Committee on NGOs

2001 Session

20^th Meeting (PM)

COMMITTEE DEFERS APPLICATIONS OF THREE NGOS SEEKING CONSULTATIVE STATUS

WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

This afternoon, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) deferred the applications of three organizations for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. 

The applications of Vaestolitto –- Family Federation of Finland, Pioneer People Trust and Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation were deferred, pending further clarifications.

Members of the Committee commended Vaestolitto –- Family Federation of Finland for the good work it was doing, particularly among women and children.  Nevertheless, concerns about the composition of the organization, particularly the inclusion of political parties, caused the Committee to defer a decision, pending further clarifications. 

Expressing support for the organization, Cuba’s representative noted that the inclusion of political parties might lead some to believe that the NGO carried out politically motivated actions.  While some of the NGO’s components were political parties, it did not deal in political matters but in issues of health and education.

Regarding Pioneer People Trust, an international organization seeking special status, questions were raised about its finances, its link to the Antioch Christian Center and the relation of some of its aims, such as the “worship of God”, to the work of the Council.  The Acting Chairperson, Mercedes de Armas Garcia (Cuba), noted that there were a number of organizations with a religious background, which were making a useful contribution to the Council’s work. 

The application of the Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation was deferred in order to allow time for delegations to relay the NGO’s responses to their capitals.

Also this afternoon, in connection with the Committee’s review of its working methods, the representatives of Germany and India briefed the Committee on the status of a draft questionnaire they were working on.  It was felt that streamlining the present questionnaire sent to NGOs would lead to a more concise and focused document. 

The 19-member Committee considers, among other things, applications submitted by NGOs for consultative status and their requests for reclassification. 

Non-governmental, non-profit voluntary organizations can be admitted into consultative status with the Council if they meet the requirements detailed in Council resolution 1996/31, regarding matters which include the organization’s activities, decision-making processes and resources.

Non-governmental organizations with consultative status are classified under the "general", "special" or "roster" categories.  Those in the general category must be "concerned with most of the activities of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies".  The special category concerns those "which have a special competence in, and are concerned specifically with, only a few of the fields of activity covered by the Council".  The roster category relates to NGOs which "can make occasional and useful contributions to the work of the Council or its subsidiary bodies". 

Different privileges and obligations are accorded to each category.  NGOs with general status can propose items for the Council agenda, attend and speak at meetings and circulate statements.  Those with special status can attend meetings and circulate statements, while those on the roster can only attend meetings.  Organizations with general and special status must report every four years on their activities in support of the United Nations.

Statements were also made this morning by the representatives of India, Russian Federation, France, Germany, Algeria, United States, Ethiopia and Pakistan.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday 21 May to continue consideration of applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification.

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