POSITION PAPER GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

A position paper is what its name suggests: a paper in which a Member

State or Observer sets out its position on a set of topics. For National
Model United Nations (NMUN), delegates are asked to submit a position
paper on the topics that are outlined in their Committee Background Guide.
Although position papers are short – only two pages – they are a critical
part of preparing for a MYI-MUN 3.0 conference.

Your position paper must be comprised of entirely original writing.

MYI-MUN 3.0 will not tolerate plagiarism, which includes copying directly
from the Committee Background Guides provided to delegates. Violation of
this policy may result in dismissal from the conference.

WHAT IS POSITION PAPER ? AND ITS RELEVANCE

The purpose of a position paper is to generate support on an issue. It

describes a position on an issue and the rational

for that position. The position paper is based on facts that provide a solid
foundation for your argument. position paper you should:

• Use evidence to support your position, such as statistical evidence or

dates and events.

• Validate your position with authoritative references or primary source

quotations.

• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of your position.

• Evaluate possible solutions and suggest courses of action.

RESEARCHING AND WRITING POSITION PAPER

Getting to Know Your Committee and Your Topics!

All delegates should have a thorough understanding of their respective

committee. Delegates need to understand the history; governance,
structure, and membership; mandate, functions, and powers; and

recent sessions and current priorities of the committee. Excellent resources

for learning more about your committee include the Committee Overview
section of the Committee Background Guide; your committee’s website;
other UN resources, including the UN System Chart; and books and
scholarly articles. Important past decisions or resolutions of your committee
often shed important light on its powers, the types of actions it takes, and
the methods by which it acts. In addition, you may consider contacting the
headquarters of your committee and requesting specific information on
your topics.In order to accurately and effectively simulate the committee
and understand your role within it, a clear

understanding of the mandate of the body, or what your committee was

established to accomplish and what it realistically can do, is essential. This
will also make the work of the

committee easier, as the work of the committee will be naturally limited in

scope according to the mandate. Delegates must ensure that

they have a thorough understanding of the following:

• Foundational documents of the committee (the resolution(s) that

established the body, as well as

its foundational governing document, such as a charter or treaty); •

Evolution and changes in the mandate over time;
• Other key international documents that underpin the mandate.

Please go through the following instructions:

1. It should be in MS word, font size 12

2. Font should be Calibri

3. In the header, there should be committee, country and agenda

mentioned 4. There should be four paragraphs showing:

a. Introduction and country's stance

b. What your country is doing regarding the agenda

c. What your Committee and other international organizations are

doing regarding the agenda

d. Possible solutions

5. In the footer, mention the references (full url required)

6. Country flag or Coat of Arms may be used or watermarked

7. Position paper should be one page only (with references)

8.You can even submit a paragraph if you couldn't submit an entire

page

POSITION PAPER DOs AND DONTs

●​ Do use headings to separate the main parts of your paper.

●​ Do use the Classical Oration format.
●​ Do not label the headings with the Latin Classical Terms.
●​ Do keep a professional tone. Don’t have enthusiasm, excitement, sarcasm, anger in your
voice.
●​ Don’t have a solution that costs money.
 ●​ ……unless you state a viable, researched plan for providing that money.
●​ Don’t claim that your idea will improve citizen morale.
●​ ……unless you have researched data as evidence to support your claim.
●​ Don’t use the word “moral” when you mean “morale”.
●​ Do present and solve a problem for the state/country/world. Do convince your audience
that there is a problem. Do convince your readers that you have a solution and that it will
work.
●​ Don’t present a problem without backing it up with data and research as evidence that it
is a problem. What are its consequences? How does it negatively affect the
state/country/world’s goals?
●​ Don’t offer a solution without backing it up with data and research as evidence that it
will actually work. How will it positively affect the state/country/world’s goals?

BODY OF POSITION PAPER

Body:

The body is a summary of your country’s position in response to your committee’s sub-topics. Your
paper should use subheadings to convey your country’s concerns and ideas. Remember, a good
position paper will not only provide facts but also make suggestions for resolutions to the ongoing
problem.

Each position paper should cover many of these points:

●​ A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the topic;
●​ How the issue currently impacts your country;
●​ Your country’s policies concerning the issue and your country’s justification for these policies;
●​ Quotes from your country’s leadership about the issue;
●​ Statistics to support your country’s position on the issue;
●​ Actions taken by your government about the issue;
●​ Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified;
●​ 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;
●​ How the positions of other countries affect your country’s position.
 POSITION PAPER

Committee – UNICEF
Agenda – Protecting the most vulnerable children from the impact of COVID-19 Country-
Australia
________________________________________________________________________
“By investing in the needs of the children of emergencies, their health, their protection, their
education — we are investing in the future of their societies.”
—Henrietta H. Fore (UNICEF Executive Director)
The outbreak of COVID-19 not only had massive negative consequences but also affected the
physical, social and mental well-being of billions of children worldwide, which will have a long
lasting impact. The pandemic has aggravated the pre-existing problems like malnutrition, sexual
abuse, exploitation, diseases, illiteracy, violence, child abuse, poor sanitation and living
conditions etc. Children who are refugees, internally displaced, disabled, orphan, migrant or
living in conflict-affected areas are the most exposed to vulnerabilities. Closure of schools has
impacted 1.5 billion children worldwide. According to W.H.O, 300 million children aged between
2- 4 are victims of psychological violence. By the end of 2020, 36 million children may go
hungry whereas 117 million children will be pushed into monetary poverty. The pandemic has
disrupted UNICEF's SDG 2030 and 2018- 2021 Strategic Plan. The prevailing condition calls
for awareness, solidarity and immediate actions.
As of 22nd September, UNICEF has received US$1.12 billion and is working hard to create
awareness and provide information about hand washing and sanitation, supplying PPE kits
including gowns, masks, goggles and gloves, and other essential supplies. UNICEF has also
distributed emergency education kits and distance learning opportunities and is supporting
affected children with psychological counseling in 155 countries. Australia has donated US$8
million dollars to UNICEF for combating COVID-19.
The Australian government has delivered$17.6 billion economic support package, $2.4 billion
health package and $669 million to expand Medicare Services for access to quality healthcare
at home. 74$ million has been granted to support mental wellbeing of citizens, 48.1 million has
been provided for ‘National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan’. Apart from
that prescribed medicines are home delivered, state and territory authorities have opened fever
clinics. The Australian government is delivering support to victims of domestic, family and
sexual violence. Across Australia children are returning to schools by maintaining physical
distancing. It will help children improve their mental condition which had deteriorated the
lockdown.
Adhering to the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and SDG 2030, the Delegate of Australia
would like to propose the following solutions –
EDUCATION- A separate fund must be made to help the students who can’t afford digital
learning. Schools that have reopened must follow physical distancing, use masks and sanitizers
to protect children from getting infected.
FINANCE- Governments must launch financial-aid-packages for financially weaker families so
that children and not forced into poverty, child labor, etc.
NUTRITION- Essential food ration kits must be provided every month to economically weak
people. NGOs must distribute food packets to slum-dwellers and people living in camps.
Nutritious food must be given in schools and hand washing must be encouraged.
MENTAL HEALTH- Free online therapy and assistance must be given to children by schools if
any change in behavior observed.
EXPLOITATION- Immediate action must be taken in case of any sexual, verbal or physical
abuse. Helpline number must be launched.
SANITATION- Awareness must be created. Regular medical screenings must be done through
mobile clinics. Refugee camps and slums must be regularly disinfected.
Australia hopes that if the aforementioned proposals are discussed and executed well, we will
be able to improve the condition of most vulnerable children from the impact of COVID-19.
________________________________________________________________________
>https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/covid-19
>https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts
>https://www.who.int/news-room/detail
>https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus