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MUN Pronoun Rule: In MUN, delegates represent countries — not themselves. Never use personal pronouns (I, we, us, me, my, our) in speeches, position papers, resolutions, or dialogue. Always use your country or delegation name instead. For example, say "The delegation of Japan supports…" rather than "I support…".
What is Consultation of the Whole?
Consultation of the Whole is an informal parliamentary procedure used in Model United Nations committees to facilitate open discussion on a topic without the constraints of formal debate. When a committee enters Consultation of the Whole, delegates speak freely on the topic under the chair's supervision — there are no motions, no formal voting, and no time-consuming procedural steps. The chair opens the floor, delegates are recognized in order, and each speaker addresses the committee directly.
This procedure exists because MUN debates sometimes reach a point where delegates need to explore ideas and gauge the committee's collective opinion before committing to a formal position. Instead of delivering prepared speeches (as in a moderated caucus) or negotiating privately (as in an unmoderated caucus), Consultation of the Whole lets the entire committee hear everyone's thinking in real time. The chair can steer the discussion, ask clarifying questions, and ensure that all voices are heard.
Consultation of the Whole is especially common during the early stages of a conference, after the first round of opening speeches, or when the committee is deadlocked on a particular issue. Chairs use it to read the room — to see which delegates agree, which disagree, and where compromise might be possible. It is not a substitute for formal debate, but rather a tool that informs it.
The key distinction is that nothing said during Consultation of the Whole is binding. Delegates can float ideas, express tentative support, or signal opposition without that statement becoming their delegation's official position. This flexibility makes it a low-risk, high-reward procedure for delegates who want to test their ideas before drafting a resolution.
How It Differs from Other Procedures
New delegates often confuse Consultation of the Whole with moderated caucus or unmoderated caucus. While all three are tools for discussion, they serve different purposes and follow different rules. The table below breaks down the key differences.
| Feature |
Moderated Caucus |
Unmoderated Caucus |
Consultation of the Whole |
| Chair controls |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Formal speaking |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Motion required |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Voting |
No |
No |
No |
| Time limit |
Per speaker |
Free |
Per speaker |
| Purpose |
Present positions |
Negotiate |
Gauge consensus |
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In a moderated caucus, the chair controls who speaks and each speaker delivers a prepared statement within a set time limit. In an unmoderated caucus, delegates move freely, negotiate in small groups, and draft clauses. Consultation of the Whole sits in the middle — the chair still controls the floor, but the tone is more conversational and exploratory.
The motion required to enter Consultation of the Whole is typically: "The delegate of [country] moves to enter Consultation of the Whole on Topic [X]." Once seconded, the chair puts it to a simple voice vote. If approved, the chair opens the floor and the consultation begins.
When to Use It
Knowing when to use Consultation of the Whole — versus a moderated or unmoderated caucus — is a critical skill. The decision tree below helps you choose the right procedure for your situation.
🔍
Need to gauge consensus on a broad topic?
Yes → Use Consultation of the Whole
This lets the entire committee share their positions openly. The chair can summarize where the committee stands and identify areas of agreement.
🎤
Need formal, structured debate on a specific motion?
Yes → Use Moderated Caucus
A moderated caucus gives each speaker a fixed time slot to present a prepared position. This is best when you need to hear from many delegations in an orderly way.
🤝
Need time to negotiate, draft clauses, or form blocs?
Yes → Use Unmoderated Caucus
An unmoderated caucus lets delegates move around the room, form working groups, and negotiate the language of a resolution privately.
💡
Use Consultation of the Whole when you want to listen before you act. It's the best way to find out if your resolution draft has broad support — or if you need to adjust your approach before formal debate begins.
Consultation of the Whole is particularly effective in three scenarios. First, after opening speeches have been delivered, when the chair wants to transition the committee into a more interactive discussion. Second, when a bloc has formed but isn't sure whether their draft resolution will gain enough support to pass. Third, when the committee is stuck on a contentious issue and needs to explore potential compromises before moving forward with formal debate.
How to Participate
Participating in Consultation of the Whole follows a simple sequence. Since the procedure is informal, the barrier to entry is low — but the most effective delegates still follow these steps.
1
Wait for the Chair to Open Consultation
The chair will announce that Consultation of the Whole has been approved and is now in session. Do not speak until the chair explicitly opens the floor. Interrupting before the chair signals readiness is considered poor form and may result in losing recognition.
2
Raise Your Placard to Be Recognized
Once the floor is open, raise your placard and wait to be recognized by the chair. The chair will typically call on delegates in the order they raised their placards. If you are not recognized immediately, keep your placard up and be patient.
3
Address the Chair
Begin your statement by addressing the chair directly. Use the phrase: "The delegate of [country] would like to note..." or "The delegate of [country] recognizes..." This signals that you are speaking officially on behalf of your delegation, even though the discussion is informal.
4
Make Your Point Concisely
Keep your statement between 30 and 60 seconds. This is not the time for a long speech — it's a brief contribution to gauge the committee's opinion. State your delegation's position clearly, then sit down. If the chair needs more detail, they will ask a follow-up question.
5
Reference Other Delegates' Points
The most effective Consultation of the Whole statements build on what others have said. If the delegate of France mentioned climate finance, and your country supports that idea, acknowledge it: "The delegate of India agrees with France and would add that technology transfer is equally important." This demonstrates active listening and builds consensus.
6
Close with a Suggestion or Question
End your statement by proposing a specific idea or asking a question that advances the discussion. For example: "Japan would like to propose that the committee consider a unified framework for climate finance and technology transfer." This gives the chair and other delegates something concrete to respond to.
💡
Keep statements brief. This is about gauging opinion, not delivering speeches. The chair and other delegates will remember the delegate who made a clear, concise point — not the one who talked for two minutes.
Sample Interaction
Below is a realistic example of Consultation of the Whole in action during a committee session on climate finance. Notice how each delegate builds on the previous speaker's point and keeps their contribution short.
Chair:
"The chair now opens Consultation of the Whole on Topic A: Climate Finance."
Delegate of France:
"France would like to note that climate finance mechanisms must be accessible to developing nations. France supports the Green Climate Fund's expansion and believes that donor nations should increase their contributions to meet the $100 billion annual target."
Delegate of India:
"India agrees with France and would add that technology transfer is equally important. India cannot address climate change without equitable access to clean energy technology. India proposes that any climate finance framework include mandatory provisions for technology sharing."
Delegate of Japan:
"Japan supports both points and would like to propose that the committee consider a unified framework for climate finance and technology transfer. Japan has experience with the Japan-Pacific Islands Forum partnership and would be happy to share best practices."
Chair:
"The chair thanks all delegations. Are there any further points?"
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Notice how each delegate acknowledged the previous speaker before adding their own position. This is the hallmark of effective Consultation of the Whole participation — it builds consensus and signals to the chair that a bloc may be forming.
Strategy Tips
Consultation of the Whole is one of the most underutilized procedures in MUN. Delegates who master it gain a significant advantage in the committee. Here are four strategies to make the most of it.
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Test your resolution's support before formal debate. Use Consultation of the Whole to float your key ideas and see how the committee responds. If three or four delegates signal agreement, you've likely found your bloc. If the response is lukewarm, revise your approach before drafting a resolution.
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Listen for potential allies. When other delegates speak during Consultation of the Whole, note which delegations share your position. After the session, approach them about co-sponsoring a resolution. This is far more efficient than negotiating randomly during an unmoderated caucus.
💡
Keep statements brief (30-60 seconds). The shorter and more focused your statement, the more likely other delegates are to remember it. A 30-second statement that clearly states your position and proposes a concrete idea is far more effective than a 2-minute speech that covers five different topics.
💡
Reference other delegates to build consensus. When you mention another delegation's point by name, you signal that you are listening and that you are willing to collaborate. This is the fastest way to build a bloc during Consultation of the Whole. Delegates who only talk about their own position are less likely to attract allies.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors that weaken your participation and cost you credibility with the chair.
| ❌ Don't |
✅ Do |
| Treat it like a moderated caucus and deliver a full speech |
Keep it to 30-60 seconds — state your position and one concrete point |
| Speak before the chair opens the floor |
Wait for the chair's signal before raising your placard |
| Ignore what other delegates said and only talk about your own position |
Acknowledge at least one other delegate's point before adding your own |
| Make binding commitments you can't walk back |
Use tentative language: "France would like to note..." or "Japan supports..." |
| Introduce completely new topics unrelated to the current discussion |
Stay focused on the specific topic the chair opened for consultation |
Checklist
Run through this checklist before and after your Consultation of the Whole participation to make sure you're following best practices.
-
✓
Motion was properly seconded and approved by the chair
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✓
Stayed on topic — addressed the specific issue opened for consultation
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✓
Addressed the chair at the start of your statement
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✓
Kept statement concise (under 60 seconds)
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✓
Referenced at least one other delegate's point to build consensus
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