1. Writing MUN Position Papers Tufts MUN

2. Part 1: READ THE NEWS!!!
If you don’t already, start reading the news every single day.
Pay special attention to international affairs, especially if the UN is involved
Good sources
Please make sure to read a reputable news source. Good services on the internet include: NY
The
The Times
Washington

3. Part 2: Research Three steps Research your country Research the issues
Research the UN organ/agency

4. Country
Good sources:
BBC News Country Profiles ault.stm
CIA World Factbook
The Economist Country Briefings
Governments on the WWW:
Links to official gov’t websites – may not be in English

5. Issues Sources: For sources on specific issues:
Issues facing the
The Avalon Project at
Foreign
Foreign
For sources on specific issues:
&b=458795

6. Organ/Agency Sources: UN System – Not UN system –
Organizational Chart of the UN System
Not UN system –
Links to various international organizations (NATO, OPEC, G77,
8791

7. Part 3: Writing the Position Paper
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;
Quotes from your country’s leaders, statistics and/or precedent that backs up your country’s position
Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified;
UN actions that your country supported or opposed.

8. …and most importantly
What your country believes should be done to address the issue;
What your country would like to accomplish in the committee’s resolution
Also make sure it is organized into sections completely devoted to ONE particular topic.
If you use statistics or quotes - CITE THEM

9. The following information must be at the top, e.g.:
Committee: United Nations Development Program
Topic: Palestinian Development
Country: Kingdom of Spain
Delegate: Andreas Vindenes

10. Part 4: Speech!
You will have to read the position paper out loud as an opening statement.
Hence, it should flow well and be well organized
Use language that you won’t have trouble actually speaking
i.e. resist the urge to stuff your paper full of SAT vocab words

11. Part 5: Your folder (optional but recommended)
Use the research you’ve gathered while writing your position paper to create a folder/binder full of information that could be useful to you during the conference.
Not only will it help to have a reference if you need to look something up, it also is a nice intimidation tactic (you look well prepared)