Position Papers
What is a position paper and when is it written?
A position paper is a short essay delegates write before the conference that explains their country’s stance on the issue at hand.
What are the 3 different parts of an Opening Speech?
1. Hook
2. Points (could be multiple)
3. Call to Action
A Moderated Caucus is...
Formal debate controlled by the chair, discusses a problem selected by the delegate and participated in by the delegates who choose to raise their placards
What are the 3 main parts of a Resolution?
- Heading
- Preambulatory clauses
- Operative clauses
Who is the chair and what do they do?
The chair accepts motions, keeps time, manages the speakers’ list, ensures delegates follow procedure, reads position papers, and announces everything that is happening. They also present awards.
What is the first thing you should start a position paper with?
The first thing you should start a position paper with is an introduction that gives some background context on the issue at an international level and clearly states your country's stance on it
Why should you pay attention to other countries' opening statements?
You can start planning who to work with based on their positions on the issue
An Unmoderated Caucus is...
A time to freely move around and discuss with delegates whom you may want to work with
What is a Bloc?
A bloc is a group of countries that work together because they share similar goals or political positions on an issue.
What is a committee?
Because the UN has many purposes and goals it is divided into committees.
E.g. UN Goal: To address global Human Rights Violations → Human Rights Council
Each committee focuses on very specific types of issues, and delegates represent assigned countries within that committee.
What is the second section you should include in a position paper?
A) Proposed solutions
B) Background of the issue
C) Your country’s relation to the topic
D) Key UN actions on the issue
Answer: C
You may:
- Present the policies your country has used to address the issue in the past
- Explain the results of those policies (both successes and failures)
- If your country has a strong link to the issue, focus on concrete examples showing that connection.
True or False: This is the only part of the debate that delegates are required to participate in?
True!
How do you know when the chair is ready to begin Moderated and Unmoderated caucuses?
The chair will say: "The floor is open for motions"
What is the difference between a sponsor and a signatory?
A sponsor is a delegate who worked on drafting the resolution, while signatories are delegates who only support and sign the resolution
When the chair calls attendance at the beginning of the conference, delegates have the option to say "present" or "present and voting." What is the difference?
Present: You can vote yes, no, or abstain on resolutions
Present and voting: You must vote yes or no on all resolutions proposed
What is the final section that a position paper must include?
A) Evaluation of other countries’ policies
B) Historical overview of the issue
C) Proposed solutions
D) Country’s past involvement in the issue
Answer: C
What are the 4 different types of Hooks you could use?
1. Question
2. Quote
3. Statistic
4. Story
What are the 3 things that can happen next once a Moderated Caucus ends?
Delegates can propose:
- To extend the current moderated caucus: If more discussion is needed on the same subtopic.
- To propose a new moderated caucus: On a different subtopic.
- To propose an unmoderated caucus
What is an Operative Clause
Operative clauses state the solutions that the sponsors of the resolution propose to address the issues.
E.g.
Calls upon the developed countries to provide low-cost, generic medicines for HIV/AIDS to North African countries;
In a hypothetical scenario, let's say your country is China at a conference about censorship. What is your role as a delegate?
Your role is to stay true to your country's real beliefs on the issue. You may:
- Emphasize the need for responsible "regulations" to prevent misinformation
- Defend the need for sovereignty when it comes to how countries decide to regulate the internet on a national level
- Emphasize aspects that could be seen as positive. For instance, access to Wi-Fi is completely free in China (with a lot of limitations, but they don't need to know that)
- Work with countries that have similar beliefs
Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Timely are all...
qualities your proposed solutions in a position paper must have (SMART)
What are the 3 things an Opening Speech should do?
- State your country’s stance on the issue.
- Highlight key problems your country wants to address.
- Propose general solutions
What are the 3 things you must say when proposing a Moderated or Unmoderated Caucus?
- The topic you wish to discuss
- The speaking time for each delegate
- Total time of intervention
What is a Preambulatory Clause?
They identify the set of issues your bloc wishes to address and the reasons why the committee is working on this issue.
Let’s say my bloc wants to address the issue of how HIV/AIDS has spread rapidly in North Africa.
Alarmed by the 17% increase in HIV/AIDS contraction among North African countries in the past five years,
What is the MUN conference procedure in order?
1) Position Papers (Before Conference)
2) Attendance/Opening Speeches
3) Moderated + Unmoderated Caucuses (switching back and forth as needed)
4) Blocs are formed
5) Draft Resolutions
6) Present Resolutions
7) Voting