Position Paper Submission

Submission deadline
You are expected to send in your position paper before the PelotasMun simulation. Once countries are assigned, you must submit your position paper by November 14. We highly recommend you to not exceed the deadline, as this will show your level of commitment with the matter in question and your fellow delegates.

Overall approach and understanding
A position paper is commonly used to describe a position (of your assigned country, intergovernmental organization or non-governmental organization) for a certain issue in a clear and concise way.

The position paper can be used as one of the steps in the delegation’s preparation, as they will have to compile the country’s policies and what it has done on the issue in question, including UN treaties and conventions.

Position papers are usually one to one-and-a-half pages in length. Your position paper should include a brief introduction followed by a comprehensive breakdown of your country’s position on the topics that are being discussed by the committee. A good position paper will not only provide facts but also make proposals for resolutions. The PelotasMUN will provide to the delegates a study guide to help in this task. Usually, the background guide will contain questions to consider. Make sure that your position paper answers these questions.

A good position paper will include:

  • A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the topic and committee;
  • How the issue affects your country;
  • Your country’s policies with respect to the issue and your country’s justification for these policies;
  • Actions taken by your government with regards to the issue;
  • UN actions that your country supported or opposed;
  • What your country believes should be done to address the issue;
  • What your country would like to accomplish in the committee’s resolution;
  • How the positions of other countries affect your country’s position.

You can find more instructions in our complete Rules of Procedure found in the Preparation menu.

Samples

  • Position Paper
  • Sample of a Draft Resolution SOCHUM
  • Sample of a Draft Resolution LEGAL COMMITTEE