SAMPLE POSITION PAPER
Position Papers are the published work of a delegation outlining country-specific information related to the topic area at hand and an official position and plan for resolving the problem.
Position papers should:
Utilize size 12 Times New Roman font
Black print only
1.15 Spaced
Have the Committee, Topic Area, country/character, and delegate(s) name in the upper left corner of the page appear untitled
One page in length (single-spaced)
As a stylistic suggestion, refer to what your country hopes to achieve and not you, the delegate.
For instance:
“Her Majesty's Government desires…,” “The people of Bolivia would like to see…,” or “The Kingdom of Spain believes…,” would be appropriate in place of: “I want…” or “we feel…”
Must include a brief works cited page at the end of the paper
• Paragraph 1 – Background of the topic with relation to the Member State
• Paragraph 2 – Official position of the Member State
• Paragraph 3 – Solutions to the problem that are amenable to the Member State
Committee: DISEC School: Carl Sandburg High School Topic Area A: Small Illicit Arms Trade Country: France Delegate: Adunola Ogedengbe
The illicit trade in conventional arms is a threat to international peace and stability and endangers the security of States. These illicit flows - which affect every region of the globe - fuel conflicts, but also organized crime and international terrorism. Small arms and light weapons - easy to use, transport, and conceal - and their ammunition are at the heart of this illicit trafficking. France has had a long and robust history with the small illicit arms trade. Dating back to the late 18th century, France imperialized many nations that are now known as “3rd world countries” today during the global event, “Scramble for Africa.” While slaves were exported from Africa to the New World, new illicit arms were imported into these colonies for militaristic gain. This was known as the triangular trade. Though imperialism eventually ended, the trade of armed weapons did not. African colonies decolonized yet were still so dependent on foreign trade in almost every sector of society. In the 1880s France revolutionized infantry firepower by creating the first high-velocity, small-caliber cartridge with smokeless propellant. Such cartridges offered greater range, accuracy, and ease of aim than the larger caliber, gunpowder-filled ammunition which they superseded. Furthermore, French gun laws date back to April 18, 1939, though they have been amended a number of times since. They are certainly tough: There is no right to bear arms for the French and to own a gun, you need a hunting or sporting license which needs to be repeatedly renewed and requires a psychological evaluation.
Currently, France participates in the Wassenaar Arrangement on export control for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. In 2013, pursuant to a proposal put forward by France, the Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary meeting approved the principle of including equipment used to intercept electronic communications in the dual-use goods and technologies list. In the field of arms exports, France is keen to demonstrate the greatest possible transparency with regard to the international community and civil society. It has therefore complied with numerous exercises undertaken in a multilateral framework by providing information on its national system for controlling sensitive transfers and also on its arms exports. It participates, for instance, in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, established in 1992, through annual reporting of information relating to its exports, imports, military holdings, and procurement through national production of major conventional weapons as well as small arms and light weapons. Lastly, France participates fully in the mechanisms for the exchange of information set up within the European Union, notably in the framework of the Working Party on Conventional Arms Exports (COARM) and Through its contribution to the EU annual report on arms exports.
Finally, France firmly believes in finding multiple resolutions when faced with global adversity. Social media is an impactful tool that could be used to educate the public about the economic, political, and social disadvantages that small illicit arms have with respect to the security of our communities. Through the use of more media magazines, music, or tv-the small illicit arms trade will be discouraged. Additionally, a national body can be put in place to supervise the dark web. The name of this national body would be the Organisation Nationale du Dark Web (ONDW). Furthermore, the delegation of France plans to implement a police department database. A factor in the small illicit arms trade that is often overlooked is the use of weapons in the police force. Studies have shown that police used more small arms on civilians, especially in the years 2020 and 2021. By limiting the use of small arms among police officers, the need for these weapons will decrease in trade. This database will promote transparency, help increase trust within communities, be implemented for each Police Department, and will include but not be limited to the yearly average of money spent on weapons, a list of non-lethal weapons in the possession of the police department, a list of lethal weapons in the possession of the police department, reasoning for the possession of the weapons, and reasons for the officer to take department-issued weapon. A part of this system will include an accountability system. This accountability system will instruct officers to use department-issued weapons and establish joint responsibility for weaponry. The delegation of France also plans to enact a 3% tax on all civilian-purchased military-grade weaponry. Tax exemptions are limited to law enforcement and government officials. All the money accumulated from the tax will be sent to DISEC or other discernment campaigns such as UNFAN. Lastly, France calls for tighter border control and more interference within the private sector and maritime endeavors.
Works Cited
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2017-10/france_report_2015_fy_2013_eng.pdf
https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2001-01/features/new-approach-small-arms-trade
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/first-committee-delegates-discuss-best-tools-fighting-illega