COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMENDS CONSULTATIVE STATUS FOR ISIS INTERNATIONAL (CHILE)

31 January 1996

Press Release
NGO/267

COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMENDS CONSULTATIVE STATUS FOR ISIS INTERNATIONAL (CHILE)

19960131 Defers Action on Application by International Energy Foundation

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations this morning recommended that the Economic and Social Council should grant Category II consultative status to ISIS International (Chile) and deferred action on the application by the International Energy Foundation, pending further information.

The Committee thus completed action on two of the three applications it was expected to consider in its resumed session, which will conclude on 2 February. The third, by ISIS International Women's Information and Communication Service (Philippines), could be considered on Thursday, 1 February.

At its meeting on 23 June 1995, the Committee had decided to defer considering the applications to the resumed session. It had, on a proposal by the United States, decided to reconsider its earlier recommendation for Category II status for ISIS (Chile) and to request the organization to provide information on its links with the International Lesbian and Gay Association, an association listed as a participant in ISIS International's information network. That association's consultative status had been suspended by the Economic and Social Council.

Receiving consultative status with the Council allows the non- governmental organizations to participate, to varying degrees, in the deliberations of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. Organizations with Category I status could submit written statements to the Council, to be granted hearings and to propose agenda items for consideration by the Council and its subsidiary bodies. Category II organizations can also submit written statements and be granted hearings. Those placed on the Council's roster may only submit written statements.

All organizations holding Categories I and II status are required to report every four years on their work in support of the United Nations, as governed by guidelines set in Council resolution 1296 (XLIV) of May 1968.

After examining the reports, the Committee may recommend to the Council any appropriate reclassification in the status of the organizations concerned.

In its action in that regard, the Committee took note of the quadrennial report for 1990-1993 from the World Veterans Federation. The action had been deferred on Monday at the behest of Greece, which had taken exception to the organization's reference to two sides in Cyprus. Greece had stated that there was only one internationally recognized Government on that Mediterranean island. After the Federation clarified it position, Greece's representative said today that he was satisfied and withdrew his objection.

During the discussions on the applications from the two ISIS organizations, from the Philippines and Chile, the representative of the United States said that ISIS Chile's application could be considered, since it had severed its links with the organization whose status had been suspended. The ISIS Chile and ISIS Philippines were different and independent as the "mother ISIS in Rome" had been disbanded. She said she was not ready to discuss the application by International Energy Foundation.

The representative of Cuba said that the organizations should be given Category II status based on the merit of their work and in the light of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing. Costa Rica's representative agreed, adding that non-governmental organizations from the developing countries were modest, often not seeking Category I or II immediately.

Since the categories would be renamed as general and special categories, ISIS deserved to be placed in the special category, dealing with women, the representative of Chile said.

The representative of the Russian Federation said he would not upset any consensus on granting the organizations Category II status. The Philippines' representative said that ISIS International Women's Information and Communication Service (Philippines) should be granted that status, as it would be asked to perform greater communication roles in light of the Beijing Conference.

According to a document before the Committee, ISIS International Women's Information and Communication Service, which seeks roster classification, is based in Quezon City, Philippines. Founded in 1974, it is not affiliated with any non-governmental organization already in status. It aims to promote women's empowerment and full participation in development, provide channels to make their voices heard at the planning and policy-making levels and build links of solidarity among women worldwide to take part in community development.

Committee on NGOs - 3 - Press Release NGO/267 586th Meeting (AM) 31 January 1996

The ISIS International (Chile), which sought roster classification, was founded in 1974 in Rome and in 1984 in Santiago, according to the document before the Committee. It is not affiliated to a non-governmental organization already in consultative status with the Council. The organization aims to promote the empowerment of women and their full participation in development, promote a communications channel among women around the world, especially South-South communication, and to build solidarity among women worldwide and strengthen local, regional and global women's networks.

The International Energy Foundation, which requests category II classification, is based in Tripoli and was founded in 1989. It is not affiliated to non-governmental organizations already in consultative status. The organization aims to act as a charitable foundation fostering world education and scientific research, promoting communication among people interested in energy consumption, production and conservation, and disseminating knowledge on such matters through symposia, publications and other media.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Thursday, 1 February, to consider, among other things, the application of ISIS (Philippines).

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