Position Papers

For Delegates 

Once you have completed your preliminary research, you are ready to draft your position paper. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant committee background guide, AUMUN requires delegates to submit a one-page, single-spaced position paper. Each position paper consists of three fundamental sections: your views on your country’s national interests, your country’s national policies, and potential solution components.

National interests represent what a country desires to see in the world. These interests are generally non-negotiable; instead, they are often idealized goals or specific philosophies on how global issues should be resolved. National policies are the concrete attempts and strategies a country employs to secure its national interests. These policy positions are typically open to negotiation. Your views on potential solution components are your direct responses to the "Proposed Solutions" and "Questions a Resolution Must Answer" sections found in your Background Guide. While these sections allow for flexibility, you must keep your country’s interests in mind. Potential solutions must be consistent with your country’s national interests and existing national policies.

Writing a position paper benefits you in several ways. The academic staff reads and summarizes position papers to gauge the committee's potential direction and identify well-prepared delegates. Most importantly, writing a position paper forces you to synthesize your research and helps you express your ideas concisely and clearly, ensuring you are fully prepared for the conference.

The structure of position papers aims to provide a clear picture of a country’s stance on a specific topic area. Delegates can find further formatting guidelines, sample position papers, templates, and additional information in the Background Guides and the Delegate Preparation Manual. Committees with two agenda items must address both topics within a single page.

Key Tips for Delegates:

Keep it Objective: Write in the third person (e.g., "The Republic of France believes..." instead of "I believe...").

Be Concise: Quality is more important than quantity. Focus on clear policies and pragmatic solutions.

Formatting: Use a formal font (like Times New Roman, 12pt) and include your Country, Committee, and Topic at the top of the page.

Note: Please submit your Position Papers to your respective Committee Directors via email before the deadline.

To sum up:

A Position Paper is a concise document that outlines your assigned country’s or character's official stance on the committee’s agenda items. It serves as your roadmap for the conference, helping you organize your research and prepare for debates.

Structure of a Strong Position Paper:

An effective position paper should be no longer than one or two pages per topic and typically consists of three main paragraphs:

1. Background of the Issue: A brief introduction to the topic and why it is a pressing global concern.

2. Country Policy & Past Actions: What is your country's historical and current stance on this issue? Mention any relevant UN treaties your country has signed, domestic laws, or past actions taken.

3. Proposed Solutions: This is the most crucial part. What realistic and actionable solutions does your country propose to resolve the issue? These ideas will form the basis of your speeches and draft resolutions during the conference.