Position Papers

What is a Position Paper?

You are required to research, write, and submit a Position Paper prior to the conference. Also called Policy Statements, these papers are required at most conferences -both high school and collegiate- around the world.  An exceptional delegate will take these papers seriously as they are an opportunity to practice your research, writing, and -ultimately at conference- speaking, skills. In addition to practicing these skills, Delegates will receive constructive feedback from the Secretariat to help build on them.

​

Why are Position Papers important?

Fundamentally, these papers are an exercise that help you think your country's policy more thoroughly. These papers allow you the opportunity to use your research to craft a concise statement about your country's position. A good paper will give more background on the issue and propose solutions, and as such will help get the conversation started in the opening sessions. Throughout conference, in addition to your other research, these papers will be a handy reference for your country's position to use when working on speeches and resolutions. The solutions proposed in your Position Paper are the preliminary ideas that, during committee sessions, you should work to have ultimately included in a resolution.​​

​

Heading

Papers should have a heading that includes the following:

COMMITTEE:

COUNTRY:

TOPIC:

SCHOOL:

NAME:

​

Content

A good position paper will include:

1. 1. An introduction of the issue, describing the problem and explaining why it is an issue of international concern, with specific examples and data.

   2.  A description of recent international action related to the issue at hand, with specific examples and making special note of any UN action, as well as evaluating the success or failure of these efforts and whether your country supports them or not.

   3.  An explanation of the country's position on the issue that illustrates its history with the issue and how the issue affects the country, with specific examples.

   4.  An account of actions and steps that the country and its government have taken in regard to the issue

   5.  A recommendation for specific UN actions that should be taken in the future

All information included in a policy statement must directly relate to the topic at hand.

​

Works Cited

Your Works Cited page should be the last page in your policy statement with each source in alphabetical order and cited in Modern Language Association (MLA) format

​

Finishing Up

The checklist below is the rubric for grading. Each Position Paper must include these 8 criteria. When you have completed your paper, review the items below to make sure that you have met all the requirements.

1. 1. Header includes Committee, Country, Topic, School, Sponsors, and Delegate Names.

   2. An explanation and definition of the issue.

   3. A short summary of recent international action related to the question.

   4. A statement of the country's position on the issue.

   5. Specific suggestions for the solution.

   6. Reference to at least three key documents relation to the issue that are NOT cited in the committee's Background Guide (cited in MLA format).

   7. Policy statement is 2+ pages long, singled spaced in 12 pt font, Times New Roman, with Works Cited is on the following page.

   8. Policy statement file is in pdf format.​

​​

More Useful Resources​

Sample Position Paper

Sample Crisis Position Paper

How to write a Position Paper

Position Paper Award Guidelines