Position Papers

General Guidelines and Expectations

SUBMISSION DEADLINE #1: Sunday, April 20 (11:59 pm EST) for feedback

SUBMISSION DEADLINE #2 (Final): Wednesday, May 14 (11:59 pm EST) for awards consideration

A position paper is a key precursor to the conference. It is a written document that outlines your position (for example, as a country, individual or entity) and stance on the specific topics which will be discussed in your committee. Papers have a dual purpose, providing both external and internal benefits. They do not only outwardly demonstrate to your Director that you have engaged in proper preparation for the conference and are capable of analyzing complex societal issues, but also serve as key resources for you to use during the conference. Delegates should use their position papers to guide themselves and their actions during committee. You should effectively advocate for your outlined interests and act in such a way which is consistent with your position paper. Often, delegates will utilize the ideas mentioned in their papers as the foundation for speeches, debate, negotiation and document-writing during committee.

Positions papers are mandatory for all delegates. If you do not submit them by the final May 14th deadline, you will not be eligible for any awards regardless of your participation in the conference.

However, outstanding position papers will be considered for Best Position Paper awards. This prize is selective, and only one (1) is given per committee. Successful position papers possess demonstrated quality research, innovative solutions, as well as exceptional organization, execution and clarity. Successful position papers are often those which have been refined after receiving director feedback. Thus, it is recommended for delegates to submit drafts early for revision purposes.

  • Delegates should write 1 position paper for each topic in their committee. Each position paper should be 1 page long, single-spaced, in Times New Roman size 12, with 1-inch margins.

    Language: English

    • Exceção: Comisión de Población y Desarrollo (CPD - en español) y Transición a la democracia, Chile 1988 (Specialized - en español)

    Font: Times New Roman, 12-point

    Spacing: Single spaced

    Margins: 1-inch on all sides

    Amount: You must write 1 position paper for every topic in your committee. If you are submitting more than one position paper, please do so as one attachment. Position papers submissions that only contain one topic will be considered incomplete and will not be eligible for awards.

    For example, if you are in the CSW committee, you will have to write two position papers (2 pages total): one for “Topic 1: Gender Based Violence,” and one for “Topic 2: Combatting Human Trafficking and Forced Labor.”

    Heading: When you start a position paper, please include the following in the upper left corner of the page.

    Committee:

    Topic:

    Delegate Name:

    Position:

  • The paper should essentially address the past, present and future of your position in the context of your committee. To begin, introduce your position (as a country, individual or entity) and explain what measures it has undertaken in the past to respond to the issue to be discussed. Make sure to also elaborate upon the motivations behind such actions and the impact of these, if any. Next, consider the current situation of your position and its connection to the committee issue. What are some challenges that you foresee? What are some present priorities? Which core areas of the problem should be addressed in committee? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, detail what creative, innovative solutions your position might implement in committee. What are your future objectives? How will your proposed actions achieve those goals and resolve the committee issue in question?

    A successful position paper will answer the following key questions, among others:

    • What is the problem being presented? Why is it important, and who is being affected?

    • What is the current situation of the issue? What are some challenges?

    • What past actions have been undertaken by your position in response to this issue? Have these actions been effective? What impact have they had, if any?

    • When it comes to your committee issue, what are your priorities and future goals?

    • What plans, initiatives or solutions will you implement during committee in order to achieve your goals?

    • Where do you stand in relation to other delegates? Are there opportunities for bloc formation and collaboration? Which delegates could potentially support your ideas, and which could oppose them?

    • Use your committee topic guide as a starting point. This is important! For instance, many of the queries mentioned in the “Questions to Consider” sections are ones which you want to address in your position paper.

    • Cite any sources you use in MLA format. Please use in-text citations instead of footnotes. Also, include a bibliography at the end of your position paper.

    • Each double-delegation, which has two people, only needs to submit one set of position papers. Both delegates can work together on it.

Sample Position Papers

Please see this sample position paper which satisfies all basic position paper requirements, yet also shows exemplary execution and depth of analysis.

Please see this sample position paper which does not satisfy conference requirements, as well as explain why this is the case. It will include feedback and commentary on its flaws.

Position Papers Submission

To submit your position paper, please click on the button with your committee name, and you will have access to your submission form. Please use this form to send your paper for both feedback and for final submission. You should expect feedback within two weeks of submission.

If you already sent your position paper once, you do not need to re-send it to your Director. However, if you already received feedback and want to re-send a revised version of your position paper to your Director, you can do so via email.