ASSOCIATIVE CONSULTATIVE STATUS AS AN NGO What does

ASSOCIATIVE / CONSULTATIVE STATUS AS AN NGO What does this mean?

NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS A non-government organization (NGO) is any local, national or international citizens group ( i. e. not part of any government) which does not work for profit. Our congregation has always been an NGO

The UN Flag The UN Emblem The UN came into existence on 24 October, Today there are 1931945. independent memberstates – signatories to the UN Charter/Treaty

The Holy See is one of only two nonmember states with a Permanent Observer status The other is the State of Palestine The UN Headquarters is in New York Main Offices: Nairobi, Geneva, Official languages – English, Spanish, French, Russian, Vienna Chinese & Arabic

The structure of the United Nations There are six main organs … SECRETARIAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL ECONOMIC AND SOCIALCOUNCIL INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY • 193 Member states • Where each state has a voice • And each state has one vote The General Assembly elects all the other organs of government including the non permanent members of the Security Council

SECURITY COUNCIL Established for the maintenance of world peace & international security n n Its power and authority has been in question – most controversial organ 5 Permanent Members with veto-powers and 10 other elected members (2 -year term)

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE Judicial organ of the UN which decides disputes between states A 15 -member court

THE TRUSTEE COUNCIL Originally set up to provide international supervision for the 11 Trust Territories to ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self government or independence.

THE SECRETARIAT Carries out the substantive and administrative work of the UN as directed by the General Assembly, the Security Council and the other organs. *UN-DPI is under this organ. The Secretary General is currently Ban Ki Moon

ECONOMIC & SOCIAL COUNCIL Main forum for economic issues such as trade, transport, economic development Social issues such as population, children, housing, women’s rights, racial discrimination, narcotics, crime, social welfare, youth, human

Programs and Organizations you will recognize n n n UNDP - United Nations Development Program UNICEF - UN Children’s Fund WFP - World Food Program UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees WHO - World Health Organization UNEP - United Nations Environmental Program

Where do NGO’s have a voice and exert influence? SECRETARIAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

In the formulation of policies and action in each specific area of activity, ECOSOC commissions depend heavily on the grass roots experiences, eye witness accounts, and advice of those NGO’s working in developing countries. There are NGO commissions and committees which mirror those of the United Nations. It is by working in collaboration with ECOSOC commissions, committees and agencies that NGO’s make significant contributions.

Working through the Department of Public Information By providing information to commissions and committees that draft policies and propose action for systematic change Associates are able to influence both policy and action by the UN on a world wide basis

Our Representative at the United Nations n n Attends open meetings of subjects of particular interest to the congregation Attends NGO meetings on these subjects and takes part in discussions that lead to the formation of policies

In Brief 1) Non-governmental organizations have been active in the United Nations since its founding. 2) They interact with the UN Secretariat, programs, funds and agencies and they consult with the Member States.

3) NGO work related to the UN comprises a number of activities including: - information dissemination, - awareness raising, - development education, - policy advocacy, - joint operational projects, and - providing technical expertise and collaborating with UN agencies, programs and funds. This work is undertaken in formal and

Official UN Secretariat relations with NGOs: 1) consultations with governments and 2) information servicing by the Secretariat. *These functions are the responsibility of two main offices of the UN Secretariat dealing with NGOs: the NGO Unit of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the NGO Section of the Department of Public Information. *Formal interactions between NGOs and the UN are governed by the UN Charter and related resolutions

*In February 2003, the Secretary-General also appointed a High Level Panel of Eminent Persons to produce a practical set of recommendations as to how the UN's work with Civil Society could be improved. The final report of the Panel has been presented to the Secretary-General in June 2004.

To sum up, NGOs may cooperate with the United Nations in at least four ways: 1. NGOs may receive accreditation for a conference, summit or other event organized by the United Nations. Such accreditation is issued through the Secretariat preparing the event and expires upon completion of the event. It entitles NGOs to participate in the preparation process and in the event itself, thus contributing to its outcome.

2. NGOs may establish working relations with particular Departments, Programs or Specialized Agencies of the United Nations System, based on shared fields of interest and potential for joint activities complementing the work of the United Nations office in a particular area. For more information, see: http: //outreach. un. org/ngorelations/ http: //www. un-ngls. org/orf/ngls_handbook. htm

3. International NGOs active in the field of economic and social development may seek to obtain consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

4. NGOs that have at their disposal regular means of disseminating information, either through their publications, radio or television programs, or through their public activities such as conferences, lectures, seminars or workshops, and that are willing to devote a portion of their information programs to dissemination of information about the United Nations, may apply for association with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI).