What is a background paper?

Answer

What is a background paper?

A background paper is a report or other written document which describes the contextual and historical background that helps people better understand a problem or situation. It is informative in nature, and should be written in a professional format. You can use a chronological model which summarizes the background, process, and impact of the community actions over time. In general, the following format is used:

Introduction to the issue
Summary of historical landmarks and social forces behind them
Analysis of the dynamics that shifted with the social and economic and political evolution
Current status and challenges to be considered in making policy changes

Examples

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Policy/Natural-Resources/Background-Papers

The World Bank Background Papers: https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2016/background-papers

United Nations Development Reports: http://hdr.undp.org/en/paper-categories/background-papers

Women’s Suffrage: https://www.nps.gov/articles/us-suffrage-timeline-1648-to-2016.htm

LGBT rights: https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/history