Model UN: Position Paper
Committee: The Arab League
Writing a position paper
Introduction:
Writing a position paper might seem a daunting task, especially for new delegates. But with plenty of research, you will find that writing a position paper will be straight forward and very useful in preparation for the conference.
Position papers are usually about one page long (typed size 10/11 font). Your position paper needs to include a brief introduction about why the situation in Syria is an important issue in your country, followed by a comprehensive breakdown of your country’s position on arms with associated problems and issues. A good position paper will provide facts and statistical information about the situation in Syria and its impacts in your country and also state what action your country is already taking on the issue. Finally you will put forward suggested strategies for the international community.
1. A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the topic and committee:
- how the issue affects your country
- Your country’s policies with respect to the issue and your country’s justification for their policies
- quotes from your country’s leader’s about the issue
- statistics to support your country’s position on the issue
2.Actions taken by your government on the issue
- conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified that relate to the issue
3. UN actions that your country supported or opposed
- what your country believes should be done to address the issue
4. What your country would like the international community to do
- what your could achieve in the committee’s resolution
- how the positions of other countries affect your country
Name of Country:
Committee:
Delegate name
School: / Key words:
Opening paragraph
Introduction and importance of the topic
1. Why is the situation inSyria animportant for the Arab League to address?
2. Why is the situation in Syria an important issue for your country?
3. What is yourcountry’s policy onthis issue? / Deteriorating security conditions.
Civilians / Death toll / Injuries
Human rights abuses
End to violence
Demonstrations / pro-Democracy
Uprising / Opposition groups
Government / Oppression
Millennium Development Goals
Strategic trade location
Reignite armed conflict
Refugees
Economic and political instability
Deterioration of the economy
Pro – democracy, pro- human rights position.
Government position
Pro-regime / pro- democracy
opposition Syrian National Council
human rights supporting states
condemnedviolations and use of force
expressed support for security measures
Will / not interfere in Syria's internal affairs. Will support / will not support sanctions
Second paragraph
National actions
1.What actionshas your countrytaken on the issue on a nationallevel? / Expressed support for Assad
Condemned the use of violence
Suggestedmajor reforms
Diplomacy
Draft resolution
Energy sanctions
Isolationism and non-intervention
Third paragraph
International actions
1. How has yourcountry
addressed theissue on an
internationallevel?
2. What actionshas your countrytaken about the
issue on aninternational
level?
3. What treatiesand/or resolutionshas your countrysupported on thisissue?
4. Whatorganisations thataddress this issueis your country amember of?
5. Do you havequotes from
Governmentofficials on the
topic? / UN- Arab League six-point peace plan (brokered by Kofi Annan)
Diplomacy
Draft resolution
Economic sanctions
Energy sanctions
Isolationism and non-intervention
Oppose regime change / free from external interference block resolutions
Support international military intervention
UNSC Resolution 2043 (2012)
Resolution 2042 (2012)
Geneva Conventions I, II, III, IV 1949
Additional Protocol I, II , III 2005
General – UDHR, The Arab Charter on Human Rights, UNCRC, Covenant on the rights of child in Islam, ICCPR 1966, CAT 1984
NATO, UNSMIS , UNHCR, THF, OIC, WFP, UNICEF, UNFAO, UNWFP, IOM,
NGOs – ICRC,Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group
Government spokesman / official policy official briefing / comment
Fourth paragraph
Recommended actions
1. What would your country like to see the United Nations do toaddress thisproblem?
2. What role or responsibilityshould theUnited Nations take to address thisproblem? / Peaceful resolution and political transition. Prevent flow of arms into Syria Immediate end to violence. Violators of human rights to be held accountable. Building institutional capacity, cooperation and international assistance
Solutions based on existing international law. Sanctions mechanisms. Regime change. Military intervention. Free elections. Democratic mandate.