How to Write a Position Paper

POSITION PAPER
 

Once you have completed your preliminary research, you are ready to write your position paper. All delegates are required to write one single-spaced page paper for each topic area (e.g., Security (Balance of Power), Legitimacy, or Compensation).  The structuring of the Position Paper is intended to elicit responses from the delegates that provide a clear picture of a nation’s stance on a particular topic area.  Writing your Position Paper should make you think about the information you have researched and help you to express ideas concisely and clearly, making you better prepared for the conference.

 

By providing an outline, I hope that delegates will be able to illustrate clear knowledge of their country’s policies and interests instead of simply regurgitating historical data.  A Position Paper should include three sections, outlined below:

 

A. Background of the Topic

 

· In your country’s opinion, what are the main elements of the problem?

 

· What are the roots of those elements?

 

B. Position taken by your delegation

 

· What are your national interests in the situation?

· National interests are what a country would like to see happen in the world.  These interests are not subject to compromise, but instead generally idealized goals or methods of solving specific problems.

 

· What are your nation’s policies on the topic?

· National policies are the country’s attempts to secure its interests.  These policy positions are usually open to negotiation.

 

· What steps would you like to see taken to deal with the problem?

· Your opinions on actions you can or cannot support (on potential resolution components).  Highlight the steps your country would you like to see taken to deal with the problem.  Although these sections provide flexibility, you need to keep in mind the interests of your nation. Possible resolutions must be consistent with your country's national interests and current national policies.

 

C. Justification

 

· What are your main reasons for supporting these positions?

 

· What do you predict will be the main opposition to your proposals?

 

Position Papers should roughly adhere to the following form, with the Country, the Committee, and the Topic included at the top.

 

Please limit each topic area to one single-spaced typed page as best as you can.

SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

Topic:  China on the Invasion of Ethiopia by Italian Forces (1935):

A.  In the past year, the nations of Italy and Ethiopia have been hurling an onslaught of recriminations and accusations against each other. A bitter conclusion to this verbal conflict is now the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. This marks the beginning of a new phase of this issue. This phase must be terminated quickly and efficiently to preserve the rights of sovereign nations against unprovoked aggression. Last December, Italian and Ethiopian troops engaged in battle at Walwal on a disputed section of the Ethiopian Somaliland frontier. While the Italian head-of-state Benito Mussolini demanded an apology and reparations, the Ethiopian leader, Emperor Haile Selassie I came to us, the League of Nations insisting that an investigation take place to determine the issue of responsibility.  It is clear to this delegation that Italy is invading Ethiopia in part, due to their previous defeat at the hands of the Ethiopians at the Battle of Adowa in 1896.

B.  Although no major battles have taken place at this time, the Italian Air Force is attacking with full might, and Ethiopia is accusing Italy of indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets and the use of biological warfare by means of chlorine gas.  Meanwhile, Italian troops are advancing slowly toward the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.  These facts clearly lay the blame upon Italy, who maintains that their invasion is intended to “restore order.”  China despises the use of biological warfare, and the meaningless assault on innocent civilians.  China desires for Italy to immediately cease all offensive actions, and remove all troops from Ethiopian territory.  Furthermore, China calls on the League of Nations to organize a commission to fully investigate the issue.  We would support world-wide economic sanctions against Italy if they refuse.

C.  Upon this basis, the nation of China stands to charge the state of Italy with a violation of the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, which declares war to be unlawful, and of League of Nations charter, which states that the intention of the League of Nations is: (1) to promote international cooperation, and (2) to maintain peace by settling disputes peacefully and reducing armaments.  Although all nations are suffering through a Great Depression, failure to address unprovoked and unjust hostilities against sovereign states will only lead to further violence and a destabilization of the world order.

  (Source: Evan Rosenberg and Dan Snyder)

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