Difference between revisions of "UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and NGOs"
From NGO Handbook
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The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six organs of the United Nations and is composed of representatives from 54 Member States. Its primary areas of concern are sustainable development, social development, status of women, populations and development, and human rights. Several programs, funds, and other bodies fall under the domain of ECOSOC, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). | The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six organs of the United Nations and is composed of representatives from 54 Member States. Its primary areas of concern are sustainable development, social development, status of women, populations and development, and human rights. Several programs, funds, and other bodies fall under the domain of ECOSOC, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). | ||
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| + | ECOSOC remains the major gateway for NGOs to enter into a relationship with the United Nations (Cardoso Report 2005).<ref>Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations-Civil Society Relations. 2004. We the People, Civil Society, the United Nations and Global Governance (Cardoso Report). United Nations A/58/817. (June 11, 2004). p. 124. http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N04/376/41/PDF/N0437641.pdf?OpenElement Retrieved January 27, 2010.</ref><membersonly> | ||
| − | Legal Basis for Partnership | + | ==Legal Basis for Partnership== |
As stated in Article 71 of the United Nation Charter: “The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned.” | As stated in Article 71 of the United Nation Charter: “The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned.” | ||
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The relationship between NGOs and ECOSOC has been formalized in ECOSOC resolution 1296 (XLIV) of May 23, 1968, and more recently ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, adopted on July 25, 1996, which revised the arrangements for NGO consultation with this body and is the current basis for the partnership. NGOs that are active in the field of economic and social development, and whose activities are considered relevant to the work of ECOSOC, can apply for consultative status. | The relationship between NGOs and ECOSOC has been formalized in ECOSOC resolution 1296 (XLIV) of May 23, 1968, and more recently ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, adopted on July 25, 1996, which revised the arrangements for NGO consultation with this body and is the current basis for the partnership. NGOs that are active in the field of economic and social development, and whose activities are considered relevant to the work of ECOSOC, can apply for consultative status. | ||
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Resolution 1996/31 also allowed national NGOs to apply for consultative status, expanding the previous resolution that only admitted international NGOs to the UN process. However, in the case of national NGOs, consultation with the particular Member State precedes any decision on granting consultative status. The NGO has the right to have the views expressed by the Member State communicated to the NGO and the opportunity to respond to those views. | Resolution 1996/31 also allowed national NGOs to apply for consultative status, expanding the previous resolution that only admitted international NGOs to the UN process. However, in the case of national NGOs, consultation with the particular Member State precedes any decision on granting consultative status. The NGO has the right to have the views expressed by the Member State communicated to the NGO and the opportunity to respond to those views. | ||
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The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO Committee, not to be confused with CONGO, the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations) is responsible to deal with the relationship between NGOs and ECOSOC. The NGO Committee consists of 19 Member States elected to a four-year term by ECOSOC. A Bureau of the NGO Committee is comprised of the chairperson and four vice-chairpersons of the Committee. | The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO Committee, not to be confused with CONGO, the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations) is responsible to deal with the relationship between NGOs and ECOSOC. The NGO Committee consists of 19 Member States elected to a four-year term by ECOSOC. A Bureau of the NGO Committee is comprised of the chairperson and four vice-chairpersons of the Committee. | ||
| − | Three Categories for NGOs Officially Recognized by ECOSOC | + | ==Three Categories for NGOs Officially Recognized by ECOSOC== |
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There are three categories, General, Special, and Roster, of consultative status with ECOSOC. | There are three categories, General, Special, and Roster, of consultative status with ECOSOC. | ||
| − | + | #General Consultative Status (formally “Category I”) is accorded to NGOs that are “concerned with most of the activities of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies and are closely involved with the economic and social life of the peoples and areas they represent.” These are generally large, international organizations that represent significant segments of societies in several countries. | |
| − | + | #Special Consultative Status (formally “Category II”) is granted to NGOs that have special competence in one or a few of the fields of activity covered by ECOSOC. | |
| − | + | #Roster Status is granted to other organizations that can make occasional, useful contributions to the work of the Council or its subsidiary bodies, or other United Nations bodies within their competence. | |
As of September 1, 2009, there were 3,289 NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations, of which 141 were in general consultative status, 2168 in special consultative status, and 980 as roster organizations. | As of September 1, 2009, there were 3,289 NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations, of which 141 were in general consultative status, 2168 in special consultative status, and 980 as roster organizations. | ||
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Each of these levels has different privileges and requirements. All may designate UN representatives to attend meetings, consult with officers from the Secretariat, and are invited to UN conferences. But only those General and Special Category NGOs can speak at ECOSOC subsidiary bodies’ meetings and circulate statements at ECOSCO meetings and subsidiary bodies meetings. Only General Category NGOs can propose items for ECOSOC’s agenda and speak at ECOSOC itself. Those in General and Special Status must submit quadrennial reports, which are brief (limited to four pages) reports on their activities. | Each of these levels has different privileges and requirements. All may designate UN representatives to attend meetings, consult with officers from the Secretariat, and are invited to UN conferences. But only those General and Special Category NGOs can speak at ECOSOC subsidiary bodies’ meetings and circulate statements at ECOSCO meetings and subsidiary bodies meetings. Only General Category NGOs can propose items for ECOSOC’s agenda and speak at ECOSOC itself. Those in General and Special Status must submit quadrennial reports, which are brief (limited to four pages) reports on their activities. | ||
| − | Requirements for Recognition | + | ==Requirements for Recognition== |
Among the stated requirements for consultative status with ECOSOC is that the NGO has a democratic and transparent decision-making mechanism and the authority to speak for its members through its authorized representatives. The NGO also must be in existence for at least two years before applying, and the basic resources of the organization are to be derived mainly from contributions of its membership, affiliates, or other components. ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 delineates these requirements in some detail. | Among the stated requirements for consultative status with ECOSOC is that the NGO has a democratic and transparent decision-making mechanism and the authority to speak for its members through its authorized representatives. The NGO also must be in existence for at least two years before applying, and the basic resources of the organization are to be derived mainly from contributions of its membership, affiliates, or other components. ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 delineates these requirements in some detail. | ||
The application for consultative status is examined by the Committee on NGOs, which is composed of representatives from 19 Members States. The Committee recommends to ECOSOC which organizations are to be granted one of the three categories of status, with the full ECOSOC making the final decision. | The application for consultative status is examined by the Committee on NGOs, which is composed of representatives from 19 Members States. The Committee recommends to ECOSOC which organizations are to be granted one of the three categories of status, with the full ECOSOC making the final decision. | ||
Very few applying NGOs whose applications have reached the level of being considered are rejected from consultative status. Some NGOs have had their status suspended or withdrawn. | Very few applying NGOs whose applications have reached the level of being considered are rejected from consultative status. Some NGOs have had their status suspended or withdrawn. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | This article was summarized and updated from the following article: Swarts, F. 2002. NGO-UN partnerships. ''Beyond Boundaries'' 1(2): 7-8. | ||
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| + | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 16:31, 18 February 2010
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six organs of the United Nations and is composed of representatives from 54 Member States. Its primary areas of concern are sustainable development, social development, status of women, populations and development, and human rights. Several programs, funds, and other bodies fall under the domain of ECOSOC, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
ECOSOC remains the major gateway for NGOs to enter into a relationship with the United Nations (Cardoso Report 2005).[1]
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