BosMUN Guide to Effective Position Papers for High School Students, Study Guides, Projects, Research of History

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How-to:

Position Paper

BosMUN XX’s Guide to Writing a Position Paper

Please note, there are guides on other topics from BosMUN on our

website.

BosMUN Specific It is necessary to submit a position paper for ALL committees at BosMUN XX.

General A position paper is a summary of your country or character’s position on the topic(s) given in your committee’s background guide. This usually includes the following: A. Introduction to your country/character B. Explanation of how committee’s topic affects your country/character C. Description of past actions your nation/character has taken on the subject

paragraph demonstrates the understand of the committee’s topic and its effects)

The Kingdom of Jordan is known to have never used cluster munitions in warfare and was a participant in two meetings regarding the creation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Jordan has since been invested in the agenda of the convention; to ban the use and stockpiling of cluster weapons. Jordan voted in favor of the UN resolution that expressed outrage at the Syrian government’s use of cluster munitions that grossly violated human rights over and over again. (This paragraph demonstrates country knowledge related to the topic)

Jordan has long and early expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions. The country considers this matter as the second most important treaty being preceded by the Mine Ban Treaty. There is speculation of cluster weapons being in the remote areas of Jordan due to the test firings of these munitions, however, exploded cluster weapons have never been found. (This paragraph demonstrates policy research on the topic)

Jordan firmly believes that cluster weapons are not accurate and they can leave unexploded ordnance, which makes them far more destructive in comparison to other weapons. In a debate regarding the impact of these weapons, Jordan concluded that unexploded ordnance is threatening to scrap-metal merchants who collect wreckages from military training and shelling ranges. Jordan’s principle mine action authority aims to continue its mission to clear the country of landmines and plans to help other countries in the region deal with similar post-conflict threats. One of the aims of this mission is to clear especially the northern border and to verify and sample mine-cleared land in the Jordan valley. (This paragraph demonstrates what the delegate will look for in a resolution and why its preferable)

Authorities believe that the bulk of suspected cluster bombs; bullets, shells, and grenades that did not explode are focused in the north of the country around Ajloun and in North Shuneh in the Jordan Valley. Jordan also intends to develop the region's capacity to deal with Explosive

Remnants of War (ERW), which has become an unmistakable drawback. Several experts in the country also mention that there has been significant progress to make the country safer from such explosives. In 2009 Jordanian authorities also began working on the first phase of the project that involves gathering information for the contamination of unexploded ordnance. (This paragraph demonstrates specifics on how to achieve the country’s goals)

The Kingdom of Jordan looks forward to creating resolutions that address the humanitarian impact of cluster weapons and restoring peace in countries impacted. (Close with an optimistic tone to working with others, finding a solution, and showing how your country position will prevail)

(Note: your paper should be one page, single spaced, 12 point font, times new roman.)

SEE SECOND EX BELOW

Sample Position Paper #

Committee: International Organization for Migration Republic of Korea Delegation: Republic of Korea Name: Jaehei (Jennifer) Kim, Winchester High School

Topic 1: Refugees and Surplus Population

Ever since the consequences of the World Wars that

resulted in an estimate of 11 million displaced people, international communities banded together to resolve this chaos and come up with more efficient solutions to provide a permanent home for these civilians. Thus, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951, striving to act on their goal to address the aforementioned aftermath of global catastrophe.

Although the war ended decades ago, society today is faced with the highest number of displaced persons in history. The IOM continues to take on the responsibility of safely and effectively settling refugees and the surplus population, with individualized approaches tailored to each of the affected regions. Thus, defining these refugees with the right word is crucial, in both categorizing them and providing them the right aid, as the relocation process relies on these labels. Incorrect labeling can result in excluding groups from being protected under International Law and the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Currently, there are many flaws in the established framework of aiding refugees. For example,

migrant workers, they are given an economic advantage as it allows them to further control the levels of pressure on the current job market and resources, serving as a form of cheap labor for companies. Furthermore, these migrant workers fill essential niches in the labor market that the receiving country would have otherwise would have lacked, with a high percentage of them representing the slowest growing occupations. These occupations are primarily in production and other industries that domestic workers would consider unattractive. Thus, they contribute significantly to labor market flexibility from large-scale viewpoints. Some studies even suggest that elimination of barriers to immigrants can have a positive effect on world Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Overall, as economist Michael Clemens and Lant Pritchett stated, “permitting people to move from low-productivity places to high-productivity places appears to be by far the most efficient generalized policy tool, at the margin, for poverty reduction.” Private sectors have been

successful at being the critical role in supporting migrants and refugees. The merger of these two groups can foster new innovative ideas while helping the much needed traditional resettlement process. However, many barriers do exist that further hinder this population from a policy standpoint and are used frequently to as a bargaining chip and as a political agenda item by nations.Migrants are often times used as a scapegoat to explain a nation’s unemployment rate and for causing times of economic recessions. Irregular migration is frown upon by many politicians, primarily by those administrations that bluntly embodies xenophobia. Thus, these government may enforce policies that contain visa quotas, harsh immigration restrictions, or travel bans on immigration of particular groups to prevent these irregular immigrants.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has been successfully opening the door to legal temporary workers. According to the Migrant Policy Institute, “South Korea has taken a number of steps to overhaul its labor migration system, resulting in gradually loosened controls and a declining unauthorized population” since 2002. This action demonstrates how ROK recognizes the importance of meeting the critical labor market needs. Furthermore, skilled workers with valid employment contracts easily acquire relevant visas and can renew their visa status. This type of openness should be embraced and demonstrated by more countries.

It would be up to each of the countries to prevent irregular migrants. However, the same countries should also recognize the positive sides of accepting migrant workers and create comprehensive visa categories to encourage oftenness.

Work Cited:

BOSMUN Background Guide

“International Labour Standards on Migrant Workers.” International Labour Standards on Migrant Workers, International Labour Organization, www.ilo.org/global/standards/subjects-covered-by-international-labour-standards/migrant -workers/lang--en/index.htm.

Park, Young-bum. “South Korea Carefully Tests the Waters on Immigration, With a Focus on Temporary Workers.” MPI, Migrant Policy Institute, 28 Mar. 2017, www.migrationpolicy.org/article/south-korea-carefully-tests-waters-immigration-focus-te mporary-workers.

Umeda, Sayuri. “Global Legal Monitor.” South Korea: Refugee Resettlement Program, Library

of Congress, 4 Jan. 2016, www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/south-korea- refugee-resettlement-program/.