Unmoderated Caucus
Making the most of unmoderated caucuses — coalition building, working paper drafting, and strategic negotiation.
The Unmoderated Caucus
An unmoderated caucus (unmod) suspends formal debate and allows delegates to move freely, form groups, and negotiate face-to-face. This is where alliances are built, working papers are drafted, and deals are made.
How to Propose One
'The delegation of [country] motions for an unmoderated caucus of [X minutes] for the purpose of [stated purpose].'
Common durations: 10-20 minutes. State a purpose (even though it's not enforced) — it shows intentionality and can frame the committee's priorities.
What to Do During an Unmod
First 2 minutes: Find your core allies — countries you identified during research and whose positions align with yours. Form a cluster. Don't wander aimlessly.
Minutes 3-10: Discuss key operative clauses for a working paper. Assign drafting roles: one person writes, others contribute language. Use a laptop or paper — don't just talk.
Minutes 10-15: Recruit signatories from outside your core bloc. You need a minimum number (usually 1/4 of the committee) to introduce a working paper. Target swing states — countries that haven't committed to a bloc.
Last 2-3 minutes: Review what you have, assign homework for the next unmod, and identify your bloc's next mod caucus topic.
Common Mistakes
- Talking to the same 3 delegates all conference (echo chamber)
- Having no plan when the unmod starts (wasted time)
- Ignoring delegates who approach your group (missed alliances)
- Not producing any written output (working paper) during the unmod