MMUN Position Papers

Preparation

The position papers are the collective building blocks of an overall, national position for the conference. It will be the foundation for all negotiation and debate at the MMUN conference. Delegates are asked to write a position paper on each topic on the committee’s agenda. If they are working with a partner, they may each work individually on a single issue, but must be sure that their positions do not contradict each other in principle.

The delegation as a whole is responsible for both committee topics. (No matter the authorship of the position papers).

A position paper is one to two pages long and contains:

1. Background of the Problem

• Introduction of the country and its history, with a focus on the committee topics
• Relevance of the issue in the country.
• Country policies (and justification for these policies) with respect to the topics
• Quotes from the country’s leaders about the issue.

2. Past International Action:

• Conventions and resolutions signed or ratified by the country.
• UN actions that the country has supported or has opposed.
• Actions taken by the government with regard to the issue.
• Statistics to back up the country’s position on the issue.

3. Possible Solutions:

• What the country believes should be done to address the issue.
• What the country would like to accomplish in the committee’s resolution.

Understanding Issues & Developing Proposals

To help organize student thoughts before beginning the actual development of the position paper, we suggest using Problem and Solution Graphic Organizers which help students identify what issues face their country (politics) and how proposals can be made to end or solve the conflict (negotiations).

While students conduct their research, they can jot down the main and supporting ideas to be used when they begin writing their first drafts of their position papers. Then, the students identify the problem(s) that are facing their country based upon their research.

After identifying and explaining the problem (Who, What, Why), the students should list two attempted solutions and their results (based upon their sources).

Sample Graphic Organizer (based on the sample position paper – linked below)

Committee: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Montenegro

Resources

Click on the links below to download the following:

• MMUN Position Paper Checklist
• Montenegro – Position Paper Sample
• Researching and Writing Position Papers NEW RESOURCE! 

Additional Position Papers:

• Upper Elementary – Position Paper Sample 
• Middle School – Position Paper Sample

Position Paper Policy

Position papers are the way MMUN knows whether a delegate is prepared for the conference. Once a delegate is at a conference, there is no time or place for additional research. If a delegate is not prepared, then they will not be able to participate fully in negotiations, the heart of the committee session.

Thus, MMUN has implemented two policies to ensure the quality of the committee sessions:

• Bureau advanced review of position papers to ascertain whether additional research is required and to provide eventual feedback in a timely manner for the delegate to implement the improvements needed.
• Removal of any delegates which have failed to provide acceptable position papers by the relevant deadline from participation in committee sessions. These students will be demoted to Observer status and will not have voting rights in any committee sessions.

Position Paper Timeline

Submission Deadlines By Conference

Due Dates for submission of Position Papers is the same for both Middle School and Upper Elementary Students. The dates only vary by conference:

Questions

If you have questions, please contact us at info@nullmontessori-mun.org