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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 an Unmoderated Caucus?
An unmoderated caucus — often called an "unmod" — is the informal working time during a Model United Nations session when delegates are free to leave their seats, move around the room, and engage in direct negotiation with other delegates. Unlike a moderated caucus, where the chair controls who speaks and for how long, an unmod gives you the freedom to have real, unstructured conversations with anyone in the committee.
This is where the actual work of MUN happens. Resolutions are drafted, blocs are formed, alliances are solidified, and compromises are reached. The most successful delegates treat the unmod as the most important part of any session — because it is. A single well-executed unmod can transform a struggling draft resolution into a document that passes unanimously.
During an unmod, you might find yourself huddled in a corner with three other delegates redrafting operative clauses, or pulling a swing delegate aside to explain why your bloc's proposal addresses their country's concerns. The atmosphere is fast-paced, competitive, and collaborative all at once. You need to be ready to pitch your ideas concisely, listen to counterproposals, and adapt your strategy on the fly.
Think of the moderated caucus as the performance and the unmod as the backstage where the real negotiations occur. Chairs observe who takes initiative during unmods, who builds consensus, and who drives the committee forward — and those observations directly affect your awards.
Before the Unmod
The unmod doesn't start when the chair announces it — it starts the moment you begin your conference prep. Delegates who walk into an unmod with a plan always outperform those who improvise. Here's what to prepare before the first unmod even begins.
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Know your potential allies — research which countries share your position on key issues and voting blocs (e.g., EU, African Group, G77)
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Prepare 3–4 key talking points you can deliver in under 30 seconds each
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Draft a rough resolution outline — even a skeleton with your top 3 operative clauses
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Identify which delegates you need to convince and what their likely objections will be
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Review the working paper or draft resolution currently on the floor so you know what you're amending
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During moderated caucus, listen carefully to who aligns with your position. These are your first targets for the unmod. Note their names and flag colors so you can approach them immediately when the chair opens the floor.
The key principle is simple: preparation removes hesitation. When the chair says "the committee is now in unmoderated caucus," you should already know who you're walking toward and what you're going to say. Every minute spent figuring out your strategy during the unmod is a minute your competitors are spending closing deals.
During the Unmod — Strategy Map
The unmod follows a predictable sequence. Master each stage and you'll consistently produce better resolutions and earn more delegate awards.
Step 1
Find Allies
Approach delegates who share your position
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Step 2
Build Bloc
Consolidate a core group of 3–5 sponsors
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Step 3
Negotiate Solutions
Agree on operative clause language
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Step 4
Draft Resolution
Write or revise the full resolution text
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Step 5
Present to Chair
Submit or announce your bloc's draft
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Find Allies
Move quickly to the delegates you identified during moderated caucus. Open with a specific reference to something they said — "I noticed your delegation supported the data privacy framework — we're working on something similar." This shows you were listening and makes them more receptive. Don't pitch your entire resolution in the first 10 seconds; start with alignment, then move to specifics.
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Build Your Bloc
Once you have 2–3 delegates interested, form a tight core group. Decide who will draft which clauses, who will present the resolution to the chair, and who will recruit additional sponsors. A bloc of 3–5 committed delegates is far more effective than a loose group of 15 uncommitted ones. Quality over quantity — you need people who will actively support your resolution, not just sign their name.
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Negotiate Solutions
This is the hardest part. Your allies won't agree on everything. Be ready to compromise on operative clause wording while holding firm on your core principles. Propose specific language rather than vague ideas — "What if we said 'establishes a UN-funded digital literacy program' instead of 'supports digital education'?" Specific proposals move negotiations forward; vague ones stall them.
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Draft the Resolution
Assign one person to type while the group dictates. Use proper UN resolution format: heading with committee and topic, sponsors list, preamble clauses starting with "Affirming" / "Recognizing" / "Deeply concerned," and operative clauses starting with "Urges" / "Calls upon" / "Establishes." Read each clause aloud before finalizing — if anyone in the bloc can't explain what it does, rewrite it.
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Present to the Chair
Submit your draft to the chair's podium or announce your bloc's intention to introduce a resolution. Make sure every sponsor knows the resolution's key points — the chair may ask any of you to summarize it. Before submitting, do a final check: Are all sponsors listed? Are the preamble clauses relevant? Do the operative clauses actually do something specific?
How to Approach Other Delegates
Walking up to a stranger and pitching a diplomatic position can feel awkward. Here are four proven conversation openers that work in the MUN context, each adapted for a different situation.
Opening:
"Would your delegation be interested in co-sponsoring a resolution on [topic]? We're building a bloc that focuses on [specific angle]."
Best used when approaching a delegate you haven't spoken to before. Be specific about the topic — it shows you've done your research.
Building support:
"Our positions on [topic] seem aligned. Would you like to work together on drafting operative clauses that address both our delegations' priorities?"
Use this after you've heard them speak in moderated caucus and identified common ground. Referencing their specific statement builds credibility.
Negotiating:
"What if we adjusted the language to include [compromise]? That way your delegation's concern about [issue] is addressed while keeping our core objective intact."
The key phrase is "while keeping our core objective intact." It signals you're willing to bend on details but not on fundamentals.
Closing:
"Great, let's draft something and present it to the committee. Can I add your delegation as a co-sponsor? We're meeting in the corner to finalize the text."
Always end with a concrete next step. "Let's draft something" is vague — "we're meeting in the corner" gives them a place and a plan.
Building a Bloc
A successful bloc isn't just a group of countries that agree — it's a structured team with clear roles and layered commitment. Here's how the most effective MUN blocs are organized.
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Core Group (3–5 delegates) — The founders. These are the delegates who write the resolution, lead negotiations, and present to the chair. They must be deeply committed and available for every unmod. Choose allies who bring different strengths: one strong researcher, one persuasive speaker, one detail-oriented drafter.
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Extended Allies (5–10 delegates) — Supportive but not leading. These delegates agree with your resolution's general direction and will co-sponsor it, but they won't draft clauses or negotiate on your behalf. They add voting weight and legitimacy. Keep them informed with quick updates: "We've revised clause 3 to address concerns about sovereignty."
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Swing Delegates — The target for last-minute support. These are delegates who haven't committed to any bloc or who are in a competing bloc but might be persuaded. Approach them only after your resolution is drafted and you have a clear pitch. Never reveal internal bloc disagreements to swing delegates — present a united front.
The most common mistake is trying to recruit too many people too early. A bloc of 20 uncommitted delegates is weaker than a bloc of 5 committed ones. Start small, build something solid, then expand outward. You can always add co-sponsors later — but you can't un-ring the bell of a fractured bloc.
Sample Negotiation Dialogue
Here's a realistic, annotated conversation between two delegates during an unmod. The topic is AI regulation in the World Health Organization (WHO) committee.
Unmod Negotiation — France × India · WHO · AI Regulation
Initiating
France: "Delegates of India, France noticed your opening speech emphasized data sovereignty in AI healthcare systems. France is forming a bloc that focuses on ethical AI deployment in medical diagnostics — would your delegation be interested in co-sponsoring?"
Expressing interest
India: "That's interesting. India's delegation is concerned about bias in AI diagnostic tools — especially the lack of representation of South Asian populations in training datasets. Does your resolution address that?"
Finding common ground
France: "Absolutely. France has an operative clause that calls for the WHO to establish a global AI training data standard requiring demographic diversity in datasets. France could strengthen it by adding language about mandatory bias audits — would that address your delegation's priority?"
Negotiating specifics
India: "Yes, that would work. India would also want to include a clause on technology transfer — ensuring developing nations have access to AI diagnostic tools, not just the countries that develop them. Can India add that?"
Compromising
France: "France can draft something on equitable access. Let France adjust the language — what about 'calls upon member states to establish a global AI health equity fund to facilitate technology transfer to low- and middle-income countries'?"
Closing the deal
India: "That's exactly what India had in mind. Consider India a co-sponsor. India will head to the drafting corner and finalize the operative clauses — India has about 15 minutes left in this unmod."
Annotation
Key takeaways from this exchange: France opened with a specific reference to India's speech (credibility). They found common ground on bias audits before introducing their own priority (reciprocity). They drafted specific clause language on the spot rather than speaking in generalities (actionability). They ended with a concrete next step (momentum).
Common Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors that cost delegates influence during unmods and reduce their chances of earning awards.
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| Walk around aimlessly during the first unmod without a target |
Identify 2–3 specific delegates to approach before the chair announces the unmod |
| Pitch your entire resolution in a single 2-minute monologue |
Lead with alignment ("France's and India's positions on X overlap"), then ask what they care about |
| Only talk to delegates from your regional or political bloc |
Reach across blocs — a resolution with diverse sponsors is harder to vote against |
| Refuse to compromise on operative clause wording |
Hold firm on principles but be flexible on language — the goal is passage, not purity |
| Let one person dominate your bloc's negotiations |
Rotate who approaches new delegates and who presents — spread the leadership |
| Forget to collect co-sponsor signatures before submitting |
Get every sponsor's name and flag color confirmed before approaching the chair |
| Trash-talk competing resolutions to swing delegates |
Focus on your resolution's strengths — negative campaigning backfires in MUN |
| Spend the entire unmod in a corner with the same group |
Send one person to recruit while others draft — split your team strategically |
Unmod Checklist
Print this out or save it on your phone. Run through it before every unmod to make sure you're maximally prepared.
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Know your allies before the unmod starts — have a list of 2–3 target delegates
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Have 3–4 talking points prepared that you can deliver in under 30 seconds each
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Carry a draft resolution outline — even a handwritten skeleton with your top clauses
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Collect at least 3 sponsorship commitments before the next moderated caucus
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Keep conversations focused and time-bound — respect that others have strategy too
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Write down every clause agreement immediately — memory fails under conference pressure
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Assign one person in your bloc to draft while you negotiate — parallel work wins
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