Caucus strategies

Caucus is an informal discussion which takes place during debates. In order to propose caucus, P-27 - “suspension a meeting for caucus” should be raised by one of the delegates.

What is the main purpose of such discussion?

First of all, it gives you a great chance to know other delegate’s opinions toward certain agenda item before they‘ll make a speech. And thus you will be able to plan your further actions beforehand. Try not to waste this precious time - use it strategically!

Making caucus with other delegates can also be a very good tactical step if you’re the next speaker in the list. In this case your primary goal is to acclimatize the room before your speech, to prepare a friendly atmosphere in order to make sure your ideas will be accepted in a proper way.

You can have caucus before Substantive Debates, if it is necessary to prepare drafts for future Resolutions, discuss particular clauses with your sponsors and opponents, make friendly or even unfriendly amendments. Duration of such caucases is no more than 30 minutes, and when time is out all the Resolutions should be submitted to the Chairperson.

Sometimes having caucus becomes favorable if the previous speaker expressed some interesting ideas of how to solve the challenge. Such situation can be very advantageous for this particular delegate, as he becomes the center of attention. But the person should be prepared to lead the caucus and answer many questions.

There is no ideal strategy for a caucus: each has its own pluses and minuses. Some delegates prefer to talk to their allies and find them as many as possible; some are strongly convinced that it’s crucial to have discussion with their irreconcilable opponents. No matter what kind of strategy you’re going to apply, one of the core results should be Consensus Building.

While caucusing don’t concentrate on quantity, concentrate on quality! One of the best strategies is to discover or “bring up” real supporters of your ideas and then disseminate around the caucus using strategy “Divide and Conquer”.

Remember: you’ll never know for sure other delegate’s attitude until you talk to them face to face. Caucus is the major examination for your diplomacy!