Model UN Informational Meeting

Position papers are due tonight by midnight. Email to

kcantu@magnoliaisd.org.

Conference

• In order to attend Conference, you must have the following complete:– An approved position paper• One is required for conference, two if you would like to

be considered for an award or scholarship

– Both permission slips returned– Your conference fees paid– A signed gradecheck sheet

Conference Logistics

• The HAMUN Conference is on Thursday, January 28th and Friday, January 29th.

• We will meet at 6:45 am both days in my room. The bus will leave MHS at 7:00 am and return at 6:00 pm.

• Dress in Western Business Attire• Bring money for lunch and/or snacks• You should bring a notebook, pen, and your

position paper• You may bring a laptop, but it is not necessary

Western Business Attire

T-Shirt Information

Position Papers for Dummies

Due Date: Tuesday, December 8th

Midnight

• A position paper is an overview of your country’s stance on different issues

• In order to attend the HAMUN conference in January, you need to have an approved position paper

• You will also need to have passed all your classes for the fall semester!!!

• This is a brief document, but is very important for the committees.

What is a position paper?

• First: It allows the delegate to think about their policy on specific issues from the country’s point of view, before attending the conference

• Second: It serves as a simple information guide on your country’s policies to use at the conference

• Third: It acts as an outline for the preliminary draft resolution

The Purpose of the Policy Statement

• Length: ¾ to 1 page long• Spacing: Single• Font: 12 pt, Times New Roman• Saved as: .doc, .pdf, .rtf

Policy Statement Format

• Committee• Country• Topic• School: Magnolia High School• Sponsor: Katherine Cantu• Name:

Header

• Pick an international issue.– Most of you will be on committees that already

have a list of topics. If this is the case, you should select a topic from your committee.

• You need to research that topic from your country’s point of view– Keep in mind elements of culture, history,

geography, natural resources, neighboring countries, population, etc.

To begin writing your paper…

• You need to show that this is an international issue, thereby warranting the attention of an Intranational agency, like the UN– Which regions or countries are also being affected

by this topic?– Use specific examples and dates.

Position paper cont.

• You need to know if any international action has already been taken to address your topic– Use specific examples and dates

• Describe your country’s position on the topic. – How is this issue affecting your country?– What actions has your country taken in the past in

regards to this topic?

Position paper cont.

• Finally, propose specific UN action for the future.– What actions could your committee take to

address your topic?– What actions would your country be in support

of?– What actions would your country be against?

Position paper cont.

• This is not a report on your country.• The paper should address the topic, written from

your country’s point of view.• It is okay to put in a few lines about why this would

be best for your country, but other countries in your committee will not care unless it helps them too.

• This is a persuasive paper, written to get what you want.

• It needs to be written and researched very carefully.

What your paper is not…

• You will need to include a Works Cited Page• The Font should be the same as your paper.• Your sources need to be in MLA format, and in

alphabetical order according to the author’s last name

• The library has a citation machine program that can help you with this.

Citations

• Each graded policy paper will be e-mailed to me, with the rubric attached.

• The papers will be graded by your committee chairs.

• In order to pass, all eight items on the rubric must be present

Scoring

• Header• Explanation and

definition of the issue• A short summary of

recent international action related to the question

• A statement of the country’s position on the issue

• Specific suggestions for a solution

• Reference to at least three key documents relating to the issue that are NOT cited in the policy statement

• Policy statement is appropriate length (1 page)

• Policy paper is saved as .doc, .pdf, or .rtf

Rubric

• Go to HAMUN’s website:– http://www.houstonareamun.org/ • Click “Committees and Research”• Then click “Position Papers”• Click on your committee for a background guide

• Or E-mail me:– Kcantu@magnoliaisd.org– Remind 101: Text @556675 to 81010

Any more questions?