POSITION PAPERS

Position papers are required for awards consideration. Submit via email to your chair by 11:59 pm on November 6. No late submissions will be accepted.

Position papers are an essential step in the preparation process. Please adhere to the following guidelines.

General Tips

  • Utilize size 12 Times New Roman font

  • Black print only

  • 1.15 spaced

  • Use the active voice (avoid the passive voice)

  • Include a brief works cited page at the end of the paper

Structure

Header

  • Committee

  • Delegate Name (your actual name)

  • Position

  • School

  • Topic

First Paragraph

  • Introduce the topic from the perspective of your position

  • This is the shortest, least important section of the position paper

  • Consider the following questions:

    • What is the history of the issue according to your position?

    • Why is this issue important?

Second Paragraph

  • Analyze the topic from the perspective of your position, as well as a more general multilateral perspective.

  • This will likely be the longest part of the position paper and the section in which you will use the majority of your research.

  • Consider the following questions:

    • What does your position generally think about the issue at hand?

    • What policies have previously succeeded and failed on a national and international scale?

Third Paragraph

  • Discuss solutions that you are proposing to solve the problem.

    • This is where you can let your creativity and research combine, and begin developing the proposals that you may later use in committee.

  • These solutions do not necessarily have to come directly from your nation or position, though it is highly encouraged.

  • Consider the following:

    • What solutions would your position propose to solve the situation at hand? Why and how would these solutions work?

    • How will you solve any problems that might arise in implementing these solutions?

*For double delegations, each delegate does not have to submit their own position papers. Instead, one paper should be submitted for both delegates.

Sample Position Paper: here

AI Policy

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving and increasingly useful tool with the potential to improve research, accessibility, and learning. SIMUN XXV recognizes the value of AI when used responsibly and encourages delegates to develop the skills necessary to use these tools ethically. However, Model UN is fundamentally an exercise in critical thinking, diplomacy, independent research, negotiation, and problem solving. AI must not replace these essential skills or the intellectual work of every delegate.

Permitted Uses of AI

Delegates may use AI as a supplementary research and learning tool for purposes such as:

  • Gathering sources, identifying relevant articles, academic papers, reports, and other primary or secondary sources

  • Understanding complex topic, clarifying unfamiliar concepts, historical events, international law, or defining terms

  • Organizing research, such as creating outlines, identifying areas in need of further research, and organizing notes

  • Checking understanding and asking questions to test comprehension of identify gaps in a delegate’s knowledge

Delegates are responsible for independently verifying AI generated information and ensuring that sources are credible, accurate, and properly cited.

Prohibited Uses of AI

AI may not be used to complete work that is intended to demonstrate a delegate’s own reasoning, writing, or diplomatic abilities. Specifically:

  • Position papers: AI may not write, rewrite, or generate any portion of a position paper that is submitted.

  • Draft resolutions: AI may not draft, write, or generate operative clauses, preambulatory clauses, or other substantive portions of a resolution. All resolutions and directives must be written and created by the delegate.

  • Critical thinking and policy development: AI may not replace a delegate’s independent analysis, formulation of policy resolutions, development of solutions, or evaluation of proposed actions.

  • Speeches and substantive debate materials: AI may not generated speeches, substantive talking points, or arguments intended to represent a delegate’s own work.

  • Crisis arcs: AI may not create crisis arcs or write notes, as arcs are intended to express the creative abilities of the delegate.

  • Negotiation and diplomacy: AI may not substitute for a delegate’s own participation in debate and may not replace the delegate.

Delegates are expected to exercise academic integrity and ensure that all submitted work and substantive contributions reflect their own understanding, ideas, and effort. AI-generated material must be independently evaluated rather than accepted without scrutiny. Delegates remain responsible for the accuracy of their research, regardless of the tools used to obtain it.

Violations of this policy will result in review by the conference Secretariat and appropriate consequences will be enforced, including disqualification from awards.

The guiding principle of this policy is simple: AI may support a delegate’s research, but it must never replace a delegate’s thinking. The purpose of Model UN is not merely to produce polished papers or resolutions, but to develop informed, independent, and capable diplomats, ready to embrace challenge and serve the future.