50th DPI/NGO Annual Conference

Building Partnerships
10-12 September 1997
New York

Theme of the Conference
This year we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of partnership between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) associated with the UN Department of Public Information. In recent years, with the end of the Cold War and with public attention drawn to major UN conferences focusing on global issues, groups in civil societies around the world have been mobilized to join in the efforts of governments. Our conference will focus on ways in which inter-governmental organizations, national governments, NGOs, academic institutions and the business community can work together to promote peace and security, economic and social well-being, human rights and the rule of law. We will review milestones in UN/NGO relations and will explore 'best practices' of volunteerism and socially-responsible projects. The participants will share ideas on how to make a difference in their own communities through their work or through networking with other organizations and looking for innovative partnerships. We will examine how new technology and other effective means of communication can facilitate the process of working together. And we will close the conference with speakers who can inspire us all with their vision.

General Information
Last year, over 1,500 NGO representatives from 60 countries attended the three-day conference. We expect even greater attendance this year. The opening session will be held in the UN General Assembly Hall. The President of the UN General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations will make statements at the opening session.

NGOs and the UN
In addition to this being the 50th anniversary of United Nations and NGO collaboration, the importance of the role of NGOs in international relations has become indisputable, their impact on the work of the United Nations recognized by Member States as reflected in recent actions and decisions.

During its plenary session in July 1996, the Economic and Social Council adopted Resolution 1996/31 which revised Resolution 1296 of 1968 that regulates NGO work with the Council, broadening access and clearing the way for national organizations to seek consultative status. Simultaneously, in its Decision 1996/257, the Council reaffirmed the importance of the contributions of NGOs and recommended that the General Assembly examine the question of participation of non-governmental organizations in all areas of the work of the United Nations in the light of the experience gained through the arrangements for consultation between non-governmental organizations and the Economic and Social Council.

Also in 1996, in an unprecedented gesture, the Security Council invited representatives of three non-governmental organizations to brief its members on humanitarian needs in the Great Lakes Region in Africa.

Twelve representatives of non-governmental organizations were invited by the Commission on Sustainable Development to present their views in the general debate held during the Special Session of the General Assembly on Earth Summit +5. The intergovernmental document produced at the end of the Special Session in June 1997 refers to NGOs and other major groups in civil society as partners in the global efforts to implement Agenda 21.

NGOs have also been invited to participate in the work of the Preparatory Committee working on the establishment of the International Criminal Court.

There are many ways, officially, non-officially but practically, that NGOs have provided expertise, skills, resources to UN efforts in combatting famine, disease, in dealing with natural and man-made disasters. They are now working with the United Nations Centre for Human Rights, organizing the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the most basic tenet of freedom and justice that NGOs helped build into constitutions of most Member States. Concerns about health environment, social equity, peace, freedom - are all ideals that the United Nations and NGOs promote together.

Accreditation
Form 2006

22-23 Feb. 2006 Annual DPI/NGO Orientation
Programme