The present report provides an overview of how civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were involved in the work of the 49th Session of the Commission for Social Development, which was held in 2011 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. By highlighting how CSOs and NGOs can be involved in the substantive work of the Commission, the report intends to offer guidance to new NGOs on how to work with the United Nations on social development issues.