About us
The NGO Relations Cluster is the link to approximately 1,300 Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) associated with the Department of Public Information and supports their efforts to interact effectively with the United Nations in their areas of expertise.
The Cluster is also responsible for facilitating the exchange of information and developing partnerships with civil society. It plays a coordinating role within the UN Secretariat to reach out to civil society partners around the world and enhance their interaction with, and understanding of, the work of the UN.
The Cluster proactively reaches out to representatives of civil society who seek information about the UN and look for opportunities to support the Organization at the international, regional, national and community levels.
The annual UN DPI/NGO Conference is the NGO Relations Cluster’s premier event at the United Nations, attracting around 1,500 NGO representatives from approximately 70 countries.
In 2008, the conference was organized in partnership with UNESCO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Government of France to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was entitled Reaffirming Human Rights: the Universal Declaration at 60. In 2009 the conference was organized in partnership with the United Nations Office for Dissarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Government of Mexico, on the subjects of disarmament, international peace and development.
Over the year, the Cluster sustains partnership with the NGO community by providing:
- 33 weekly NGO Briefings;
- 3 day-long DPI/NGO Communications Workshops;
- A 2 day Orientation Programme for new NGO representatives;
- The NGO Resource Centre;
- The Annual Review of NGOs associated with DPI;
- A multifaceted NGO association and review process; and
- The maintenance of 2 websites.
We, at NGO Relations, are pleased to present to you the work and experience of a multinational team, with staff members from Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States of America.
The experience that our staff brings (over 30 years within the Organization), makes it possible for NGO Relations to enhance the continuity and implementation of the mandate of our Cluster with the NGO community.
And of course, we hope to see you at our annual UN DPI/NGO Conference!