Committee on NGOs

15^th & 16^th Meetings (AM & PM)

NGO Committee Recommends 10 More Organizations for Special Consultative Status

 

with Economic and Social Council

 

Will Meet Again 17 February to Conclude Current Part of 2012 Session

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today granted special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to 10 applicants from a range of fields, including art education, the elderly and penal reform, and removed 20 applicants from its list of consideration, while approving name change requests from another dozen applicants.

The Chair, Maria Tzotzorkova (Bulgaria), commended the collective efforts of the 19-member Committee on its productive session, as members this afternoon wrapped up the bulk of their work for the current part of its 2012 session.

It was a “cooperative spirit that allowed the Committee to achieve those positive results”, she said.  “There were moments when temperatures ranged high, but this showed that there are still questions to debate and these questions will be part of an informal session regarding methods.”

During the current part of its annual session, which began 30 January, the Committee recommended a total of 158 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for consultative status and postponed decisions on another 183 applications.  It also took note of 375 quadrennial reports and deferred 20 quadrennial reports to the next session.  In addition, it closed, after three reminders, a total of 20 applications and took note of the withdrawal of three applications.  It also took note of the name change of 12 NGOs and postponed consideration of 60 applicants to its meeting in May.

Since it was established in 1946, the Committee has granted more than 3,500 civil society groups general, special or roster status with the Council based on criteria including the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime.  Organizations with general and special status can attend the Council’s meetings and circulate statements, while those with general status can also address meetings and propose agenda items.  Roster-status non-governmental organizations can only attend meetings.

At the close of today’s meeting, Rapporteur Yoni Ish-Hurwitz (Israel) presented the draft report of the Committee on its 2012 regular session (document E/C.2/2012/L.1) for consideration in forthcoming informal discussions among members.

Ms. Tzotzorkova said the Committee would adopt a final report and take up any outstanding issues at a meeting later in the month.  Those issues included taking a final decision on the application of the Movement against Atrocities and Repression, a Switzerland-based group that aims to support and cooperate with other human rights organizations.  That group had a 10 February deadline to respond to a letter of concerns about alleged terrorist links.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on 17 February to conclude its work for the current regular session.

Requests for Change of Name

The Committee took note of and approved the 12 requests for changes of the names of organizations:  International Union of Forestry Research Organizations to International Union of Forest Research Organizations; Brothers of Charity to Global Action Against Poverty; National Federation of Women for Democracy to National Confederation of Women in Equality; Danish Association for Gays and Lesbians (Special 2006) to LGBT Denmark — The National Organization for Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgendered People; Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement to End Human Trafficking Now; World Coal Institute to World Coal Association; Human Rights Law Resource Centre (Special 2011) to Human Rights Law Centre; International Federation Terre Des Hommes (Special 1987) to Terre Des Hommes Federation Internationale; New York and New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Advisory Committee to United States Asian American Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc.; UNIFEM Australia Incorporated (Special 2007) to UN Women Australia Incorporated; Comité Español de Representantes de Minusválidos (Special 2011) to Comité Español de Representantes de Personas con Discapacidad; and Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Special 2004) to Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo.

The representative of Pakistan reminded the Committee that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were required to have the same name as that which was registered in their country of origin.  In the case of the requested name changes, he expressed hope that the said NGOs had filed the appropriate paperwork.

The representative of the United States requested clarification on requiring official registrations, noting that certain organizations, such as those in Switzerland, were not required to register in their country.  In that regard, she was concerned about creating new rules and procedures that would not be appropriate to all NGOs.

ANDREI ABRAMOV, Chief of the NGO Branch in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, confirmed that all requests of name changes had been submitted with all necessary documentations and required correspondences, including documents filed in the country of origin.  He informed the Committee that as those documents were CRP files, they could not be downloaded to the NGO paperless site.

Responding, the representative of Pakistan reiterated his concerns that the name should be the same in the country of origin as what had been filed before the Committee.  Further, in response to the comments made by the United States delegate, he said it was not proof of certification or registration by which he was concerned, but whether or not those NGOs had the same name in both their country of origin and in the region in which they worked.

Removed from Consideration

The Committee first took up the issue of organizations that had not responded to questions and three reminders, and removed the following 20 applicants from the list of groups under its consideration:  Kashmiri American Council; Mahabodhi International Meditation Center; International Institute of Security and Safety Management; World Buddhist Supreme Tathagata Followers Peace Foundation; Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action; GGS Institute of Information Communication Technology India; American Bible Society; International Council for Human Rights; A Better Life Foundation; Fundación Mamonal; Society for Research in Child Development; Korean Bar Association; Baidarie; Gender Links; Zambian International Health Alliance; Ehsaas Foundation; General Forum of the Arabic and African Non-Governmental Organizations; Clean Up Australia Ltd.; American Council for World Jewry, Inc.; and Alpesandes.org.

Turning to the consideration of NGOs that had answered the Committee’s questions, the delegate from Pakistan asked for an update on work completed to date.  The Committee Chair,  MARIA TZOTZORKOVA (Bulgaria), said all new and deferred applications had been reviewed.  New applications now must be reviewed for their responses.  Committee members would indicate if they were satisfied with the responses, followed by recommendations on the status of those organizations.

Awaiting Responses from Applicants

The Committee was still awaiting a response from the following groups:

Human Rights Network (HURINET) is a Uganda-based group whose aims include to promote and protect human rights as provided for in the regional and international instruments that Uganda is party to and as provided in the Constitution of Uganda, to encourage close collaboration and networking among human rights organizations in Uganda, and to encourage optimum sharing of information and resources, both human and material, among human rights organizations in Uganda.

The Royal Society of Chemistry, the largest professional body in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences, pursues the aims of the advancement of chemistry as a science, the dissemination of chemical knowledge and the development of chemical applications with the belief that the chemical sciences will be a key component in finding solutions to the challenges of the twenty-first century, from finding cures for diseases to building a sustainable environment.

Special Consultative Status

The Committee granted the following organizations with special consultative status:

Artfully AWARE, Inc. (AfA), a United States-based organization, which, through international arts education and community development, uses the arts as an important tool for social improvement and emotional recovery of persons who have suffered from traumatic events, disabilities or inadequate living conditions.  It also believes in the ability of the arts to inspire, promote positive change and provide hope in communities worldwide.  AfA implements a range of educational arts programs locally, nationally and internationally, in order to promote empowerment, cultural understanding and enable sustainable development.

Comision para la Investigacion de Malos Tratos a las Mujeres, based in Argentina, offers legal help, information and intervention to women who suffer from or have been physically, psychologically, sexually and/or economically assaulted.  It also creates and develops refugee housing for battered women and minors, as well as establishes programmes that educate people worldwide of the crisis among abused women, in both the domestic environment and the environment outside the home.

Kyung Hee University(KHU), a non-profit organization and a private university which is located in Seoul, Republic of Korea, aims to promote world peace, human welfare and international understanding through higher education and related research.

Pakistan’s delegate said the organization had responded, but his country continued to have its own views about how the group should be granted consultative status.  However, he had no further questions.

Regional Public Foundation Assistance for the Elderly “Dobroe Delo”, based in the Russian Federation, monitors compliance with economic, social and cultural rights of the elderly at local, regional and national level and conducts analysis of existing and proposed legislation relating to the rights and interests of the elderly.  In addition, it advocates for the elderly through a variety of activities, including engaging judicial mechanisms, informing State agencies and the public on the rights of the elderly and advocating within the population itself, among others.

Okogun Odigie Safewomb International Foundation is a Nigerian-based, non-religious, non-political, non-profit, educational, cultural and charitable organization which collaborates with national and international agencies for the advancement of women and youth.  It also aims to achieve gender mainstreaming, preserve authentic positive values, promote civic responsibilities, carry out guidance and counselling in order to empower women and youth, as well as to produce and identify role models for the advancement of the general society.

Arab Penal Reform, an Egypt-based organization, promotes the culture of human rights in the Arab region through a variety of activities, including reforming penal codes and prisons governing laws in the Arab region and training civil society activist on using United Nations contractual mechanisms in the Arab region.

Association togolaise pour les Nations Unies, based in Togo, promotes the principles and objectives of the United Nations.

Centre for Human Rights, a South African-based academic institution, focuses on research, teaching and advocacy in the field of human rights law in Africa and the realization of human rights throughout the continent.

After a procedural discussion between the representative of Morocco, who requested a postponement, and the Chair, and in consideration of the request of the observer of South Africa, the Centre was granted special consultative status.

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, based in Thailand, promotes the rights of indigenous people and supports the strengthening of cooperation and solidarity among indigenous peoples across Asia.  As well, it works to protect and revitalize indigenous systems and support indigenous institutions and their control over their ancestral homelands and their own development and future.

China’s delegate stated there was no objection from his delegation.

Association Graines de Paix, based in Switzerland, develops tools and educational activities in order to foster relationships of peace and prevent violence.

The representative of China did not object.  In her capacity of observer, a representative of Switzerland stated that knowing the organization’s work, she requested it be granted status.

Postponed

Action on the following applications was postponed:

Apne Aap Women World Wide (India) Trust, a group based in India, aims to empower trafficked and at-risk women and children to organize against the demand for purchased sex and the injustice in their own lives and assert their right to dignified lives and livelihoods, and to advocate their cause to trigger policy and institutional change.

Asociacion Centro Indigena para el Desarrollo Sostenible – CINDES, a Peru-based group, aims to obtain the well-being of the Amazonian indigenous towns by helping in the protection of the environment and the ecology and the culture practiced by their ancestors.  The intention is to work jointly with the participation of its leaders and leader’s men, women and children to prepare for the challenges of the future through life projects.

International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) is an international Thai organization with a focus on climate change, sustainable and social development, education and peacebuilding — owing to a question posed by the representative of China regarding the international nature of its work.

Pacific Disability Forum, a Fiji-based group, aims to strengthen the capacity of the regions national disabled persons’ organisations, providing practical services, humanitarian support and advocacy services to their members and clients.

Unnayan Onneshan, based in Bangladesh, is a progressive think tank that aims to advance ideas and build constituencies for social transformation through critical scholarship, interdisciplinary dialogue and the involvement of grass-roots perspectives.  It works in collaboration with national partners, international organizations and leading universities.

World Shelter Organisation is based in India and provides shelter to homeless people in the developing and underdeveloped countries in the world and aims to bring the attention of the world at large to this area of social services.

Earth Child Institute, Inc., a United States-based organization, is dedicated to all issues relating to children, the environment and education for sustainable development.  The organization works to engage and empower the world's 2.2 billion people under the age of 18 to develop increasingly sustainable lifestyles through a variety of programmes.  These focus on combating and adapting to climate change and environmental degradation, planting trees, living in harmony with nature and having access to water and sanitation for all.

Institute of Asian Culture & Development, based in the Republic of Korea, offers long-term assistance in the area of education and training, community development and medical services in its endeavours to build peaceful and fair communities.

Le Conseil des Jeunes Congolais de l’Etranger (CJCE), based in Switzerland, aims to protect, promote and advance common interests of Congolese and foreigners in Switzerland.

Population Connection, based in the United States, aims to stabilize world population by advocating for more funding for and education about voluntary family planning in the United States and in the countries that receive United States foreign assistance, works to ensure that every woman around the world who wants to space or limit her childbearing has access to the health services and contraceptive supplies she needs in order to do so.

Abiodun Adebayo Welfare Foundation, based in Nigeria, works to reduce poverty among its elderly members, to economically empower youth and elders through vocational training, provide reimbursement of micro-finance for deserving members and campaign against HIV/AIDS through workshops.

Afrikaanse Forum vir Burgerregte, based in South Africa, has a main objective of the advancement or advocacy of democracy and the protection of human rights, and in particular minority rights in South Africa through the promotion of culture and customs, improving living conditions in South Africa, and promotion of freedom of speech and free press, to name a few.

Al-Maqdese for Society Development, based in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, works for Palestinians to fully enjoy their political, social, economic, cultural and civil rights.  Specifically, it seeks to maintain the Palestinian demographic in Jerusalem, raise awareness about their rights and monitor, document and disseminate information about Israeli rights violations.

Asabe Shehu Yar'Adua Foundation, based in Nigeria, aims to build bridges across the various ethnic and religious groups through supporting research on HIV/AIDS, the sexual harassment and child rights, and efforts to reduce poverty, among others.

Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism (ADVT), based in Iran, is comprised of families who have lost one of their dearest members in acts of terrorism.  A non-governmental association, it is a cultural society which aims to disclose the terrorist and cultic nature of terrorist groups and to give a voice to the terror victims of the world.

Corporacion para la Investigacion, el Desarrollo Sostenible y la Promocion Social (CORPROGRESO), based in Colombia, aims to improve the quality of life and well-being of Colombian vulnerable communities, through programmes that are consistent with national policies and the population needs, and aim at the organization's sustainability.  The population groups targeted are internally displaced persons, children and young people at high risk, community leaders, single mothers, community mothers, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, indigenous population, persons in the process of reintegration into society, rural families and afro-descendants.

Hokok Coalicion Internacional Contra la Impunidad, based in Lebanon, is committed to spreading justice and peace in the global community through its pursuit of universal criminals that have violated the safety and security of citizens.  It aims to do this through defending all prisoners considered unjustly prosecuted and imprisoned, as well as filing charges against different world leaders for criminal acts.

Ilitha Labantu, based in South Africa, works to provide immediate access to support and education services around violence against women and children, and to provide counselling to survivors of violence.  Among its diverse activities, it runs training programmes that empower women to participate in individual and community development and teaches both practical and theoretical skills through training courses, including communication and leadership skills.

Iranian Vegetable Oil Industries Association, based in Iran, aims to expand the private sector activities in the economy of Iran in order to create more jobs and decrease the country's unemployment.

Islamic African Relief Agency (IARA), based in Sudan, is a humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and development organization that works for development, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and human security.  As well, it provides service for the vulnerable, deprived and victims of catastrophes and wars without discrimination as to gender, race, religion or colour.

The United States delegate said she would seek to close the application in the Committee’s May session.

The delegate of Sudan accepted the deferral to study the application.

Kejibaus, a Nigerian-based national organization that works with youths on participating in the development of society through personal growth.

Movement for the Protection of African Child (MOPOTAC), a Nigeria-based group aims to promote, protect and defend the legal rights and liberty of children and young persons under the constitution and international legal instruments and to promote and support the welfare, education, political interest, social and economic rights of children and young persons in Africa.

TrustAfrica is a Senegal-based group that seeks to strengthen African initiatives that address the most difficult challenges confronting the continent, with a focus on three critical areas: securing the conditions for democracy, fostering African enterprise and achieving broadly shared prosperity, and cultivating African resources for democracy and development.

Child Rights Information Network - CRIN is a United Kingdom-based group whose aim is to launch advocacy campaigns, lead international children’s rights coalitions and make existing human rights enforcement mechanisms accessible for all.  More than 2,100 organisations in 160 countries rely on CRIN's publications, research and information.

Coalition Mondiale Contre la Peine de Mort, a France-based international group, works in 39 countries with efforts to raise awareness about abolishing the death penalty.

Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique is a United States-based group that aims to help Christian monastic communities be prepared for and become involved in interreligious dialogue, and to coordinate and communicate their interreligious activities.

Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) is a group based in Norway whose aims include enabling the institutions that are working in the field of development and human rights to establish international partnerships with various sectors.

Hands of Love Group System Inc., a New York-based watchdog organization, aims to be an assist vehicle by providing various in-print input to other NGOs, world Governments as well as other relevant parties, in regards to the issues of the poor, sustainability, conflict resolution, culture conflict and better understanding of important world issues.

ICT for Peace Foundation is a Swiss-based group that aims to enhance the performance of the international community in crisis management through the application of information and communications technology — technologies that can facilitate effective and sustained communication between peoples, communities and stakeholders involved in crisis management, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding.

International Coalition against War Criminals (ICAWC) is a group based in Norway that aims to support international justice, follow-up on war criminals and bring them to court, monitor cases of war crimes and violations of international law, support the International Criminal Court documentation of war crimes and work on the development of international law on war crimes.

Living Bread International Church Inc., an Israel-based group, provides a vehicle for the operation of a church and for the initiation and administration of a wide range of charitable, educational, religious, scientific and literary projects.  It specifically aims to provide the poor with humanitarian aid and education as a means for economic and social development throughout the nations beginning within Israel and the West Bank.  Distribution of food, clothing and educational materials allows staff members and volunteers to build relationships with the people in the camps and to effect a change in the social development of the people through the setting up of libraries and running of workshops for youth.

Organisation Technique europeenne du Pneumatique et de la Jante ADF is a Belgium-based group whose aims include to set up a competent body to be responsible for dealing with technical aspects of tyres, solid tyres, rims and valves in Europe, consisting of representatives of the relevant manufacturers; and to establish common engineering dimensions, load/pressure characteristics together with their tolerances, and operational guidelines in order to further the alignment of national standards and ultimately to achieve the interchangeability of tyres, solid tyres, rims and valves in Europe as far as fitting and use are concerned.

Peace Operation Training Institute Inc. is a United States-based group whose goals include providing globally accessible and affordable distance-learning courses on peace support, humanitarian relief, and security operations to men and women working to promote peace worldwide.

Scalabrini International Migration Network, Inc., a Belgium-based international network with more than 270 organizations involved in various services, helps people on the move around the world.  The increasingly complex challenges of the phenomenon of migration and the resulting specific and specialized services required of SIMN entails a continuously urgent scrutiny to respond to the challenges of international migration.

Stichting Spanda is a Netherlands-based transnational non-profit learning organization for development and cooperation in the areas of culture, education, health and environment, microfinance and research for the sustainable advancement of peace, knowledge and understanding.  Spanda has a cross-cultural goal, aiming to a better understanding among people through a deeper knowledge of their mutual cultures, ideas, traditions, faiths and beliefs in a dialogue intended to stimulate cultural diversity.

The Peacemaker Corps Foundation is a United States-based group that aims to facilitate and support peace and tolerance education among the youth of the world, and empowers generations to come together and make our world a peaceful, compassionate, safe and tolerant place in which to live.

Virtual Activism Incorporated, United States-based, aims to strengthen NGOs’ effectiveness and outreach through Internet access and presence, targeting the most marginalized NGOs in the global community, with particular attention to women’s organizations and training NGOs to be self-sufficient and independent in their use of the Web.

Women Deliver, Inc. is a New York-based group that works globally to generate political commitment and financial investment in fulfilling Millennium Development Goal 5 — to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health.

The Young Men’s Hebrew Association of the City of New York is a New York-based group founded more than a century ago to serve the Jewish people and promote individual and family development and participation in civic life within the context of Jewish values and American pluralism.

Association for Social and Environmental Development, based in India, works towards achieving biodiversity enhancement through public awareness, action research and people’s participation.  It also assists in building sound civil society organizations through capacity enhancement, documentation and action research. 

Business and Professional Women Voluntary Organization, based in Sudan, aims to empower women to have a voice in policies that affect them and their families.  It also assists women in gaining employment and establishing economic control through training and professional assistance, among other activities.

International Services Association, an India-based organization, offers sustainable health and development for vulnerable communities through equipped personnel and organizations.

Kuchlak Welfare Society, based in Pakistan, undertakes various projects and activities for the development of the poor communities living in the remote areas of Baluchistan.  Through providing quality educational environment and bringing change in their thinking and attitudes, it strives to improve living conditions and quality of life to those residents.

New Era Educational and Charitable Support Initiative, based in Nigeria, supplies Nigerian local communities with an array of educational programmes that encourage individual creative self-expression, exploration and experimentation.

Rural Development Organization, based in Pakistan, promotes a culture of tolerance and democratic norms through organizing and building the capacities of the marginalized segments of society.  Its consultants, trainers and advisers work with governmental and non-governmental organizations on the subject related to sustainable development.

Skyian Welfare Organization, based in Pakistan, supports the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through its programme activities, works to save the fragile environment of Pakistan and supports the strengthening of the capacity of local people and companies through professional training.

Architects for Peace Inc., based in Australian, is an independent multidisciplinary forum of planners, architects, urban designers, landscape architects, engineers, environmentalists and artists working in the public domain, seeking sustainable urban development based on social justice, solidarity, respect and peace.

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, a Canada-based organization, works to preserve, defend, maintain and extend civil liberties and human rights in British Columbia and across Canada.

Rainforest Partnership, based in the United States, aims to create partnerships with local communities, businesses, Government and non-profit agencies to create sustainable economic development alternatives to deforestation of the rainforests.

Sudanese Mothers For Peace, based in London, works to advance education, relieve poverty and empower women, and their families, by the provision of seminars, advice, assistance, representation, counselling, translating and interpreting services in matters such as immigration, money debts, welfare benefits, health, housing, social security, education, training and employment.

The delegate of Sudan requested a postponement as he wanted additional information on the financial status of the organization and its funding sources.

Swisscontact, Schweizerische Stiftung fur technische Entwicklungs-zusammenarbeit is the Swiss private sector’s independent foundation for development cooperation in developing countries.  Its goal is to contribute to the reduction of poverty in selected countries of these regions by promoting sustainable private economic development and growth through advisory services, training and continuing education.

Isfahan Association for Protection of Human Rights, based in Iran, focuses on the protection and promotion of human rights by broadening awareness and public culture about human rights and through research in the field of human rights.

Krityanand UNESCO Club Jamshedpur, based in India, promotes within India the aims and purpose of the United Nations and its programmes and activities.  Through education, science, culture, mass communication and other programmes, it supports international understanding, peace and tolerance, as well as human resource management, health systems and research.

New World Hope Organization, a non-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-governmental organization based in Pakistan, cares for individuals, families and communities through humanitarian relief and environmental preservation programmes.

Palpung Munishasan Dharmachakra Sangh, an international educational non-profit and non-governmental organization based in India, is dedicated to the welfare of others without consideration of sect, caste, religion, race, gender or nationality.  It aims to promote, encourage and support activities that contribute to peace and cooperation worldwide by use of humanitarian and non-violence methods and principles.

West Africa Centre for Peace Foundation, based in Ghana, serves young people in schools and communities through education of human rights, leadership trainings and peacebuilding for social development.

Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights is a Philippines-based group that aims for a world where women can enjoy their reproductive and sexual rights, free from social, political, cultural and economic oppression, in keeping with their personally held values, in dignity and in good health.  Its purpose is to inform, link, engage and strengthen organizations and individuals worldwide in order to effectively promote and improve the reproductive and sexual health and rights for all women and girls.

Asia Catalyst is a New York-based group that aims to support and promote the development of local NGOs that advance human rights, social justice and environmental protection in Asia.

Assyrian National Congress is a United States-based group that aims to protect the human rights of the ancient Assyrian people.

Australian Lesbian Medical Association is an Australian-based association for lesbian doctors, lesbian medical students and their partners, founded in 1999 and incorporated in 2001.

Autonomous Women’s Centre is a Belgrade-based group whose aims include empowering women in overcoming trauma caused by domestic violence, partnership violence and/or sexual violence (male violence against women), through psychological and professional legal support, so they can make autonomous decisions and enjoy their right to life without violence, and sensitizing and educating professionals in institutions on violence against women, women’s human rights and institutional procedures for protection from domestic violence.

Asylum Access, a group based in California, works to empower refugees in Africa, Asia and Latin America to assert their human rights — creating effective, lasting solutions for refugees around the world.

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For information media • not an official record