Dear NGO Colleagues:

We are pleased to invite you to attend the 56th Annual Conference for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), which will be held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from Monday to Wednesday, 8-10 September 2003. The Conference is being organized by the NGO Section of DPI together with the Executive Committee of NGOs associated with DPI.

This year's Conference, "Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling the Promise of the United Nations", will shift our attention back to the real sources of human security drawing on the policies and programmes that emphasize economic and social development, human rights and a healthy environment over military action to assure that all people live with dignity and security. The theme also ties into the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; and ensuring environmental sustainability.

The Conference will open on 8 September in the General Assembly Hall with addresses by keynote speakers. It will feature five morning and afternoon panels, as well as about 30 Midday NGO Workshops. Speakers will include eminent personalities, high-level government and UN officials, and representatives of civil society from all regions of the world. These will include representatives of NGOs, academia, the private sector and the media who have first-hand field experience. There will be more opportunities this year for interaction among NGO representatives during the plenary sessions as well as during specials events.

Last year, more than 2,000 people from 70 countries, representing 760 NGOs attended the Conference, which has become the premier NGO event at the United Nations Headquarters.

You may extend this invitation to members and staff of your organization, especially those involved in your public information programmes. We also encourage community leaders, educators and the media to attend. We particularly encourage participation of youth in the Conference. Therefore, we would like you to extend this invitation to young persons who are members of your organization or who work with you on the issues that are relevant to the theme of the Conference. Please note that we must limit the number of participants from any one organization to no more than five persons in order to allow others to participate.

All participants, including those who already have a UN grounds pass, are required to pre-register for the Conference. Please register soon (see form attached) in order to ensure timely receipt of your confirmation letter and a special invitation to the Conference Reception organized by the NGO/DPI Executive Committee on 8 September.

Please be advised that the DPI/NGO Section cannot assist NGO representatives in obtaining United States visas, and we cannot fax confirmation letters to United States embassies. Arrangements for travel, visa, and accommodations, as well as all expenses related to participation in the Conference, must be provided for entirely by the participants or their sponsoring organization. All registration forms must be received by 20 July 2003. Please complete the attached registration form and return it to the NGO Section of the Department of Public Information:

DPI/NGO Resource Centre, Room L-1B-31
United Nations
New York, NY 10017 USA
Fax: (212) 963-2819

Please check our web site at www.un.org/dpi/ngosection for updated information on the conference. We look forward to seeing you at the Conference.

Sincerely,

Fannie Munlin, UN Representative
NGO Section National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
NGO/DPI Executive Committee
Conference Chair and Co-chair,
Planning Committee
56th Annual DPI/NGO Conference

Paul Hoeffel
Chief, NGO Section
Department of Public Information
Co-chair, Planning Committee
56th Annual DPI/NGO Conference

Accreditation
Form 2006

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