DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION ADMITS 13 NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

TO ITS ROSTER FOLLOWING FIRST BIANNUAL MEETING ON 30 JUNE

 

The United Nations Department of Public Information’s Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations held the first of its biannual meetings on 30 June 2008.  It admitted 13 new non-governmental organizations to its roster, bringing the number of those that work with the Department in the area of communications and information outreach to 1,694.

The Department, which collectively works with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is a key focal point in the United Nations Secretariat for non-governmental organizations aspiring to work with the Organization.  Eric Falt, Outreach Division Director and Chair of the non-governmental organization association review committee, said that this meeting reviewed a significant number of non-governmental organizations.

As noted by the Committee, the newly associated non-governmental organizations represented five regions of the world: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, North America and Western Europe.  All of them conform to the principles of the United Nations Charter and fulfil the criteria of association implemented by the Department of Public Information.  Furthermore, they are involved in United Nations areas of interest, which range from education, social development, protection of ecosystems and women’s empowerment, through international exchange, youth and HIV/AIDS, to human rights, support of a democratic society, poverty alleviation and disaster response.

A non-governmental organization from Nigeria, the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention, associated this year, empowers women to fully participate in decision-making in society and teaches literacy and arithmetic to rural and urban women.  Serra Sippel of the Centre for Health and Gender Equity commented that the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention has been in the forefront of challenging some of the most important justice issues in Nigeria, such as gender equality and human rights.

One of the few Chinese non-governmental organizations associated with the Department, China Education Association for International Exchange, is committed to promoting the advancement of education, culture, science and technology, and development.  Members of the Committee remarked that, because China Education Association for International Exchange has a close link with the media in China, “it can play an important role in disseminating information about the UN and advocating for UN-related issues”.

United States Congressman Elijah Cummings stated that Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority “works tirelessly on ending disparities in health care and education, as well as enabling all Americans to reach their full potential”.  Its mission is to enhance the quality of life within the community through public service, leadership, development and education of youth.

A Mexican non-governmental organization, Tendiendo Puentes, has been innovative in the use of photography contests as a creative form of outreach.  It seeks to promote social, economic, political, cultural and technological changes through increased voluntary participation by civil society.

Muslim Aid has assisted in disaster response in different areas of the world.  Its latest emergency response, to Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, was in the outskirts of Yangon delivering ration packs and hygiene kits.

Following are the newly associated non-governmental organizations listed alphabetically and by regional group:

-- African States: Centre for Women Studies and Intervention ( Nigeria) and Plan Life ( Ghana);

-- Asian States: China Education Association for International Exchange ( China);

-- Latin American and Caribbean States: Central Reinvidicatoria de Acción Social International ( Mexico), Talking with the United Nations ( Brazil) and Tendiendo Puentes ( Mexico);

-- Western European and other States: The Loomba Trust (United Kingdom), Muslim Aid (United Kingdom), Center for Global Studies, University of Illinois (United States), Children International (United States), Peace Partnership International (United States), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (United States) and Unite for Sight (United States).

For further information, please contact DPI/NGO Relations at tel.: +1 212 963 6842 or email: dpingo@un.org.  The directory of non-governmental organizations associated with the Department of Information is also available at www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/index.asp.

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For information media • not an official record