclear, otherwise insert comments for the report-writer. [ ]
What to include Focus on: subject matter related to the points for discussion political and legal arguments and ideas Shorten: recaps of the background report In my country (when not relevant) points of procedure Do not include: housekeeping matters digressions
Amendments Amendments to the draft text are submitted before the Committee s discussion. Subamendments are presented during the discussion. They are saved in the SAMM system. a b b c Record who presented each amendment and, if applicable, who seconded it. Record the fate of each amendment: e.g. adopted, adopted as subamended, not adopted, withdrawn, fell
Style Write in UK English and in the past tense. Texts should comply with the ILO House Style Manual and the Oxford English Dictionary. Identify speakers by their title: the Chairperson the Employer Vice-Chairperson the Worker Vice-Chairperson the Government member of X an Employer member from X a Worker member from X Only repeat verbs of saying within a paragraph when it is strictly needed, e.g. to reflect a question or particular emphasis.
Guidance Read the guidance for précis-writers. Familiarize yourself with the background report on the Committee website and with previous in-session Committee reports. Arrange a meeting of report-writers and précis-writers for your Committee before the Conference. Arrange for regular feedback sessions during the Conference.
Questions