Participant Resources: Position
Paper Outline
The preparation of a position paper is crucial to a successful ICONS simulation. The
position paper not only provides an important opportunity to conduct research on the
various substantive topics, but it also allows participants to formulate their policy
goals and appropriate negotiating strategies before the simulation begins. This guide will
assist in the preparation of this position paper by clarifying the expectations with
respect to format and organization.
I. The format and organization of the entire position paper.
A. The final position paper is the product of a group effort. Therefore, it should be
submitted as a unified document rather than as separate submissions from individuals or
from issue area working groups.
1. The final document should be produced using one word-processing program. It should
be contained in a single file and should be printed as a single document.
2. The format, i.e. margins, etc., of the document should be consistent throughout.
B. The final position paper should be as professional of a document as possible. It
should contain the following components.
1. A table of contents.
2. An executive summary or overview, which succinctly presents the following:
a. The overall national policy goals.
b. The broad policy goals for each issue area.
c. A brief description of the overall national negotiating strategy.
C. Finally, the position paper should not contain any policy recommendations that are
contradictory. In other words, the trade section should not recommend a policy of
delinking trade from human rights if the human rights section is advocating the use of
trade sanctions against a nation for human rights abuses.
II. The format and organization of the individual sections.
Each section addressing a substantive issue area should contain the following
information, presented in this format.
A. The substantive issue.
1. What is the significance of the issue at the international level?
2. How is this issue significant to your nation?
B. Policy objectives.
1. What are the policy objectives of your nation? (List at least 2 to 3 specific proposals or agreements.)
2. If these objectives cannot be reached, what are the secondary or compromise
objectives?
C. Negotiating strategies.
1. Who are your allies and adversaries on these issues?
2. What are the various strategies that could be pursued in the negotiations? A
comprehensive paper will provide a variety of strategies.
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy?
D. Budget (if the scenario specifies budgetary concerns)
1. For each specific proposal, how much will you budget for it and why? How will it be paid for?
E. Final recommendation.
1. What is the final policy recommendation, in terms of goals and strategies?
In addition, each section of the position paper should include a bibliography of all
references. The importance of proper references and citations cannot be overstated, as an
academic integrity issue as well as for checking original references. |
