Position Paper Awards
Position papers are a critical part of delegate preparation. They require delegates to
illustrate their knowledge of the agenda topics at hand, affirm the positions their country takes on
these topics, and recommend courses of action to effectively address contemporary global
problems. For the Conference Staff, position papers provide the best indication of which issues
capture delegates’ interest, and help Directors and Assistant Directors design a strategy for the
facilitation of committee debate. In addition, position papers often identify which delegates are
best prepared for the Conference and are most likely to take a strong leadership role in
committee sessions.
Additionally, the NMUN Board of Directors will grant separate Position Paper Awards in
recognition of outstanding pre-conference preparation. In order to be considered for a Position
Paper Award, delegations must have met the published email/postmark deadline.

The following criteria are used by the conference staff to evaluate Position Papers:


Overall quality of writing, proper style, grammar, etc.



Reference to relevant resolutions/documents



General consistency with bloc/geopolitical constraints



Consistency with the constraints of the United Nations



Analysis of issues, rather than reiteration of the Committee Background Guide