Consensus

Definition

A mode of adoption of decisions, resolutions, or recommendations without voting. A decision is adopted by consensus if there is no formal explicit objection made. Whether there is consensus on an issue or not is determined by the presiding officer on the basis of the views expressed by delegates and his/her subjective assessment of the sense of the meeting. Decision-making is generally accomplished by consensus among the Parties in MEA fora. Normally, after discussion if it appears that consensus is emerging, the presiding officer will ask if there is consensus. If no Party makes a formal objection, he or she will declare that the issue is decided (often using the phrase, ‘It is so decided.’).

Details

Related concepts:
Quorum,
Presiding Officer,
Unanimity,
Chair's text,
Delegate,
Formal objection,
Parties,
Decision,
Resolution,
Contact group,
Drafting group,
Friends of the Chair,
Voting
Alternative labels:
Consensus decision-making,
Consensus decision making
URI:
https://vocabulary.informea.org/NegotiatorsGlossary/814

Documents

Documents tagged with Consensus

Case studies

Presentation

CARICOM Key Principles of Negotiation Training Slides

IISD/ENB summary meeting report

Manual

E-learning course

Rules of procedure

Negotiator's Handbook