News from the Board
Those of us participating again in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) last month experienced something new. At its seventieth meeting, for the first time ever, the commission adopted its outcome document known as the Agreed Conclusions by vote, departing from the Commission’s traditional practice of adopting such outcomes by consensus.
Why is this important?
When a group of participants need to make a decision, they can choose between different decision-making processes. One option is to take a vote, another is to adopt an outcome, decision or plan by consensus. The United Nations works mainly with consensus and only rarely makes a decision by vote. In ICUUW, the Board adopted decision-making by consensus with the beginning of the current Board year last August.
We learned decision-making by consensus from the Quakers and the United Nations
Quakers do not vote. Instead, they engage in a process of communal discernment involving honest sharing, deep listening, and shared reflection to make decisions for the common good. The process is grounded in the belief that when several people come together, they deliberate to find the best solution. As the Quaker organization American Friends Service Committee says, “they seek unity about the wisest course of action.” Meetings are conducted in a way that nurtures and supports finding the best way forward.
The General Assembly (GA) of the United Nations follows a similar process for decision-making. It debates, negotiates and then decides by consensus. Adopting a draft without a vote is the most basic definition of what consensus means.
Why decision-making by consensus is the right process for us
Decisions reached by vote only need to get a majority. There is no need to care about or try to understand the perspectives of the minority who disagree. This process can be divisive. Decisions by consensus are concerned about the viewpoint of everyone, and seek compromise, taking different points of view into consideration. This process is more collaborative and inclusive. We talk until all of us are satisfied with the decision and the way forward.
Reaching consensus is not the same as being unanimous. Not everyone has to agree. Sometimes a Board member can agree to a decision but still have reservations. The important point is that there is nothing so disagreeable about the decision that someone feels it must be put to a vote.
We have been practicing decision-making by consensus for some time; in August last year we formally adopted it as our way of working together on the Board. And it is working well for us. Our discussions go deeper, more members participate. We come from different places and learning from each other in these discussions contributes to us enjoying our Board meetings.
What happened at CSW70?
Any member can request a vote. This year, the United States requested a vote on the outcome document known as the Agreed Conclusions. Commission Chair Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica said extensive consultations had taken place to reflect the diversity of views among Member States. “We are convinced that the text represents the most balanced outcome achievable at this stage,” she said before the Commission moved to a vote. The Agreed Conclusions were approved by a recorded vote of 37 in favour to one against (United States), with six abstentions.