Position Paper Guidelines

A position paper is a brief overview, which clearly outlines the delegate's strategy vis-à-vis the committee issues and the country that is being represented. They are used by the committee chairs to measure the degree of readiness of the committee but also allows delegates to have a preliminary outline for their research. Most importantly however, a position paper serves as an important organiser from which the delegate may maintain consistent direction.

A position paper is required from all delegates. Here are a few guidelines that will allow you to build your position paper.

1. All position papers must have a minimum length of 1 page and a maximum of 2 pages, single-space. The typing must be in "Times New Roman" at a 10 point size.

2. Properly identify your position paper. On the top left corner, write which country you are representing and on the top right corner identify the name of your school. It is not necessary to put your name anywhere because you will be known throughout the conference as your country's name rather than your own.

3. Write the name of your committee at the centre and underline it. Since your delegation will be sending all the position papers at one time, it is important for the conference staff to be able to readily identify each one and give it to the appropriate dais.

4. The first sentence of a position paper will basically use the following formula: "The issues before (your committee name) are: (list all the topics to be discussed in the position paper).

5. Number the topics and write the topic title in bold, centre and underline it.

6. The actual body of the paragraphs on the topic should contain the following elements.

• A general sentence clearly stating the country's position.
• An elaboration of the position (may include quotes from the UN charter, agreements the country has ratified or any other international document which might be relevant to the topic).
• References to the country's past experiences with the topic if applicable.
• And a conclusion restating the position on the topic.

7. After having treated all topics, it is not necessary to have a conclusion paragraph.

8. Always remember that the use of the first person should not be used when discussing a position. Use such expressions as: "our government", "our country", "our nation", the country name etc.

9. Long essay type position papers in which the delegate rewrites the history of the nation are counter-productive. A simple organizer that is to the point is best.

10. Here is a sample position paper for your reference.

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Position paper for the General Assembly Sixth Committee

The issues before the General Assembly Sixth Committee are: Economic Sanctions and Human Rights; the Impact of Customary Law on State Sovereignty.

1. Economic Sanctions and Human Rights

The Republic of Venezuela strongly believes that economic sanctions are a direct infringement of the guiding principles of the United Nations Charter. Our government strongly disapproves of economic and social restrictions imposed on States by other states, as we believe that they only add to the pressures and pain imposed on an already tremendously suffering and vulnerable population. The Republic of Venezuela believes that economic sanctions do not have a valid impact on the very system that they are seeking to change and that, on the contrary, they infringe on the principles of the sovereign equality of States.

Our country strongly supports and encourages the implementation of democratic governments throughout Latin America and throughout the world. In agreement with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which clearly states in article 25 (1) that "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services (…)" and with the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Venezuela condemns the creation of embargoes on States by other States.

Our nation strongly believes that peaceful, diplomatic solutions should be found to have an effective impact on governments who are in direct or indirect violation of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and of international agreements and whose political situation and/or actions violate the international order. We support the idea of peaceful conflict resolution in both Cuba and Iraq's case in order to minimize the amount of human suffering. Thus, Venezuela reaffirms its opposition to the use of economic sanctions as they clearly violate human rights.

2. The Impact of Customary Law on State Sovereignty

Our government has always felt strongly about State sovereignty and about the importance for States to have control of domestic matters. As we firmly agree with the value of treaties which protect human rights and provide security for Member States, we also believe that a country is the sole possessor of the right to determine what legislation will best benefit its population on matters such as nuclear weapons possession and testing.

Venezuela does not believe that a nation is bound to conform to a treaty it has not signed or ratified as mentioned in the Vienna Convention, article 34: "A treaty does not create either obligations or rights for a Third State without its consent." The Republic of Venezuela does not believe that the United Nations has the mandate to intervene in domestic and internal affairs as mentioned in the United Nations Charter, article 2 (7): "Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the UN to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter (…)"

Venezuela believes that the United Nations would greatly benefit from the clarification of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter which states: "Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense is an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security." We believe the United Nations Charter is unclear on the subject of the legality of possessing nuclear weapons. We believe that the United Nations does not have the right to infringe on the sovereignty of states and cannot force a country to conform to a treaty it has not agreed upon.