Committee on NGOs

3^rd & 4^th Meetings (AM & PM)

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES 12 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS

FOR SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Defers Action on 19 Applications

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations concluded its second full day today, approving 12 civil-society organizations for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and deferring 19.

The 19-member Committee uses various criteria to recommend general consultative, special consultative or roster status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, including the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.  Organizations that have general and special consultative status can attend meetings of the Council and circulate statements of a certain length.  Those with general status can, in addition, speak at meetings and propose items for the Council’s agenda, while non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with roster status can only attend meetings.

Non-governmental organizations with general and special consultative status must submit a report to the Council every four years.  “Taking note” of a quadrennial report implies that the Committee finds the report adequate for fulfilment of that obligation.  In exceptional circumstances, for instance, when there has been a complaint, the Committee can request a “special report”.

Among the civil-society groups whose applications were left pending was Maasai Aid Association, a national organization headquartered in Switzerland seeking to assist the Maasai population by, among other things, safeguarding human rights and the rights of children, including by working to eradicate female genital mutilation and forced early marriage and engaging in health education activities.  Another was from PeaceBuilders, a national organization based in Hiroshima, Japan, which aims to make modest contributions in peacebuilding through working with people in conflict-affected countries who are struggling to build lasting, just peace with circles of “peacebuilders”. 

Consideration of those applications prompted debate this morning about interpretation of a provision (paragraph 8) in the ECOSOC resolution (1996/31) guiding the Committee’s decision-making process.  The question hinged on whether or not to grant status to a national organization whose host Government had not offered its view of the candidate.  Committee Chairman Hassan Hamid Hassan ( Sudan) informed members that there were almost 69 new applications before the Committee, and responses to them had been received from only four Member States.  He thought the Committee could “evolve a way out” during an informal meeting.

Nevertheless, discussion ensued on this point, involving interventions from several delegations.  Egypt’s representative suggested that a reminder could be sent to delegations, which might respond during the session.  If the resolution’s provision was going to be applied, it should be applied “across the board, no matter what”, he asserted.  Similarly, India’s speaker worried that accreditation was being granted based purely on what an NGO writes to the Committee.  He said there had to be “at least a single place where we do some verification, or we don’t actually know what we’re approving here”.

China’s representative said that the resolution’s paragraph 8 clearly stipulated that national NGOs applying for status should seek prior endorsement from their national Governments.  He did not believe that, in the haste to finish the work at hand, the Committee could ignore that provision.  Perhaps the Committee could listen to the views of those representatives of Permanent Missions with NGOs from their countries presently being considered for status.

Along those lines, Pakistan’s speaker said the resolution provided guidelines to the Committee and could not be disregarded.  The response from Member States remained an important piece of information for the Committee.

The United Kingdom’s speaker, however, felt that sending out more letters to Missions would hold hostage the applications, such as the one from Peacebuilders.  She was strongly opposed to requiring national NGOs to seek endorsement from their Governments before granting them status with ECOSOC.  Already, more than 3,000 groups had been accredited, and she dared to say that over 50 per cent were national and the Committee had never had this discussion.  She did not think it was wise to change the rules “in the middle of the game”. 

The Committee had a fiduciary duty to the NGOs to use its time as efficiently as possible, the United States’ delegate said.  The Committee’s rules had been in place for more than 10 years, and he was confused about why the Committee was coming up with new ones.  The United States closely reviewed all applications, but it would not be in a position to certify that a particular United States-based NGO was or was not endorsed by the Government.  If the Committee proceeded in that fashion, that would be “a big problem for our Government”. 

The Chairman proposed this morning, in line with several suggestions, that the Committee continue consideration of international organizations and of national organizations with Government representatives present in the room.  After having agreed to that suggestion, Committee members took up the application by Muslim Aid Australia (MAA) -- a national organization based in Sydney, Australia, primarily mandated to undertake overseas aid work involving the welfare of orphans, widows and refugees, development assistance to communities in cycles of poverty, and emergency assistance to those struck by civil and natural calamities. 

After hearing from the observer from Australia, the Committee deferred the application.  Egypt’s representative requested that the correct United Nations terminology be reflected throughout the application and that it be revised accordingly.  Israel’s representative sought some clarification about the organization’s activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza.

Along those lines, the Committee next heard from the observer from France concerning the application of Regards de Femmes (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.18).  The national organization based in Lyon, France, works to combat stereotypes that keep girls and boys confined within expected patterns of behaviour, to promote political and professional parity and to fight violence against women, in a spirit of solidarity among the women of France, Europe and the world. 

Despite several recommendations by Committee members for its classification under consultative status, Egypt’s representative requested clarification from the organization regarding the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and more details about its activities outside France, as well as its relationship with other NGOs in Europe and elsewhere. 

France’s observer noted that Regards de Femmes was working to protect the dignity of women wherever it worked, and its activities quite clearly fell in the framework of the Charter and Vienna Programme of Action, so he saw no reason why the Committee was not in a position to accord it special consultative status immediately.  The Chairman said that, pending the requested clarification, the Committee would return to the application.

When members took up the application from Magnificat Environment Association (MEA), China’s representative asked the Secretariat to provide an English translation of the organization’s written reply in French to the Committee’s questions, as he had requested yesterday for another application.  A discussion ensued, in which France’s observer reminded members that French was a working language of the United Nations and the fact that the NGO had formulated its response in French should in no way be a pretext for deferring a decision on it.  The Secretariat read out the reply in French, which was simultaneously interpreted in English.  The application was subsequently deferred because questions were still pending on it. 

This afternoon, it was agreed that the Committee would continue its discussion of the inputs of the host States in relation to the applications of national NGOs in an informal setting tomorrow at lunchtime.  Nevertheless, divergent views on the matter continued to emerge during consideration of a number of applications from national civil-society groups.

For example, when the application for the Afro Centre for Development, Peace and Justice, a Nigerian-based national organization aimed at, among other things, promoting peaceful co-existence and entrenchment of democratic values in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, came up for consideration, the representatives of Cuba and Egypt said information was needed from the State regarding certain points raised about the NGO, lest the Committee risk going beyond the limits of the internal affairs of States.  The United Kingdom’s speaker said that, while more information might be needed about the NGO, opinions were not required of Nigeria, since the Committee had not yet resolved that issue. 

The Committee decided to grant special consultative status to the following civil-society organizations: 

-- Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (document E/C.2/2009/R.2) a United States-based international organization devoted to mobilizing international business against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria;

-- International Association of Medical Colleges (IAOMC) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.12) a United States-based international organization aimed at enriching medical education/practice via peer evaluation/accreditation of medical schools and to resolve issues surrounding medical ethics, education, certification, licensure and practice;

-- International Center Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.8) a United States-based international organization facilitating the generation of opportunities for young people to change their communities for the better and build essential skills for future success through civic engagement; 

-- World Political Forum (WPF) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.8) an international organization permanently headquartered in Turin, Italy, that seeks to identify, through intense analysis and the exchange of diverse experiences, concrete and politically feasible solutions to the unprecedented challenges of the global and multi-polar world, opening the way towards a new civilization; 

-- Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) (document E/C.2/R.2/Add.10) a national organization based in Ankara, which ensures unity and solidarity between chambers and commodity exchanges, enhances development of the professions in conformance with general interest, facilitates professional work of its members, promotes honesty and confidence in the relations of members with one another and with the general public and preserves professional discipline and ethnics; 

-- Viet Nam Peace and Development Foundation (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.13) a national organization based in Hanoi City contributing to, among other things,  peace and development in Viet Nam, especially the realization of economic growth, social development and environmental protection;

-- Women and Memory Forum (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.18) a national organization in Giza, Egypt, aimed at producing and promoting alternative knowledge about the role of women in Egyptian and Arab cultural history; advocating and promoting the integration of gender as a category of analysis in the study and interpretation of Arab history and social sciences; and raising awareness about the rights and roles of women;

-- Women’s Education and Culture Foundation (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.16) a national organization based in Istanbul, Turkey, which aims to assist poor families with many children, by assuring them a formal education; 

-- Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.1) an international organization based in Osaka, Japan, which seeks to promote human rights in the Asia-Pacific region; introduce Asia-Pacific perspectives on human rights to the international community and ensure inclusion of human rights principles in Japanese international cooperation activities; and raises human rights awareness among the people in Japan; 

-- Bar Association for International Governmental Organizations, Inc. (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.18) a United States-based international organization aimed at, among other things, the promotion of the fair and equal administration of justice and implementation of the United Nations Charter, international covenants and conventions on justice, on judicial independence, on civil rights, on labour and human rights, including due process, within the ambit of international governmental organizations practices. 

During an interaction with representatives of this organization this afternoon, exchanges were held about the association’s ability to adapt to new rules in the United Nations system and about its knowledge of the very specialized issue of registration and charters of incorporation in each country shaping eligibility under ECOSOC or United Nations resolutions to submit an application.  The association has extensive knowledge of national legislation, which, in many countries, was very complex, members heard.  Discussion also centred on whether the group was facilitating membership of NGOs from developing countries.

-- Friends of Africa International, Inc. (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.3) a United States-based international organization designed to provide research-oriented policy advice, advocacy, training, and resources to regional and international institutions through its multifaceted programmes in Africa; 

-- Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.13) headquartered in Doha, Qatar, extends Qatar Foundation’s mission across Asia and the Middle East by, among other things, dissolving barriers to education; enhancing the quality of education; bringing education to the most marginalized groups; enhancing skills within schools and the community at large; and building a connected learning community through the use of technology. 

When this application came up for consideration in the morning, a decision was deferred to the afternoon meeting, pending replies to questions posed by Israel’s representative from a member of the organization, who would be present for the segment set aside for interaction with NGOs.  The representative supplied a detailed response to several questions, including its work in Gaza, which began after the organization had applied for status with ECOSOC last May.  After replying to several additional questions by other Committee members, it was agreed that consultative status should be granted to this civil-society group. 

The Committee decided to defer several applications, owing to a lack of reply from the organization to questions posed by the Committee, insufficient response, or additional questions or requests for further clarification.  In some cases, the unresolved issue of a lack of “consultation” with the Member State concerned, in the case of a national organization, was raised.  The deferred applications were from the following organizations:

-- International Institute for the Development of Citizenship (IIDAC)/Instituto Internacional para o Desenvolvimento da Cidadania (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.7) a national organization based in Anapolis City Goias, Brazil, working to support and assist the principle human development agencies around the world, particularly the United Nations, in the realization of their mandates globally.  It was deferred owing to no reply to a written request of the Secretariat for more information from the Government of Brazil; 

-- Maasai Aid Association (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.7) a national organization headquartered in Switzerland seeking to assist the Maasai population by, among other things, assisting in the education of underprivileged children, safeguarding human rights and the rights of children, specifically working to eradicate female genital mutilation and forced early marriage, and engaging in health education activities; 

-- Magnificat Environment Association (MEA) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.15), permanently headquartered in Gbadago-Lome, is a national organization that seeks to promote environmental education and, among other things, make the environment viable for all, and protect and manage the environment, ensuring the sustainable development of natural resources; 

-- PeaceBuilders (E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.17), permanently headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, is a national organization that aims to make modest contributions in peacebuilding through working with people in conflict-affected countries who are struggling to build lasting, just peace with circles of “peacebuilders”; 

-- World Lung Foundation (document E/C.2/2009/R.2) a United States-based international organization aimed at improving lung health worldwide by strengthening community capacity to prevent and manage lung diseases;

-- Muslim Aid Australia (MAA) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.15) a national organization based in Sydney, Australia, primarily mandated to undertake overseas aid work, which includes the welfare of orphans, widows and refugees; development assistance to communities in cycles of poverty; and emergency assistance to those struck by civil and natural calamities; 

-- Regards de Femmes (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.18) a national organization based in Lyon, France, which works to combat stereotypes that keep girls and boys confined within expected patterns of behaviour, to promote political and professional parity and to fight violence against women, in a spirit of solidarity among the women of France, Europe and the world; 

-- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.16) a national organization seeking to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and of women in the legal profession to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of State-wide, national and international significance to women generally and to women attorneys in particular;

-- Academy for Educational Development (AED) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.12) a United States-based international organization working globally to improve health, civil society, economic development and education -– the foundation of thriving societies; 

-- Afro Centre for Development Peace and Justice (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.6) a Nigerian-based national organization aimed at, among other contributions, promoting peaceful co-existence and entrenchment of democratic values in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, and promote human rights and educate and empower the public on their basic rights; 

-- All India Christian Council (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.7) a national organization based in India, self-described as a coalition leading the fight for religious freedom for all and the emancipation of Dalit-Bahujans, seeking to protect and serve the interests of the Christian community, minorities and the oppressed castes; 

-- Anandilal Ganesh Podar Society (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.1), based in Mumbai, India, is an international organization seeking to build a functional setup aimed at understanding the overall needs of the entire Education Complex, with strategies planned with a view to making this complex humane and inculcating among children the feeling of caring, sharing and loving; 

-- Asia Center for Human Rights (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.10), headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, is a national organization aimed at cultivating human resources who will engage in establishing a human rights protection mechanism and contribute to improving the human rights situation in the Asian region; 

-- Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) (document E/C.2/2009/Add.13), an international organization based in Quezon City, Philippines, seeks to be a very strong and influential voice of small-scale farmers in Asia and a strong lobby and advocacy group for farmers’ rights and development, genuine agrarian reform and mainstreaming of sustainable agriculture in regional and national policies and programmes; 

-- Association Ecole de la Cause Freudienne (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.10) a national organization based in Paris, whose purpose is psychoanalysis, the transmission of psychoanalysis and the training of its practitioners. 

Following an intense exchange, consideration of this application was also postponed, owing to a resolution of the issue of a lack of response from the Member State concerned about the national NGO. 

-- Association des Badinga du Congo (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.2) a national organization based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo aimed at reducing poverty by helping the rural population to create wealth on the basis of land and other locally available resources, in order to better meet the basic needs of the community;

-- Association for Women’s Career Development in Hungary (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.15) a national organization designed to further the equality of women in the field of career development and to provide support to women in order to reach senior leadership positions by communicating and promoting the realization of the objectives set out in Article 55 of the United Nations Charter and the Treaty Establishing the European Community; 

-- Centre Internacional Escarre per a les Minories Ethiques i les Nacions (CIEMEN) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.3), headquarters in Catalonia, Spain, is a national organization aimed at enhancing and disseminating knowledge and information on the situation of oppressed peoples; and the

-- Centre National D’Information sur les Droits des Femmes et des Familles (CNIDFF) (document E/C.2/2009/R.2/Add.14), headquartered in Paris, is a national organization aimed at advancing the position of women in society, promoting their autonomy and, among other things, contributing to the development of equality between women and men. 

Members of the Committee are Angola, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Guinea, India, Israel, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Sudan, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 21 January, to continue its work.

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For information media • not an official record