POSITION PAPERS

General rules and guidelines

What is a Position Paper?

A position paper is your delegate’s blueprint for success at the conference. It is a mandatory document that defines your stance on each committee topic and guides your actions throughout the simulation. It serves two major purposes:

  • Externally: Shows your Director that you’ve done your research and are prepared to engage.

  • Internally: Helps you organize your ideas, stay consistent in debate, and draft impactful speeches, draft resolutions and directives.

Reminder: Delegates who fail to submit their papers by the final deadline will not be eligible for any awards, regardless of in-committee performance.

What Makes a Strong Position Paper?

Exceptional position papers are those that:

  • Provide quality research and a deep understanding of the issue

  • Offer innovative, realistic solutions

  • Display strong organization, clarity, and logical flow

  • Align with the interests and historical actions of your delegation

    Reference the committee topic guide and key international developments

Best Position Paper Award: Presented to one delegate per committee, this award recognizes outstanding achievement in research, originality of thought, and clarity of execution. It honors the delegate whose position paper demonstrates exceptional understanding of the topic, innovative ideas, and a strong foundation for debate.

Formatting Requirements

Language: English

Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt

Spacing: Single-spaced

Margins: 1-inch on all sides

Length: 1 page per topic

Format: .doc/.docx or PDF

Submission: Submit all papers as one file attachment

*Required Heading (Top Left Corner of Each Page):
Committee:
Topic:
Delegate Name:
Position:

Structure & Content Breakdown

Your position paper should follow a clear structure covering past, present, and future perspectives. Think of it as a strategic narrative:

1. Introduction and Historical Background

  • Identify your country, character, or entity

  • What is your historical involvement with this issue?

  • What actions has your position taken in the past? Why?

  • Were those actions successful? What was their impact?

2. Current Situation & Analysis

  • What is your current stance or policy on the topic?

  • What challenges does your position face?

  • What priorities must be addressed urgently?

  • How does the issue affect your delegation internally or globally?

3. Goals and Proposed Solutions

  • What are your future objectives in this committee?

  • Propose practical, creative, and achievable solutions

  • How do these plans align with your values or past efforts?

  • Who might be your allies or opponents in committee?

  • How do you plan to build coalitions or blocs?

Key Questions to Guide Writing

  • What is the problem and why does it matter?

  • Who is being affected, and how?

  • What is your delegation’s stake in this issue?

  • What past actions have you taken—and with what results?

  • What is your strategy moving forward?

  • How can your proposed ideas be implemented in realistic terms?

Who can you work with to advance your objectives?

Research & Citation Requirements

  • All sources must be cited using MLA citations

  • Include a bibliography at the end of the document

Final Checklist Before Submission

  • One full page per topic covered

  • Correct formatting and heading

  • Strong argument backed by historical and current facts

  • Clear, actionable solutions

  • MLA in-text citations and bibliography

  • All papers submitted in one file

Write with purpose. Debate with confidence. Lead with clarity.