Position Paper Writing
Lassiter Model UN
Due:
- Rough Draft—Tuesday, 10/25 (printed copy)
- Final Draft—Friday, 10/28 (emailed to me!!!!)
A single position paper should review the topics for a given committee and be no more than 2 single-sided pages in length. On each topic, the delegate should explore the background of the situation and explain their state's position on the topic.
General Guidelines:
Format requirements for position papers submitted to GSUMUN are as follow:
1. Single spaced
2. Font must be in Times New Roman font and sized between 11-12 point font
3. Margins must be kept at 1” on all four sides
4. Paper must NOT exceed 2 pages on which 3 topics should appear (please view sample
position paper on next page)
5. Committee and country name must appear at the top of the paper, centered
alignment
6. Citations should appear as footnotes using MLA style
7. Each committee's position paper labeled as such: "COMMITTEE NAME_COUNTRY
NAME" (ex. UNESCO_Russian Federation)
Position Paper Overview:
Position papers provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate what you know about the topics and your country. It should include the following components:
- Historical context of the topic with regards to your country’s past policies and positions
- Current state of affairs regarding this topic within your country’s policies
- What your country has proposed/what has been done in the past
- Possible solutions to the problem
Position papers should include footnote citation (including book, article, or website)
------Example------
People’s Republic of China
General Assembly 1st
I: Fighting Illicit Trade and Trafficking of Nuclear Material
China has been at the forefront of nuclear nonproliferation, and consequently, the increased security of nuclear material. After joining the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984, China has adhered to strict security protocol.[1] Also, after signing onto the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1992, China released a series of resolutions for the upcoming review conference. Among these resolutions is a call to member nations to withdraw all nuclear material stored outside each individual country.[2] The effective withdraw of such nuclear materials will eliminate a rather elementary security risk immediately. However, China was disappointed by the international community in their determination to enact full-scope safeguards on all nuclear materials in the 2000 NPT Review Conference.[3] China had enjoyed a profitable (to both parties) trade of select nuclear technology with Pakistan for some years before the safeguards were put into place. China believes that limited-scope safeguards would be adequate to promote security to all nuclear materials, yet still allow some nations to have access to the wealth of nuclear power. It is impossible to create a nuclear fission bomb directly with nuclear power material, so this is not a significant security concern.[4] This movement towards limited-scope safeguards does not, however, indicate a lack of concern pertaining to nuclear security. China helped to create the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, along with being an engaged member in the Conference on the Security of Radioactive Sources.[5] In response to the lack of consensus from the 2005 Review Conference[6], China hopes that this does not show a trend towards a lack of diplomacy in the field of the security of nuclear material. The cooperation of the international community is necessary in order to properly secure all nuclear materials and, eventually, to ensure nonproliferation. As it relates to specific security measures needed in order to ensure security, China believes that the existing IAEA standards are adequate for providing impenetrable security to the specific nuclear materials. In response to the possible security concern posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the questionable nature of Iran’s nuclear program, China believes these are matters which are better investigated by the IAEA and, if proved necessary, the Security Council.
[1]“The Role of Host Countries: the Cost and Impact of Hosting Refugees,” Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme,
[2]“Statement by Ms. Zhang Dan, Counselor of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations, at the Security Council Open Briefing on the Question of Refugees,” People’s Republic of China United Nations Delegation,
[3]“Position Paper of the People’s Republic of China at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,” People’s Republic of China United Nations Delegation,
[4]“The Numbers,” The United Nations,