By Matheus C. Bevilacqua
Position Papers
Position Paper
• Before you being writing, outline your facts and ideas so that the paper flows
logically.
• Make sure to edit position papers for grammatical mistakes before submitting
them!
• Remember that your proposed solutions should reflect your country’s position.
The solutions you propose should also be as original as possible, though you
should also acknowledge and suggest measures that strengthen solutions that
have already been implemented in other initiatives.
• Show the breadth of your research and your mastery of the facts. Include
references to specific dates, people, documents, and events.
• Try to write your resolution based on concrete measures with quantitative suggestions.
• Be realistic. Do not create objectives for your resolution that cannot be met. Make sure
your committee has the power to take the action suggested. For example, the General
Assembly can't sanction another country – only the Security Council can do so.
• Try to find co-submitters. Your committee will be more likely to approve the resolutions if
many delegates contribute ideas.
• Preambulatory clauses are justifications for the action. Use them to cite past resolutions,
precedents and statements about the purpose of action. Also utilize them to highlight the
importance of discussing the issue.
• Operative clauses are policies that the resolution is designed to create. Use them to
explain what the committee will do to address the issue.
Opening Speeches
Opening Speeches
• Usually first thing done in committee prior to lobbying
• Current situation
• Mention of past actions taken by the UN, members states, etc. to combat
problems
• Conclude with aims for debate (engaging discussion, productive debate, etc.)
• Concise
• Clear
• Constructive
• Critical
• Confident
• Passionate
Questions?