Committee Approves 21 Non-Governmental Organizations for Association with United Nations Department of Public Information
The Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations Association Committee today associated 21 non‑governmental organizations with the United Nations Department of Public Information. One non‑governmental organization was also disassociated at the committee meeting. That brings the number of non‑governmental organizations working with the Department in the area of communications and outreach to 1,485.
Non‑governmental organizations are important partners in disseminating information about United Nations priority issues and the role of the Organization to the world. In a message to the Civil Society Forum held in conjunction with the United Nations Commission for Social Development, on 31 January 2017, the Secretary‑General indicated that “a strong civil society sector is central to advancing social progress”, stressing that the United Nations remains committed to seeking civil society’s “advice, expertise, support and partnership”.
In associating with the Department to inform the world about the work of the Organization, non‑governmental organizations are also playing an important role in reminding Governments of their pledges, including the pledge made by all United Nations Member States to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. “Relevant UN organizations should develop strategic cooperation with their civil society partners," said Secretary‑General António Guterres in his vision statement before his election.
The Director of the Outreach Division at the United Nations Department of Public Information, Maher Nasser, welcomed the new group hailing from Ecuador, Greece, India, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States, indicating that “whether it is promoting peace and security, human rights or the Sustainable Development Goals, NGOs [non‑governmental organizations] are central to the work of the UN around the world”.
The following non‑governmental organizations, working on issues such as education, environmental protection, cultural awareness and youth empowerment, among others, were associated with the Department of Public Information:
- 1M1B Foundation [India]
- Armed with the Arts [United States]
- Concepts of Truth [United States]
- Fundación Invencibles [Ecuador]
- Fundación Novia Salcedo [Spain]
- Global Youth Mentorship Initiative [United States]
- Green Asia Network [Republic of Korea]
- Hellenic League Against Rheumatism [Greece]
- Higher Incubator Giving Growth and Sustainability (HIGGS) [Greece]
- International Justice Project [United States]
- Mercado Global [United States of America]
- NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY [United States]
- Peace Day Philly [United States]
- Population Media Center [United States]
- Proactiva Open Arms [Spain]
- South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SOBRO) [United States]
- Syria Relief [United Kingdom]
- The Esimaje Foundation [Trinidad and Tobago]
- Unspoken Smiles Foundation [United States]
- Utah Valley University [United States]
- International Youth Leadership Institute [United States]
About Department of Public Information/Non‑Governmental Organization Association
The Department of Public Information works with diverse non‑governmental organizations ranging from small groups to subsidiaries of large networks and academic institutions around the world. Organizations are required to meet certain minimum requirements before they are associated with the Department.
In addition to their main activities, associated non‑governmental organizations are expected to use their information platforms and initiatives to disseminate information received from the Department about the work of the United Nations and issues on its agenda to their members and audiences. They also have the opportunity to network with other non‑governmental organizations and to share information about their activities during non‑governmental organization briefings, capacity‑building sessions and the Department of Public Information/Non‑Governmental Organization Conference.
Non‑governmental organizations accepted for association with the Department receive six grounds passes, two of which are designated for youth representatives aged 18 to 32, to facilitate access to United Nations officials, meetings, events and informational sessions at Headquarters in New York. Youth engagement is a growing and important dimension of the Department of Public Information-non-governmental organization relations outreach activities, with over 500 youth representatives actively engaged in the unit’s programmes. In addition to leading briefings on issues related to the work of the Organization, youth have taken on planning and speaking roles at the United Nations Department of Public Information/Non-Government Organization Conference and other events such as the Intergenerational Dialogues on the Sustainable Development Goals that took place in August 2017, and where youth representatives had the opportunity to lead discussions and engage with audiences of all demographical backgrounds about their contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Non-governmental organizations that successfully meet the criteria for association with the Department are also eligible to propose and lead non-governmental organization briefings organized by the Department. A dedicated non-governmental organization Resource Centre with materials and information on the Organization’s work is located in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Building at 801 UN Plaza, 2nd Floor, New York.
For further information, please visit outreach.un.org/ngorelations or e-mail undpingo@un.org.
For information on how to apply for association, please visit outreach.un.org/ngorelations/membership/application.
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