SECRETARY-GENERAL CITES 'PROFOUND CHANGE' IN ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, IN OPENING ADDRESS TO FIFTIETH DPI/NGO CONFERENCE
Press Release
SG/SM/6320
PI/1027
SECRETARY-GENERAL CITES 'PROFOUND CHANGE' IN ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, IN OPENING ADDRESS TO FIFTIETH DPI/NGO CONFERENCE
19970910 Calls United Nations/NGO Partnership 'Not an Option But a Necessity' for Effectively Addressing New Global AgendaFollowing is the text of the opening address delivered today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Fiftieth Annual Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization (DPI/NGO) Conference, meeting on the theme "Building Partnerships":
It is a real pleasure and honour for me to welcome you all to the United Nations today.
This Conference celebrates an anniversary, but it also marks a new era. We celebrate 50 years of what has become an annual event; but this year we also recognize that a profound change has occurred.
The nature of this event, and of the relationship between the United Nations and the organizations of civil society that it has come to symbolize, have been transformed beyond all recognition since 1947.
My own recent experience as Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, confirms that. In 1992, for the first time, the mandate of a peacekeeping operation -- the United Nations Operation in Somalia -- included the protection of humanitarian workers.
On one occasion the NGOs -- 40 of them -- decided to have a picnic on the beach at Mogadishu. When they were attacked, they asked for the protection of United Nations peacekeepers. The United Nations commander's first reaction was, "Why didn't they tell me they were going to do this?"
This incident illustrates for me a cultural gap that has now well-nigh disappeared.
Today, we know each other well. On human rights, on humanitarian emergencies, close cooperation is now the norm. Your presence here, in larger
numbers than ever before, is in itself a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of this Conference. It is eloquent testimony to the changes that have occurred.
The number of organizations taking part has reached an all-time high. Today, representatives of 637 non-governmental organizations from 61 countries, from all regions of the world, have gathered here.
You have come here entirely voluntarily and at your own expense. Your presence, your enthusiasm, your commitment, are proof that the era of civil society is now, well and truly, a reality.
In 1947, the Member States of the United Nations were virtually the sole actors in the international process. Non-governmental organizations were seen as supporters and allies of the United Nations. They were important, but in a relatively modest way. They were seen, above all, as mobilizers of public opinion in support of the unique goals and values of the Charter of the United Nations.
Today, that relationship has been transformed. As the title of this Conference recognizes, the relationship today is one of partnership. Non- governmental organizations are now seen as essential partners of the United Nations, not only in mobilizing public opinion, but also in the process of deliberation and policy formulation and -- even more important -- in the execution of policies, in work on the ground.
I spoke a moment ago about Somalia. There, for a number of years, the United Nations and NGOs have worked in partnership on the ground.
In a whole variety of ways, the NGOs have become indispensable partners of the United Nations. The NGOs are often there on the ground before the international community gives the United Nations the mandate to act. The NGO information, guidance and inspiration can be crucial to us at the United Nations.
The NGOs are particularly crucial -- and I speak again from my own experience -- in preventive diplomacy, in humanitarian work, in development and in human rights.
The relationship is complementary, as in the best human relationships. Each contributes something unique, producing a result that is greater than the sum of its parts.
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It is a relationship based on trust, because partnership is both a privilege and a responsibility. That fact was recognized by the first group of non-governmental organizations, acting as consultants to the San Francisco Conference in 1945. "We shall spare no effort", they wrote, "to see that in all the years that follow, the work begun at San Francisco is broadened and sustained by an active public interest and an informed public opinion".
Already, around the world, the United Nations and the non-governmental community are working hand-in-hand, together. Committed non-governmental organizations devoted to the objectives of the Charter -- such as United Nations Associations -- mobilize public opinion in support of the United Nations.
But the global Conferences, from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) at Rio onwards, broke new ground. The wholehearted commitment and involvement of non-governmental organizations extended to the very conference process itself.
Since then, practical cooperation has become commonplace. In a vast range of activities, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations are now operational partners. Let me give some examples.
In mine-clearance in Afghanistan, the United Nations has been working with six Afghan non-governmental organizations, one international non- governmental organization and a relief agency from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
We are engaged in a new dialogue with the private sector. An exchange of expertise, knowledge, advice and data is under way.
Non-governmental organizations dealing with human rights have been essential partners with the United Nations in the rebuilding of civil society after conflict in such countries as Cambodia, El Salvador and Guatemala.
The involvement of local government leaders, of mayors and of officials of provincial administrations from many countries has been crucial in United Nations programmes on governance. There is an important ongoing dialogue with them.
The crucial importance of elected parliamentarians as partners in the realization of our common goals has been recognized by the close relationship now established between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
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This new partnership is more than ever necessary. The world faces a daunting agenda of global challenges. Our partnership is vital because we face new enemies -- the forces of what I call "uncivil" society. They are the enemies of civil society.
These new global enemies, which can be combatted only through international cooperation, include drug-traffickers, money-launderers, gun- runners, the exploiters of young people for prostitution and currency fraudsters. They all move in the netherworld between state sovereignty and international cooperation. They are part of the dark underside of the process of economic globalization.
The positive effects of globalization include the huge growth and development of NGOs, easier access to information and the free exchange of people and ideas; but the downside of globalization includes these new global threats.
To combat them, international civil society must mobilize. That is why we must all -- Member States, governmental and inter-governmental bodies, and non-governmental organizations -- work together in partnership.
Our partnership is, therefore, not an option but a necessity, if the new global agenda is to be effectively addressed.
I congratulate you on the progress that has been made in defining the rights and responsibilities of non-governmental organizations.
Already, many States are focusing on the necessary legislative frameworks. These arrangements include provision for tax exemption -- in other words fiscal privileges -- but they also address and define the responsibilities of not-for-profit organizations.
In the Russian Federation, President Yeltsin signed, in May 1995, the Federal Law on Public Associations. In Japan, Senator Akiko Domoto has promoted legislation to provide nationwide standards for not-for-profit associations and foundations.
I understand that the representative of the International Federation of Red Cross Societies will be explaining their initiative in developing a code of conduct for NGOs involved in operational and humanitarian activities.
These are important matters on your agenda this week.
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But further discussion will be needed. The process will take years rather than months.
As far as the United Nations itself is concerned, as soon as I became Secretary-General, I embarked on a process of reform. My reform plan, which I presented to the General Assembly, will be debated by the Assembly this month. Decisions will, I hope, follow soon.
My vision is of a new and transformed Organization -- one with enhanced leadership and management capabilities; with a streamlined structure; an Organization that acts as one United Nations at the country level; an Organization that is better prepared for humanitarian and political crises; an Organization with highly skilled staff; an Organization with a stronger role in development cooperation; and an Organization that is better managed and capable of reducing its costs to deliver a "dividend for development".
In my reform report, I floated the idea that alongside a "Millennium Assembly of the United Nations", the NGOs might consider holding a "People's Millennium Assembly".
I hope you will examine it further. It could provide an excellent opportunity for cementing the new partnership.
I, for my part, stand ready to receive your ideas and suggestions about the form and nature of our future partnership.
Let us target the year 2000 for the completion of the task of launching a new and strong relationship between the United Nations and the NGO community.
I wish you well in your deliberations. This is a historic conference. We are staking out new territory.
"A journey of a thousand miles", the Africans say, "begins with a single step". Whether as peacekeepers, aid workers or simply as individuals, we can make a difference. The concern which our presence proves can have a vital impact.
For both the threatened and the threatening, it makes a difference to know that the world is watching, and that it cares.
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