LibGuides: Model UN: Research Assigned Topics

Writing a Position Paper

Here are examples of how to write a position paper. Be sure to follow all formatting and other requirements as given to you by BUMUN.

Sample Position Paper
Here is a sample position paper from a past BUMUN. Note that it has 3 topics instead of 2.
Position Paper Guidelines
Guidelines on how to write and format your position paper, from BUMUN.

Plan for researching your topic:

Review any documentation you have received from or has been posted to the website of the conference you will be attending.
Look at the links posted below for your topic.
Go to the committee homepage of your committee and look for a Documents link. Review any documents concerning your topic.
Review the UN Global Issues page concerning your topic.
Review the speeches of your country about your topic, using the Member States on the Record link.
Use Google. Often you can find results if you search for your topic plus the word UN. When you find a page discussing your topic, look for mentions of your country or any organizations that it is a member of. This often works better than searching for your topic plus the name of your country.
Use the links below to learn more about MLA and APA citation styles.

Purdue Online Writing Lab- APA
Provides examples and overviews of formatting papers in APA style, reference lists, and citations.
Purdue Online Writing Lab- MLA
Information and examples of creating in-text citations and reference lists in MLA style.

Who Governs the Palestinians?
Backgrounder information from the Council on Foreign Relations.
Arab States Propose Alternative to Trump's Gaza Plan
Article from the NY Times discussing the plan proposed in Cairo. This gift link gives you access to the article.
Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza would put Americans at risk of prosecution
Commentary and analysis from the Brookings Institution.
UN Documents: Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
Selected documents from the UN Security Council on the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question , as collected by Security Council Report.

Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense
Background and explanations from the Council on Foreign Relations.
The Widening Schism across the Taiwan Strait
In-depth analysis and information from the Crisis Group. At a minimum, read the Q&A and the Executive Summary at the top.
Will 2027 invite conflict for Taiwan and China?
Discussion on the current and possible future situation, from the Brookings Institution.
What's behind China-Taiwan tensions?
Basic background on the topic from the BBC. You might also want to read their "China and Taiwan: A really simple guide".

Losing Humanity: The Case Against Killer Robots
PDF of an entire Human Rights report, which first brought the topic of lethal autonomous weapons systems to light. Older but with good background information. You may also find the shorter summary of the report here (also PDF).
The Story So Far
Timeline from the website for the organization Stop Killer Robots, which outlines steps taken to address armed drones.
Drone Attacks Killing Hundreds of Civilians Acrss Africa, Says Report
Article from Monday March 10 published in The Guardian, as an example of current news coverage of the topic.
Text of 2024 Resolution
Text of the most recent resolution adopted in October 2024. You can find how your country voted here.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
From the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. See also links at the top of the page for overviews of human rights.
The Deported
Report from Human Rights Watch issued during the first Trump administration. Includes information about legal frameworks and treaties. Check the references.
Here Are the U.S. Immigration Terms to Know
Definitions and explanations of various US immigration terms and policies, from the Council on Foreign Relations.
What has Donald Trump done toward his mass deportation promise?
Quick overview from Politifact. Look also at their cited sources for more information.

Climate Change and Health
A fact sheet from the World Health Organization. Be sure to look at the other links listed on the page.
Synthesis Reports from the IPCC
Website for synthesis reports for the IPCC. The most recent is the 6th report from 2023. There are also links to other recent reports.
Climate Change Is Having Widespread Health Impacts
While a bit older, this article provides a succinct overview of the negative health effects of climate change, from Scientific American.
A Core Question at COP27: Who Will Pay for Climate Change?
Gift article from the NY Times examining which countries are most vulnerable to climate change and the gap in funding.

How 'modern-day slavery' in the Congo powers the rechargeable battery economy
Recording and written excerpts from an NPR interview about rare-earth mining in Congo.
The Scramble for Rare Earths
Series of podcasts from the BBC that examines the importance and geopolitical importance of rare earths.
China And Russia Make Critical Mineral Grabs in Africa While the U.S. Snoozes
Article from Forbes magazine. Provides lots of links to get additional context and statistics.
Not So “Green” Technology: The Complicated Legacy of Rare Earth Mining
Overview of the topic from the Harvard International Review. Includes lots of links to more information.

Securing Ukraine's Future
Lots of reports, analysis, and explanations from the Council on Foreign Relations.
The North Atlantic Treaty
The text of the actual treaty signed in 1949. You will want to read this at least once.
UN Documents for Ukraine
Selected documents from the UN Security Council on Ukraine, as collected by Security Council Report.
NATO-Russia
NATO page dedicated to explaining its relationship to Russia, including debunking myths. You will also want to visit the NATO Ukraine page .

Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Foundational document for discussion of disarmament and nonproliferation. You should be familiar with this documents and able to reference it. Website provides background and the text of the treaty.
Text of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
Text from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission. The site also includes time lines, links to additional documents, a glossary, and FAQ.
1540 Committee Website
Website for the 1540 committee, a UN committee established to work for non-proliferation and to prevent the illegal trafficking of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance
Quick glance at the nuclear capabilities of nations around the world. You will also want to look at the Fact Sheets, Country Resources, and the Reports. *Highly Recommended!*