Continuing Its 2024 Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Recommends 44 Entities for Consultative Status, Defers Action on 83 Others
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations continued its 2024 session today, recommending 44 entities for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council while deferring action on 83 others.
The 19-member Committee considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Once an application has been reviewed and approved by the Committee it is considered recommended for consultative status. Organizations which were granted general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items. Organizations with roster status can only attend meetings.
Action on several applications was postponed because Committee members requested further information from the applicants about issues and items including details of their organizations’ activities, partners, expenditures, independence and sources of funding.
The Committee also held an interactive dialogue with representatives of five deferred NGOs.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations will meet again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 24 January, to continue its session.
Special Consultative Status
The Committee recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant special consultative status to the following 44 organizations:
Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (United States);
God Bless the Child e.V. (Germany);
Humanitarian Focus Foundation (United States);
Impact — Civil Society Research and Development e.V. (Germany);
Inclusion Matters by Shanes Inspiration (United States);
International Human Rights Consortium (United States);
International Young Leaders Organization — Internationale Organisation für junge Führungspersönlichkeiten (Austria);
Intersecta Organización para la Igualdad (Mexico);
Just Atonement Inc. (United States);
Luis De La Calle Foundation, Inc. (United States);
Mtree Inc. (United States);
Nadační fond pro výzkum psychedelik (Czech Republic);
National Association of Friendship Centres (Canada);
Nonprofit Incorporated Association Africa Insight (Republic of Korea);
Nurturing Minds Inc. (United States);
One World U Foundation (U: Unique United You) (Germany);
Open Lunar Foundation (United States);
Oromia Relief Association Australia — South Pacific Region Inc. (Australia);
Pacific Links Foundation (United States);
REEF Scuba (United States);
SDG Youth (Republic of Korea);
Sesame Workshop (United States);
Siblings Keeper Corp (United States);
Smiling Angels International Inc. (United States);
Stiftung Schüler Helfen Leben (Germany);
The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (Canada);
The University of Edinburgh (United Kingdom);
USAfrica Trade and Business Network, Inc (United States);
UniRef (Switzerland);
United for Global Mental Health (United Kingdom);
Verein von Nichtregierungsorganisationen für Verbrechensprävention und Strafrechtspflege (Austria);
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (United States);
Word Green Design Organization (Belgium);
World Shirdi Sai Baba Organisation (UK) (United Kingdom);
Young Ambassadors Society (Italy);
Österreichischer Frauenring (Austria);
Český výbor pro UNICEF (Czech Republic);
Association Humaniste de France (Comoros);
East-lake Institute for Social Advancement, Wuchang District, Wuhan (China);
Equipo Argentino de Antropología Forense — Asociación Civil (Argentina);
Foro Internacional de Mujeres Indígenas (Peru);
Fourth Wave Foundation (India);
Gulf International Center for Legal Business Solutions (Bahrain); and
Iltizam Relief Society (Malaysia).
The Committee postponed action on the application of the following 83 organizations:
Forum de Paris sur la Paix (France) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked how the organization guarantees the non-governmental and independent nature of its work;
Global Compact Network UK (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China requested details on its global networks and cooperation programmes;
Great Barrier Reef Foundation (Australia) — as the representative of China asked for detailed information on participation in UN conferences since 2019;
Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (Switzerland) — as the representative of Pakistan requested details on its feedback process for evaluating its activities in the humanitarian field;
Hope for Justice (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China asked for details on a specific programme;
Insamlingsstiftelsen Vi Planterar Träd (Sweden) — as the representative of Türkiye requested further information on its international activities and whether it has offices in third countries or works with local partners;
International Diabetes Federation (Belgium) — as the representative of Algeria noted its consultative status was revoked in 2019, and asked about measures taken to avoid this happening again;
Japan Water Forum (Japan) — as the representative China asked for detailed information on participation in UN conferences from 2021 to 2023;
Kaos Gey ve Lezbiyen Kültürel Arastirmalar ve Dayanisma Dernegi (Türkiye) — as the representative of Türkiye called for further information on work under its capacity-building programme, and for examples of projects carried out in 2023;
Korea Future Initiative CIO (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Cuba, noting the organization has offices in Seoul, London and The Hague, asked how it finances them on its budget, and about its financing in general; while the representative of the United States noted that the question had already been answered in the application. Next, the representative of Cuba affirmed that Committee members have the right to ask for more details; which was echoed by the representative of China, who called for “no interference” in Committee member questions. The representative of the United States affirmed her right to ask for clarification on questions;
Lehigh University (United States) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for elaboration on its collaborative partnerships within the global academic community;
London School of Economics and Political Science, The (LSE) (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China asked for further information on its 2030 strategy;
Na Laga’at (R.A.) (Israel) — as the representative of Algeria requested a list of foreign philanthropic organizations providing 14 per cent of the organization’s funding, and for information on the nature of its relationships with them;
National Association of Women Judges (United States) — as the representative of Cuba, noting expenditures greater than its income, asked for the causes of the deficit;
NetHope, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of Israel requested information on the training it provides;
Organization for the Professional Empowerment of Women Civil Nonprofit Company (Greece) — as the representative of Türkiye requested information on which international NGOs it partners with, and the projects involved;
Oromo Legacy, Leadership and Advocacy Association (United States) — as the representative of China requested information on its sources of income, and expenses on different projects;
PRO MUJER INC (United States) — as the representative of China asked the organization to refer to Taiwan as a province of China and Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China;
Partners In Health (United States) — as the representative of China requested information on its participation in UN conferences and activities from 2020 to 2023;
Partnership With Native Americans (United States) — as the representative of China asked the organization how it can sustain itself given its “huge debts”;
Pikes Peak Justice and Pro Bono Center, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China asked for information on the organization’s COVID-19 relief fund;
Pro Vita e Famiglia Onlus (Italy) — as the representative of the United States requested details on its human rights advocacy;
Protection Approaches (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China asked how the NGO can sustain its independence and objectivity given it has received Government funding;
Rainbow Railroad (Canada) — as the representative of China asked for further information on philanthropic contributions, which represent 39 per cent of its funding;
Rare Diseases International (Belgium) — as the representative of China requested that the organization refer to Hong Kong as the SAR of China;
Right to Education Initiative (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China asked the organization for details on its participation in the World Higher Education Conference in 2022;
Rizing Starz International Inc (United States) — as the representative of China asked the organization for details on using the power of technology in education;
Russian-Speaking Community Council, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China requested clarification on how the NGO will contribute to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
Stichting Stop Ecocide Foundation (Netherlands) — as the representative of Zimbabwe called for the organization’s financial statements for the last three years;
Studentenes og Akademikernes Internasjonale Hjelpefond (Norway) — as the representative of Israel asked about its work on students’ human rights, and if it will be conducted with other NGOs or research funds;
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies R.A. (Israel) — as the representative of Türkiye requested details on steps taken over the past two years to establish partnerships with various academic institutions in the region;
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (Canada) — as the representative of Cuba asked for further information on salary expenditures;
The Explorers Club (United States) — as the representative of China asked the NGO to use UN terminology in referring to Tibet as the autonomous region of China;
Themistocles and Dimitris Tsatsos Foundation — Centre for European Constitutional Law (Greece) — as the representative of Türkiye requested further information on its capacity-building and training activities, including in 2023;
Transparency International - R (Russian Federation) — as the representative of Cuba asked for further information on 100 per cent of its funding coming from donations including foreign sources; after which the representative of the United States cited a note verbale on the issue, noting that NGOs do not have to be registered in any particular country, and that they do and should receive funding from non-governmental sources; while the representative of Cuba affirmed that he was exercising membership in a responsible manner;
UNITEE (Belgium) — as the representative of Türkiye asked how associated members can participate in its policy and decision-making;
US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (United States) — as the representative of Cuba requested clarification on an inconsistency concerning its international nature;
VšĮ Tarptautinis pilietinių iniciatyvų centras “Mūsų namai” (Lithuania) — as the representative of the United States asked about the NGO’s activities in 2024, as it does not seem to have any planned;
Ashrafolanbia Charity Institute (Iran) — as the representative of the United Kingdom asked how the organization plans to contribute to the work of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies;
Association Yesil Ay of the Republic of North Macedonia Skopje (North Macedonia) — as the representative of Armenia asked about studies it has conducted and their impact on policymaking;
CyberPeace Institute (Switzerland) — as the representative of China requested its plan of work for 2024 and how it intends to contribute to the Economic and Social Council in the future;
Global Healthy Living Foundation, Inc (United States) — as the representative of China, noting the organization has 60,000 members, asked if it has preferences or requirements in taking them on;
Hope to the Future Association (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of China requested further details on its administrative expenditures;
The Center for Victims of Torture (United States) — as the representative of China, noting the NGO received 59 per cent of its funding from the United States Government, asked how it maintains its independence;
Türkiye Eğitim Gönüllüleri Vakfı (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia invited the NGO to provide information on upcoming projects in 2024;
Umut Ol Uluslararsi İnsani Yardim Derneği (Türkiye) — as the representative of the United States requested additional information on its funding sources and activities for 2024;
WomenStrong International (United States) — as the representative of China requested further details on the evolution of its model from its predecessor;
“The Awakening” A Society for Social & Cultural Development (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan asked the NGO to share details of sensitization sessions it conducted and their outcomes;
ARTM — Associação de Reabilitação de Toxicodependentes de Macau (China) — as the representative of Nicaragua requested further details on its experience in South-East Asia and how that will help the Economic and Social Council;
Al-Quds University (State of Palestine) — as the representative of Israel asked the organization to clarify gaps in its income statement;
All India Council of Human Rights Liberties & Social Justice (India) — as the representative of Pakistan called on the organization to share its audited financial statements for 2023;
Analog Ventures LLP (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested that the NGO explain how it will achieve its activities, given it has previously responded it could not due to a lack of ease in conducting business in India;
Arab Organization for Arabization and Communication (Morocco) — as the representative of China asked which of its branches remain operational, and their sources of funding;
Asociación Civil Grupo SURES (Venezuela) — as the representative of the United States noted the organization has not responded to previous questions adequately, and further asked, if granted accreditation, what UN bodies it would expect to participate in, a list of meetings of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) it has participated in, and its contributions;
Asociaţia Obştească Centrul de dezvoltare şi susţinere a iniţiativelor cetăţenilor “Resonance” (Republic of Moldova) — as the representative of Israel requested a list of international conferences it has attended in the last three years;
Association Tous pour l’integration des migrants au Maroc (Morocco) — as the representative of India asked for details on regional sub-Saharan organizations it collaborates with, and the projects involved;
Association de la femme saharienne pour le développement intégré (Morocco) — as the representative of Algeria invited the NGO to present a list and/or the nature of its activities that generate 20 per cent of revenue;
Association de l’Alliance Nationale des Chourafa Naciryiene et leurs cousins, chargés des affaires de la Zaouia Naciria (Morocco) — as the representative of India requested details on its private sector donations and what the funds were used on;
Association des marocains victimes d’expulsion arbitraire de l’Algérie (Morocco) — as the representative of Algeria asked the NGO to explain a discrepancy or increase in its government funding;
Association for Disabled People (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested a detailed report on its activities with a certain organization;
Association of Women for Awareness & Motivation (AWAM) (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked the NGO to inform the Committee when its non-functioning website is restored;
Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (China) — as the representative of the United States asked for a follow-up to a previously unanswered question for a breakdown on funding by project, in writing;
Belarusian Fund of Peace (Belarus) — as the representative of the United States requested details on what global development issues the group would advise on, as well as information on its work with veterans and others, the number of beneficiaries and long-term outcomes;
Bonyad Jahadi Mehr Alreza Utility (Iran) — as the representative of the United Kingdom asked for further information on environmental sector projects;
Center for Research and Policy Making (North Macedonia) — as the representative of Armenia asked the organization for more information on which international and philanthropic organizations have funded it, and which contracts have been signed;
Centre for Participatory Democracy (India) — as the representative of India asked the organization to inform the Committee when its website is updated, and on activities conducted in a virtual mode over the last three years;
Centre for Research and Development (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked the NGO to share the updated status of a project planned to help farmers;
China Council for the Promotion of National Trade (China) — as the representative of Pakistan asked it to clarify how it maintains independence when over 70 per cent of its funding comes from government subsidies;
China Oceanic Development Foundation (China) — as the representative of the United Kingdom requested that it clarify how it maintains independence when its main funding source is the Ministry of National Resources of China;
Community Care and Social Development Foundation (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for observations and conclusions resulting from its 2022 vulnerability assessment;
Council for Sustainable Peace and Development (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested audited financial statements for 2022 and 2023;
Diplomatic Mission Peace And Prosperity (Albania) — as the representative of Armenia asked how its activities in 2023 contributed to the achievement of national Sustainable Development Goals;
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation (India) — as the representative of China requested the organization’s plan for working with the UN in 2022 and 2023;
Edufun Foundation Trust (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for information on capacity-building projects for economically weaker and marginalized societal sectors;
Fundación Venezolana por el Derecho a la Vivienda (Venezuela) — as the representative of the United States requested further details on planned activities for 2024;
Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (China) — as the representative of the United States asked, if accredited, which meetings or conferences it would expect to participate in, and what contributions it would make;
Green Camel Bell (China) — as the representative of Cuba asked the NGO for the reasons behind its $400,000 deficit, and how it operates in that context;
Human Environmental Association for Development – HEAD (Lebanon) — as the representative of the United States reiterated a previous question on details on how the NGO will contribute to the Economic and Social Council, along with previous projects in that line;
Human Rights Protection Organization (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan requested details on its rich local donors;
Human Social Care Foundation (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for information on a 2019 peace march against drug abuse and girl-child rape;
Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation (Iran) — as the representative of the United States requested information on any 2022 and 2023 exhibitions, planned events for 2024 to sell projects made by the NGO’s beneficiaries, and the countries they will be held in;
Institute of International Peace Leaders (Private) Limited (Pakistan) — as the representative of Georgia asked for clarification if the removal of information from their social media accounts includes revoking the status of a goodwill ambassador, and to clarify a reference to a UN consolidated list; and
International Anti Terrorism Movement (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked how it contributes to the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies.
Interactive Discussion
During the Committee’s interactive question-and-answer session, a representative of Asociația eLiberare (Romania) stated that her organization is dedicated to making human trafficking “the exception”. Responding to an earlier question about why 60 per cent of its funding in 2021 came from the Governments of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France, she said those were the only funding opportunities available in her country at the time. The Governments that launched funding calls in Romania in 2021 are considered main destination countries for victims from Romania, considered a source country. Condemning that “blame game”, she called for a shared-burden mentality for forward momentum. In 2022, $5 billion was invested in the global fund to end HIV, with an estimated 39 million living with it; while the amount pledged to UN Victims Trust Fund for an estimated 50 million living in some form of human trafficking was $1 million. She asked for reconsideration in granting her organization special consultative status.
The representative of China agreed with her visions and goals and the concept of a shared burden, asking about the organization’s main contributions in a number of areas, and if there is a priority area.
The representative of the NGO cited raising the number of victims identified globally from fewer than 1 per cent by 10 per cent in one year. It has also mainstreamed the topic of human trafficking in humanitarian and development contexts, as in many countries, the burden of helping victims remains on civil society.
The representative of China asked what measures the organization employs to increase victim identification.
The representative of the organization then responded that fighting human trafficking cannot be accomplished without meaningful partnership with States, given law enforcement is their responsibility. It engages in capacity-building through indicators that are victim-informed.
Subsequently, the representative of China asked what is involved in strategic partnerships with Governments.
Next, a representative of Board of Deputies Charitable Foundation (United Kingdom) noted the organization was founded in 1760 and has represented the United Kingdom’s Jewish community since then. Regarding yesterday’s question on the application process of affiliation with his NGO, he stated that any synagogue is eligible, and if granted status, the organization will organize events alongside Economic and Social Council events, and work with other NGOs.
The representative of Türkiye asked for clarification of the representative’s capacity in the organization.
Responding, the representative noted that he is a senior vice-president and a volunteer.
The representative of Türkiye then noted the NGO is referred to as “Board of Deputies of British Jews” on its website, and asked why it is registered as Board of Deputies Charitable Foundation.
The representative said the website title is used for historical reasons and because it flows better, while the other title is used to carry out charitable objectives.
The representative of Türkiye then asked if the NGO has 199 organization members.
Responding, the representative acknowledge that it has 194 members, comprising 140 synagogues and 54 organizational members.
The representative of Türkiye asked for a full and updated list of members.
A representative of the non-governmental organization Hope for Justice (United Kingdom) said the organization has a vision of living in a world free from slavery, affecting 50 million people worldwide. Working in the United Kingdom, United States, Ethiopia and Uganda, it addresses high-risk communities, empowering people, identifying victims and providing restorative services to survivors. In 2023, it reunited over 1,500 child victims with their families. Responding to a question on its private data exchange technology programme, he noted it uses dummy data to explore how it can be used by anti-human trafficking organizations and institutions that intend to collaborate. He stressed that data on victims is incredibly sensitive and includes personal information which, if leaked, has direct consequences for victims, leading organizations to keep it private.
The representative of China, noting work in Uganda, Ethiopia and Cambodia, asked if the NGO has any preference in countries or regions for its activities. He further asked if the private data exchange technology programme uses a simulation prototype, or if it affects reality, as well as how it acquired information for its data pool.
The representative responded that areas of work had to do with opportunity and invitation by the respective Government, due to its work with survivors. Further, all data is dummy data and not real data, and is intended to elicit debate with relevant actors.
The representative of China, noting the Ukraine war and unstable British pound, then asked if the current international situation has a long-term effect in its ongoing financial stability.
A representative of Lehigh University (United States) noted the institution was founded in 1865 and is now one of the country’s foremost universities, ranked fourteenth by the Wall Street Journal. In 2004, it became just the sixth university in the world to attain United Nations Department of Public Information (now Department of Global Communications) NGO status, and more than 21,000 faculty, staff and students have engaged in UN conferences and research, and created the first UN Youth Representative Programme, which is now global. Responding to a question on global partnerships, he recalled that the University has hosted students and faculty from every country on the Committee panel except Eritrea, “and I’ll work to change that”. The school boasts more than 100 Turkish national graduates and is in early stages of discussing educational partnerships with universities in Türkiye.
The representative of Türkiye asked about Turkish students in the engineering faculty, and how it implements the Sustainable Development Goals.
The representative cited a comprehensive programme to align the Goals with its curriculum. Lehigh University relies on nine engineering departments to help develop things like water projects in places including Central America.
The representative of Türkiye requested clarification on how the University was chronologically established and registered.
The NGO representative described the University’s evolution.
The representative of Türkiye further requested information about the first UN Youth Representative Programme, and for a full list of partner NGOs in third countries, which the NGO representative offered to share.
A representative of Pikes Peak Justice and Pro Bono Center, Inc. (United States) noted it has worked in Colorado since 2011, providing free legal educational tools, advice and free and reduced representation in civil cases including divorce and child custody. Responding to a question on $42,100 in COVID-19 funding in 2020 and $20,000 in 2021, which was spent on salaries and wages, she highlighted that it was never part of a long-term funding strategy.
The representative of China then asked how the organization can contribute to the work of the UN.
The NGO representative then responded that her organization’s attorneys offer their services for free to people who cannot afford them, citing a number of related Sustainable Development Goals including those addressing poverty and women and girls facing violence in their family homes and victims of human trafficking.
The representative of China then commended the organization’s efforts in aligning with the Goals, while noting its website classifies Taiwan as a country, calling for it to use UN terminology of “province of China”. He asked for clarification of projects and success stories.
The representative clarified information on free legal advice programmes, noting success stories involving people in dire circumstances finding solutions to their legal problems.