Writing+a+Policy+Statement


 * From TAIMUN (American School of Taichung) Research Guide **

== The writing of a brief but comprehensive policy statement is a fundamental step of MUN preparation. Each delegate must write one policy statement on an issue. The policy statement serves three important purposes. First, it allows the delegate an opportunity to think his/her policy out more thoroughly; secondly, it server the greater need of his/her delegation to have a document which contains the country’s policy on all the issues at the conference so that there will be consistency in policy among the various members of the delegation. Ideally, each delegate should have some familiarity with all the issues so that he/she is comfortable in representing his country’s view. **The third important function of the policy statement is to act as an outline for the draft resolution.**

In order to be able to formulate a policy, both in writing (policy statement and resolution) and in speaking (lobbying, opening speech and debating), students need to know all about their country, have specific knowledge of the issues on the agenda and listen to the opinion of experts. Students should not become frustrated if their country apparently lacks a well-defined policy on some issues. Even where policy statements on the specific issues are available from the country concerned, simply becoming familiar with them is not sufficient for active participation in the MUN. In most cases the significance of any particular issue for a country will change as circumstances and events develop and, consequently, so will its policy. Preparation for participation can only be really done well if students are thinking as representatives of their assigned country, and formulating policy as such representatives. There is an element of creativity in MUN preparation and participation, which is not realistically available to professional diplomats. Although students should be as realistic and as professional as possible, they should allow themselves some imaginative thinking on issues, while remaining within the realm of their country’s position. **Breakthroughs in** ** diplomacy do not occur by strict adherence to the status quo, but delegates ** ** should not jeopardize or sacrifice their country’s legitimate interests while ** ** seeking a breakthrough. **

FIVE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A POLICY STATEMENT
1. An explanation and definition of the issue and its key terms as they appear on the agenda. 2. A background summary of recent international events related to the action in question. 3. Some reference to key documents relating to the issue (underlined). 4. A general statement of the country’s position on the issue. 5. Specific suggestions for a solution to the question (to serve as the first draft for the operative clauses of a resolution).

RESEARCHING THE COUNTRY
Origin of Political Structures Basic Commodities Constitution and Government Trade Agreements Stability and Policy of Present Degree of Self-sufficiency
 * __ Political Structures __**** __Natural Resources__ **
 * __ Cultural Factors __** **__Defense__**

Ethnic Groups Military Structure Religions Dependency on Other Nations Cultural History Membership of Alliances

__Geography__ __Views on World Problems__
Bordering Countries Role and Influence in the World Topography Membership of Blocks and Geo-political Considerations Geo-political groupings

__Economy__ __History__
Monetary System General Dependency and Debt Last 50 years Membership of Economic and Recent History Trade Organizations

RESEARCHING THE ISSUES
1. Keep abreast of the developments in the international news. 2. Read about the historical and geo-political background to the issues. 3. Study UN resolutions, reports and documents relating to the issues.

SEEKING INFORMATION, ADVICE AND OPINION
1. Visit or write to the nearest embassy, consulate or trade delegation for the country being represented. 2. Visit or write to the foreign ministry of your country of residence. 3. Write to the country’s delegation to the United Nations. 4. Write or visit local organizations and experts in the specific fields (e.g. the United Nations Association, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, political parties and government spokesmen, teachers, environmentalists, scientists, economists).

SAMPLE POLICY STATEMENT
FORUM: SECURITY COUNCIL QUESTION: TERRORISM IN THE MIDDLE EAST France is very concerned about the problem of terrorism in the Middle East. Terrorism has been a major problem in the Middle East for decades now: ever since the British mandate over Palestine after World War I, terrorist groups have tried to further their causes through intimidation, violence and murder. Terrorists in the Middle East act in many locations and fight for a vast variety of purposes: from the liberation of Palestine to the creation of an independent state for the Kurdish population. France applauds Security Council resolution 1269 of the 4th of October 1999 for its total condemnation of terrorism, regardless of the motive. France condemns the idea of terrorism as a whole. France views terrorism as an illegal, unjustifiable means to achieve any kind of goal or result. It is France’s belief that the best way to combat terrorism in the Middle East, as everywhere else, is to eliminate the causes that are at the base of it: conflicts between nations, foreign occupations, denial of independence, poor social and economic conditions. Unfortunately, such a goal is a utopia in the short run, and is ultimately left to local governments. France stresses the importance of finding a common definition of terrorism and creating a common, international set of laws to deal with it. It is indispensable to have an international strategy and cooperation to combat terrorism in the Middle East. France suggests the establishment of an ad-hoc international committee against terrorism in the Middle East. Such a committee would be responsible for the creation of a set of anti-terrorism laws to which all Middle-Eastern nations should refer and abide. It would be also responsible for monitoring the implementation of such laws, and for the creation of a common strategy to fight the terrorism in the area. France also suggests the creation of a UN military force, under the control of the ad-hoc committee, to strike down, disband and arrest members of terrorist organizations in the Middle East. France strongly supports the creation of an international court to try terrorists acting internationally. The Republic of France has the duty to remind the international community that the trial of any offender, criminal or terrorist has to follow the law and must not violate human rights. France condemns all those nations that actively support terrorist groups or do not take an active role in eradicating terrorist organizations operating within and from their territories. France views such behavior as a clear attempt to disrupt the already weak relationships among the countries of the area. The republic of France is willing to host an international conference against terrorism in the Middle East, in Strasbourg. The conference would bring together, peacefully, leaders from the Middle East with the mediation of Western powers, to discuss the situation of terrorism in the Middle East and to draft a common policy to combat this issue. It is France’s hope that, by setting a common definition and a common framework to combat terrorism and by creating an international committee and an international force to enforce the framework, the threat of terrorism in the Middle East will greatly diminish.