POLICY
EQUITY
TECHNOLOGY
Artificial Intelligence
OMUN strongly encourages delegates to avoid using artificial intelligence (AI) programs as part of their preparation for conference weekend. We believe that unrestricted use of AI hinders the educational experience we seek to provide to our delegates, particularly given these programs’ proclivity for inaccuracies and bias. While there are benefits to using AI, doing so may prevent delegates from developing many of the diplomatic skills that we seek to teach. Specifically, we warn that using AI may inhibit delegates’ ability to learn about new topics, independently generate strong arguments, collaborate with diverse groups, and develop creative solutions, all of which are at the core of the OMUN experience. Moreover, we believe that similarly to plagiarism, unrestricted AI use can give delegates an unfair advantage.
Therefore, the use of artificial intelligence (including, but not limited to, ChatGPT, Bard, and ChatSonic) is entirely prohibited during conference weekend. Prior to the conference, AI software cannot be used to write any part of a position paper; however, AI may be used as a research tool if properly cited.
In all cases, delegates are required to cite any content or ideas that they did not generate themselves; delegates who violate this rule will be subject to sanctions. Thus, as with all other sources, delegates must cite AI platforms that they use for research purposes, including finding references, analyzing information, or generating ideas—failing to cite one’s use of AI software will be regarded as plagiarism. Additionally, the inclusion of any AI-generated writing in a position paper will be considered plagiarism, even if the AI program is properly cited.
For recommendations on citing AI, please visit dal.ca.libguides.com/CitationStyleGuide/citing-ai.
Device Use in Committee
To respect other delegates and prevent distractions, the use of laptops, tablets, and cellular devices is generally prohibited in committee rooms while the committee is in session, with some exceptions below. In all organs, delegates may not use these devices during a committee session for any purpose not listed here without the express permission of their chair. Any concerns that a delegate is violating OMUN technology policy or using technology in an inappropriate way may be relayed to the Secretariat.
Delegates in General Assemblies and Economic & Social Councils will write their working papers on their laptops; therefore, at their chair’s discretion, delegates may use their laptops during unmoderated caucuses to prepare and compile substantive documents (e.g. working papers and draft resolutions).
Delegates in crisis committees will be using Slack for their committee’s backroom elements, meaning that computers will be used, however there is no research allowed within the committee.
POSITION PAPER
Position papers are required for all delegations. Any delegate who does not submit a position paper will be ineligible to receive an award. Position papers should be in 12-point font, single-spaced, with a header that includes the delegate’s name, position, committee, school, and (if applicable) topic.
Delegates in GAs and ECOSOCs should write a one-page position paper, while delegates in crisis committees should write a one-page position paper for their entire committee. All position papers must be submitted online on the Position Papers page on the OMUN website. Position papers must be submitted online by the end of the first committee session (Saturday 12:00 p.m.).
Each position paper has three basic parts: your country’s national interests, your country’s national policies, and your opinion on potential resolution components. National interests are what a country would like to see happen in the world (e.g. Cameroon, a lesser developed country troubled by terrorism, wants to reduce the incidence of terrorism to stabilize its government). These interests are not subject to compromise, but instead generally idealized goals or methods of solving specific problems.
National policies are the country’s attempts to secure its interests (e.g. Cameroon, in an effort to combat terrorism, has sought to enter into new extradition treaties). These policy positions are usually open to negotiation. Your opinions on potential resolution components are your responses to the “Questions to Consider” sections of the Background Guide. Although these sections provide flexibility, you need to keep in mind the interests of your nation. Possible resolutions must be consistent with your country’s national interests and current national policies (e.g. Cameroon feels that any resolution on the prevention of terrorism must assign to the injured state the right to try the terrorists. In addition, Cameroon would not be averse to the establishment of an international information network on terrorism. Cameroon, however, will not support any resolution that allows terrorist acts to be protected from extradition under the political offense exception doctrine).
Writing position papers benefits you in many ways. The staff reads over the position papers and summarizes them in order to gauge what the committee will be like and to see which delegates have done a good job preparing for the conference. Most importantly, writing a position paper makes you think about the information you have researched and helps you to express ideas concisely and clearly, making you better prepared for the conference.
The structuring of the position papers is intended to elicit responses from the delegates that provide a clear picture of a nation’s stance on a particular topic area.
Delegates in the Crisis Committees will be writing “crisis papers.” The format for these documents is similar to that of a position paper; it should be written in 12 point, single-spaced font. The biggest difference is in content. While the position paper is your country or character’s public position, the crisis paper is focused on the crisis arc, or secret plans, you wish to develop through your crisis notes. This paper is confidential and will only be seen by the dais, namely the Crisis Director and Chairs, which will help them understand your goals and motivations in committee.
In your Crisis Paper, you should discuss two things. First, what are your secret goals for your committee? Do you want to increase your political influence and potentially take over? Do you want to become extremely wealthy? Are you trying to assassinate your archnemesis? Second, you should address how you plan on accomplishing your schemes. What resources and connections can you leverage? Are there directives that you can pass that will secretly benefit you? For example, if you were a military commander and a directive was passed that increases funding to building the military, you would be able to benefit from increased resources. Note that there may be some overlap with the content within your position paper. The key difference here is that the position paper articulates the stances and strategies on the issues at hand, whereas the crisis paper articulates the stances and strategies for your personal goals within crisis. The purpose is to get you thinking about the crisis element of the crisis committee, which is equally as important as the directives you pass, and to communicate those goals to our crisis staff. It is also completely fine if these plans change by the time conference comes or change during conference itself; in fact, given the dynamic pace of our crisis committees, it’s highly likely you’ll have to adapt and change your plans.