PRESS CONFERENCE ON UNITED NATIONS-CIVIL SOCIETY RELATIONS

It was time to look at new methods of interaction between the United Nations and non-State actors, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former President of Brazil and Chairman of the Secretary-General’s Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations Relations with Civil Society, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon.

He said that, having held its first meetings yesterday and this morning, the panel of 12 had been given a mandate to review and propose improvements in United Nations relations with non-governmental organizations, parliamentarians, foundations, and members of the private sector.  Panel members, acting in their personal capacities, came from Colombia, Hungary, India, Iran, Jordan, Mali, Mozambique, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and United States.

The last decade’s explosion in the number of civil society organizations had prompted the Secretary-General to call for the review.  In that regard, the panel was researching organizations and possible areas of contact, setting guidelines for discussions, and consulting with all actors to better understand what kinds of links could be established.

He said that during the last decade United Nations conferences on women, racism, and the environment, for example, had encouraged a new type of interaction between the United Nations and civil society.  The new situation now had to be understood and built upon.  Conceding that non-State actors were not necessarily entitled to make decisions, he said that at least they could influence governments and take part in deliberations.  In that context, his panel would submit a report to the Secretary-General recommending mechanisms to smooth the relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental actors.

Fielding a question about problems faced by the panel, he said that, since civil society was raising new questions and putting more direct pressure on policy makers, it was important to harness the new energy to further democratize the international order.

Asked whether the panel would concern itself with which non-governmental organizations were barred from speaking at the United Nations, he responded that the matter would indeed be considered and assessed.

Responding to a question about whether the panel would promote the participation of civil society organizations in the Security Council, he said that, although some groups were pushing in that direction, the panel would probably not suggest such a broad proposal.  He added that it was difficult to reconcile the emphasis the United Nations placed on States with the importance of non-State actors, because of the ambiguity of the United Nations Charter.  After all, the Charter made it clear that the Organization was comprised of States, and yet it emphasized “international values”, such as human rights, which were often addressed by non-governmental actors.

When a correspondent, referring to the recent appointment of Sergio Vieira de Mello as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Iraq, asked about lessons democratizing countries could learn from Brazil, he responded that in Latin America stronger civil societies had ensured more stable democracies.  Expressing hope that democracy was irreversible, he added that there was positive peer pressure among Latin American countries to maintain democracy in the region.

Responding to a follow-up question about whether it was possible to bring about democracy through military force, as had been done in Iraq, he said no.  Democracy required dialogue, the changing of hearts and minds and cultural and institutional transformation, he said.  It could not be imposed.

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