This year we have changed the registration system. Now, instead of an essay, your task is to provide detailed answers to the questions below.

Each question requires your own view on the issue written in 3-5 sentences.

We kindly remind you that there are NO wrong answers.

1. Explain your choice of the committee.
2. What is the main conflict/problem on the agenda? Why is it difficult to settle it with a single concession?
3. Which solution would you suggest first? Despite possible criticism and the disadvantages of the measure, why would you still consider this solution necessary?
4. A child recruited by a terrorist group might be not only a victim of coercion but also a participant in the commission of serious crimes. Where, in your opinion, should the line be drawn between protecting the rights of such a child and holding them accountable? In other words, what principles should be invoked when making a decision?
5. Imagine that a state refuses to take back children who were previously recruited by terrorist groups. Is it justified from the perspective of international law? What role should UNODC play in promoting the repatriation and rehabilitation of such children?

Note:  discouraged use of AI 

A position paper is a concise expression of a particular state’s official position on the committee’s agenda. It aims to inform other delegates about the ideas your country adheres to and the measures it considers most effective. It further helps to form groups of countries with similar approaches in order to work together on a draft resolution.

Since delegates are limited in time, your position paper should be approximately 1.5–2 pages long. However, a shorter paper is not prohibited if it is enough to cover all the aspects. The exact time for speeches will be determined during the meeting; typically, it is about 2–5 minutes.

Your position paper should consist of the following parts:

Greeting. Every speech should begin with a formal greeting addressed to the Presidium of the Committee and fellow delegates.

Introduction. In three or four sentences, explain the relevance of the issue and briefly describe its impact on the international community. Avoid overly general statements: your introduction should lead directly to the Committee’s agenda.

Your country’s position on the issue in question and previous actions. Present the official position of the state or organization you represent. Describe the measures it has already taken and assess whether they have been successful. If certain policies have not achieved their objectives, explain the reasons. You may also refer to the country’s historical experience (if and insofar as relevant and brief) and its participation in relevant international initiatives. If your country does not support a particular UN approach, explain this position using official evidence.

Proposing solutions. Suggest specific and realistic measures to address the issue on the committee’s agenda. You may begin this section with a phrase such as: “Our delegation proposes the following measures…” The proposals should be consistent with your country’s official position, national interests, existing international law, and the Committee’s mandate. They should clearly explain what action should be taken, who should implement it, and how it could work in practice.

N.B. This part is crucial to any country position paper. It is extremely important you clearly articulate several concrete measures that are possible to implement in reality. Not something abstract (e.g., to maintain a dialogue between countries) but very specific and well-formulated policies. Also we strongly encourage you to make the most of your creativity: looking from an unusual angle may result in a truly effective solution.

Conclusion. Summarize your delegation’s position and express its willingness to cooperate with other states. You may conclude by expressing the hope that the international community will be able to address the issue through joint and coordinated efforts.

To write a position paper successfully, begin by searching materials reflecting the official position of the country or organization you represent. Your paper must be based on reliable primary sources, including:

– Official statements made by the country’s head of state, government officials, diplomats, and other authorized representatives;

– National legislation, strategies, policy documents, and official reports;

– Publications on the official websites of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions;

– Relevant UN resolutions, reports, treaties, and official databases;

– Materials published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), where relevant to the Committee’s agenda.

Media reports, academic publications, and analytical materials may help you understand the issue, but they should not replace official sources when you describe your country’s position. Make sure that all information is current, factually accurate, and directly related to the agenda. Keep a record of the sources you use so that you can verify your claims and answer questions during the committee session.

Write in the first-person plural, using the pronoun “we,” because you will be speaking on behalf of your country’s or organization’s delegation. Maintain

a formal and diplomatic tone. Avoid personal opinions, emotional language, accusations, and statements that contradict your delegation’s official policy.

We also point out that the use of artificial intelligence is prohibited at every stage of preparing your position paper. The position paper must reflect the delegate’s own research and analysis of official sources.

Once the position paper has been completed, carefully check its structure, factual accuracy, grammar, spelling, and diplomatic style. Ensure that every proposed measure follows logically from the official position of the country or organization you represent.

Expert’s Report