Writing a Position Paper: A Comprehensive Guide

What is a position paper:

Position papers typically outline their country’s position and stance on the proclaimed issues and topics of the committee. A concise introduction should be followed by a thorough description of the nation's stance on the subject(s) under discussion by each committee, usually being one page long.

When should you write and submit it:

At least a month before the paper is due, you should start considering the position paper as you do your research on the subject and your nation. The first few pages of your background guide are often where you'll find information regarding where to send the document and when to send it. Position papers are typically due a week or two before conferences, so make sure to schedule time for this procedure in advance. Always examine the formatting and title requirements specified by your chair (as they can vary from conference to conference).

Writing a position paper is a great way to establish your conference strategy and game plan. It will help you be a better delegate by preparing you for the problems and unforeseen events that are almost certain to arise. It will also show the chairs of the committee that you are well prepared.

The flow of the position paper:

• Heading

  Name

  Committee

  Topic(s)

  Country

• Topic background + introduction

  Instead of just focusing on the past, place more focus on where you think the situation is heading in the future. You can do this by breaking down the main issue into smaller, much more understandable sub-issues. It is a good idea to analyse trends where the issue appears and recognise complications that are in the way of resolving them.

• Past actions by the UN

  Instead of listing all the past actions, we suggest focusing on two or three in depth. Don’t forget to write about both failed actions as well as successful ones. The best way to show your analysis skills is to find out what went wrong and how these actions could have been improved.

• Country Policy

  Research well on your country’s internal actions as well as international ones, along with that, pay attention to its core values, political bodies its part of, voting records, etc. to determine its policy and stance.

• Suggesting Solutions

  Through the use of your previous research, you will know what to target, what failed and succeeded, and what will be effective. You should also decide which of the past UN actions you want to discontinue, change, or introduce improvements to. Lastly, make sure to address all your sub-issues.

General tips:

• Create an overview of the subjects, arguments, and strategies you wish to use

• Make sure to use a wide range of reliable resources such as:
  • BBC - Provides useful timelines for many nations and significant occurrences
  • NPR is renowned for being at the center of news stories
  • The national news agency of your nation, if there is one

• Some reliable databases:
  • Good country overviews can be found in Encyclopaedia Britannica
  • The World Factbook - CIA contains useful data points and statistics

We hope this clarifies any doubts regarding writing a position paper and helps you get well-prepared for your MUN experience!