Position Papers

Students are only recommended to write a position paper on both topics of their committee, as there is no formal requirement. Position papers should be no more than one single-spaced page for each topic (2 pages plus an MLA bibliography at the end). Each position paper should have three sections for each topic:

History of the topic: The first section of your papers should discuss the background of the topic. This section should not merely be a re-statement of your background guide. Instead, it should elaborate on the issue as your country sees it. According to your nation, what are the fundamental issues at hand? What are the major problems that need to be discussed? Why have these problems arisen?
History of your country’s position on the topic: The next section should explain your nation’s specific history with the topic, explaining and assessing the various solutions that your country has explored. What actions has your country taken to address this problem? How has your country voted on previous UN resolutions on this topic? What general positions have you taken in the past? Which actions have been successful for your nation, and in what areas is further improvement needed? What similar situations has your country had to deal with? Think of a position paper as essentially an outline for your ideas and goals as a country. Therefore, you should use focus your paper on the goals that your nation is willing and prepared to pursue throughout the conference. This will be key in setting your stance towards the rest of committee. Remember you want the result and decision of the committee to be as according to your plan and as favorable for you country as possible.
Proposed solutions to the topic: The final portion of your paper should discuss the various solutions that your nation would like the UN to consider. How do you feel the UN should address this issue? What specific actions would you like to see taken? What solutions would you support in a resolution? What remedies does your country oppose? Furthermore, how will your nation’s specific stance on this issue match up with other countries’ positions? Make sure to reference the “questions a resolution must answer” section of your background guide in this section of your paper.

Sample Position paper

Position Paper Writing Guide

A few tips for writing a position paper:

Each subsequent paragraph should be longer than the one before it, with the solutions paragraph spanning about one-half of the paper
Use the third person when referring to your country’s stance (e.g. The UAE believes this topic is important to address because…)
Look at the key questions in your committee’s background guide as a way to start your research and brainstorm potential solutions

ILMUNC will send out a form to all faculty advisors for delegates to submit position papers. Position Papers must be submitted by Sunday, January 19th at 11:59PM.