edumun 2015 position papers. learning targets 1.learn how to research relevant information and...
TRANSCRIPT
EDUMUN 2015
Position Papers
Learning Targets
1. Learn how to research relevant information and reliable sources
2. Learn to organize ideas coherently
3. Learn to write professionally and effectively
Seminar Overview
1. What is a position paper?
2. Research 101
3. What is my country’s position?
4. How to organize a position paper
5. Solving the issue
6. Write professionally!
Be Sure to:• Take notes• Ask questions at the ends
of slides or during activities
What is a position paper?
All of the important information• Background on the issue and
past UN action• Your country’s stance • Statistics, speeches and relevant
factsYour ideas and solutions• Conclusions you draw from
your research • Your analysis of the issue
from your country’s point of view
• Your solutions and courses of action
Use it at a conference!• Forms the basis for speeches
and statements • Your ultimate reference• Quick facts and sources to
back up points• Your solutions and original
ideas
Research 101
Background information• Use your background
guide!• Look up past UN actions
and resolutions• Learn the history of your
issue and who’s involvedGet to know your country!• Learn your foreign policy• Learn your geopolitical
position• Find your allies and
adversaries
Use it at a conference!• Strong knowledge base
means you can participate in any conversation
• Your speeches will carry weight if you are well researched
What is my country’s position?Identify your stance • Look at your country’s
voting record and past actions
• Read speeches from government officials
• Look at internal actions on the issueVote with your bloc
• If your country isn’t involved, find out who your strongest allies are and support them
• Use your knowledge of your country’s greater values to find a position
Use it at a conference!• Connect with your allies!
Develop good relationships early
• Present your solutions and past successful actions
• Stay true to your foreign policy
Solving the issue!
Learn from the past• Look at relevant past UN
action and identify what has been successful and why
• Look to other national or smaller scale actions to find successful ideas
Foreign policy• Make sure your solutions
are consistent with actions your country has taken or supported
Be creative• You should be
well researched on your issue by now, so don’t be afraid to propose your own solutions and original ideasBe thorough
• Address every aspect of your issue with your ideas
How to organize a position paper
1 -Topic Background• Include important history of the
issue and projected future• Don’t make this too long
3 –Your Position• Your country’s stance on the
issue• Actions your country has taken
or supported (internal or international)
2 –Past UN Action• Find past plans and attempted
solutions to the issue• Don’t just list resolutions –
discuss their successes and failures
4 –Solutions/Conclusion• Present meaningful solutions
that haven’t been tried before • Stay consistent with your foreign
policy • Feel free to include your original
thinking and ideas
Write professionally!
Tone and Flow• Your position paper should
come off as respectful and neutral
• The ideas should flow coherently
• Include transitions • Write conciselyWord choice• Speak in the third person• Vary word choice (don’t use
international 20 times) and sentence structure
• Use impressive words if they add to the paper
Pro tips• Create a works cited page
for your own reference and anyone who questions your information
• Statistics and quotes add a professional and practical element to your paper
• Write as though you are an actual UN delegate
Position Paper Drill!
We’ll take 10 minutes to write quick papers on the topic: Chocolate or Vanilla?
Time: (15 minutes)
Activity Steps• Use the position paper format – Topic info, Past UN
action, (you’ll have to make it up) your stance, and your solution to this age old conflict
• Don’t worry, this should just be a fun way to get acquainted with the format
• We’ll briefly debate afterwards
Reflection1. Learn how to research
relevant information• Learn your country,
foreign policy, and issue and how they all fit together
2. Learn to organize ideas coherently• An effective paper will
include topic background, UN action, your country’s position, and propose solutions
3. Learn to write professionally and effectively• You should be concise,
direct, neutral, and respectful
Questions?
EDUMUN 2015
Thank you for your time!