Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Recommends Special Consultative Status for 64 Entities, Postpones Action on 50 Others
Continuing its regular session for 2016, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today recommended 64 organizations for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and deferred action on the status of 50 others.
The 19-member Committee considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by non-governmental organizations. Once an application has been reviewed and approved by the Committee it is considered recommended for consultative status. Organizations which were granted general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items. Organizations with roster status can only attend meetings.
Action on several applications were postponed because Committee members requested further information from the candidates about, among other items, details of their respective organizations’ activities, partners, expenditures, sources of funding and relationship with United Nations system actors.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations will meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 27 January, to continue its session.
Special Consultative Status
The Committee recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant special consultative status to the following 64 organizations:
Shelter and Settlements Alternatives: Uganda Human Settlements Network (SSA: UHSNET) (Uganda);
Société coopérative des agriculteurs du Cameroun "STE COOPAGRIPO COOP-CA" (Cameroon);
Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust (India);
TERRE Policy Centre (India);
The Iraqi Society for Emergency Medicine (Iraq);
The Sind Graduates Association (Pakistan);
The United Iraqi Medical Society for Relief and Development (Iraq);
Total Quality Management Magazine (Iran);
True Worth Foundation (Pakistan);
WASH Network (SL) (Sierra Leone);
Young African Leaders Initiative Limited (Zambia);
Youth Development of Congo YOUDEC (Democratic Republic of the Congo);
Youth for Comm. Academic & Dev. Services — YOCADS (Liberia);
Acclaim Otago Incorporated (New Zealand);
Al Manarah — Association for Arab Persons with Disabilities (Israel);
All-Russian social movement “Association of Finno-Ugric peoples of the Russian Federation” (Russian Federation);
American Academy of Pediatrics (United States);
American Arabic Academy of Science and Technology, LLC (United States);
American Middle East Christians Congress (United States);
Asoc Hispano-Nigeriana para el Desarrollo Industrial y Comercial (Spain);
Association Bharathi Centre Culturel Franco-Tamoul (France);
Association des étudiants tamouls de France (France);
Association des Fabricants européens de Munitions de Sport (Belgium);
Association Malienne de Savoir Construire (A.M.S.C.) (France);
Christian Associations of Italian Laborers (U.S.A.) Inc. (ACLI) (United States);
College of the Atlantic (United States);
Community Systems Foundation (United States);
Compass Housing Services Co. Ltd (Australia);
Conseil International Pour Le Soutien A Des Proces Equitables Et Aux De L'home -Cispedh (Switzerland);
Covenant International University and Seminary Inc. (United States);
Diplomatici (Italy);
Diversity Living Services (United Kingdom);
Fédération Internationale des Organisations de Donneurs de Sang (Monaco);
France Volontaires (France);
Fundación Lobbying Social (Mexico);
Global Civic Sharing (Republic of Korea);
Global Millennium Development Foundation Inc. (United States);
Global Millennium International, Inc. (United States);
Güçsüzler Yurdu Sakinleri Koruma Yardımlaşma Dayanışma Eğitim ve Kültür Derneği (Turkey);
Humanic Relief — Menschen Hilfswerk (Austria);
International Federation of the Blue Cross, Bern (Switzerland);
International Health Council (Canada);
International Young Professionals Foundation (Australia);
Isät lasten asiallary (Finland);
Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (Japan);
JCall — European Jewish Call for Reason (France);
Klumpfußprojekt Mali — ein Verein zur Klumpfußbekämpfung in Mali, Westafrika (Austria);
Kuwaiti Association for Learning Differences (Kuwait);
March of Dimes Canada (Canada);
NGO Sustainability, Inc. (United States);
Non-Profit Foundation “The Foundation for the Study of Democracy and Geopolitics” (Russian Federation);
Rural Development Foundation Global Ltd. (United Kingdom);
Stichting International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service (Spain);
Stichting West European Confederation of Maritime Technology Societies (United Kingdom);
The Geneva Consensus Foundation (Switzerland);
The MILLA Project Inc. (United States);
The Organization for Poverty Alleviation and Development (Sweden);
Vision GRAM-International (Canada);
World Mission Good Seed (Canada);
World Wide Web Foundation (United States);
Youth Organisations for Drug Action (Poland);
“Association of Women with University Education” Social Organization (Armenia);
Barzani Charity Foundation/BCF (Iraq);
and Corporacion Cultural Nueva Acropolis Chile (Chile).
The Committee postponed consideration of the following 50 organizations:
Society for Environment and Development (India) — as the representative of India asked for details about the organization’s activities and sources of funding.
Society for Protection of Street & Working Children (Iran) — as the representative of India asked about the meaning of “Iranian Rules” under the "Membership" section.
Society for the Widows and Orphans (Nigeria) — as the representative of South Africa asked for clarification on the aims and purposes of the organization. She also asked for more detailed information about the organization’s budget.
St Monica University Inc. (Cameroon) — as the representative of Cuba asked for detailed information on the organization’s income and expenses. South Africa’s delegate asked about the organization’s partners in other countries.
Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (Nigeria) — as the representative of South Africa asked about the organization’s budget deficit.
The Network of Rural Women Producers (Trinidad and Tobago) — as the representative of South Africa asked how the organization would contribute to the work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. He also asked about the role of the organization in the Commission on the Status of Women. The representative of the United States noted that several organizations had attended the Commission without having special consultative status with the Council. She requested the representative of South Africa to rephrase his question as it might be confusing for the organization. Representatives of India and China noted that each country had the right to pose a question to the organization.
Ugonma Foundation (Nigeria) — as the representative of South Africa asked how the organization intended to contribute to the work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. She also asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit.
World Christian Association for Peace and Assistance Ministry International (Cameroon) — as the representative of South Africa asked for greater clarification on the organization’s activities.
Youths Employment Service (YES Cameroon) (Cameroon) — as the representative of South Africa asked for more information about the organization’s sources of income and its expenditures. She also asked for further information about the current projects.
Association Consortium pour les Aires et Territoires du Patrimoine Autochtone et Communautaire (APAC) (Switzerland) — as the representative of China noted that “Taiwan” was listed as a country on the organization’s website.
Blacksmith Institute Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on the organization’s name.
British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (United Kingdom) — as the representative of India asked how the organization’s activities were related to the work of the Council.
Center for Democracy and Technology (United States) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on the organization’s activities. Cuba’s delegate requested the organization to provide its web page address.
Cities of Peace, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on the organization’s position on Tibet.
Coptic Solidarity (United States) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on the organization’s projects in Egypt. He also inquired whether the organization had undertaken any activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Earth Island Institute Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China asked for further information about the organization’s activities in Asia.
Europe Business Assembly Limited (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China noted that “Taiwan” was listed as a country on the organization’s website.
European Network on Independent Living limited (Ireland) — as the representative of China noted that “Taiwan” was listed as a country on the organization’s website. The delegate of the United States requested the delegation to indicate the document’s name. China’s representative noted that his question was “very well-known” by the Committee, and recommended the organization to use “Google” to find the concerning document.
Faith Matters Community Interest Company (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Cuba asked about the organization’s budget deficit.
Fang Protective Services, Incorporated (United States) — as the representative of Cuba requested the organization to provide the Committee with an updated financial report.
Fondation Alkarama (Switzerland) — as the representative of the Russian Federation asked how the organization monitored its activities in Syria, particularly in areas that were not under the control of the Government.
Fondation One Drop/One Drop Foundation (Canada) — as the representative of South Africa asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit.
Fondazione GEM (Italy) — as the representative of China’s asked for clarification on the organization’s position on “Taiwan”. South Africa’s delegate asked for an explanation of the foundation’s budget deficit.
FreeMuslim Association, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of South Africa noted that the aims and purposes of the organization were extremely problematic for his delegation. He asked for clarification on the issue.
Fundación BBVA para las Microfinanzas (Spain) — as the representative of Cuba asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit. He also asked for further information about the organization’s projects and activities.
Haitelmex Foundation A.C. (Mexico) — as the representative of South Africa asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit.
Horn of Africa Aid and Rehabilitation Action Network (United States) — as the representative of South Africa asked for clarification on the organization’s financial statement and inquired further information about the projects implemented by the organization.
Insamlingsstiftelsen Kvinna till Kvinna (Sweden) — as the representative of South Africa asked about the organization’s key partners. The delegate from the Russian Federation asked for clarification on the expenses.
International Organization for Promoting Public Diplomacy, Science, Education and Youth Cooperation “Eurasian Commonwealth” (Russian Federation) — as the representative of South Africa asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit and for clarification on the aims and purposes of the entity.
Internationale Gemeinschaft für die Unterstützung von Kriegsopfern e.V. (Germany) — as the representative of Iran asked for clarification on the organization’s area of operation.
Karlen Communications (Canada) — as the representative of the United States asked about the organization’s activities.
Memory Trees Corporation (United States) — as the representative of South Africa asked for clarification on the organization’s aims and purposes, sources of funding and activities. The delegate of the United States noted that questions should be more specific. Taking the floor a second time, the representative of South Africa noted that the question was not directed to the United States but to the organization.
Microclinic International (United States) — as the representative of South Africa asked for further information about the organization’s possible partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Missing Children Global Network, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for further information about the activities, including past projects.
Mission des sociétés d'assurances pour la connaissance et la prévention des risques naturels (France) — as the representative of South Africa asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit.
Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope (Canada) — as the representative of South Africa asked for clarification about the sources of funding and inquired how the organization dealt with the question of “independence”.
Sister to Sister One in the Spirit Inc. (United States) — as the representative of South Africa asked for further information about the aims and purposes of the organization. She also asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit.
Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China asked about the organization’s position on Tibet.
The International Alliance of Carer Organizations, Incorporated (United States) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on the organization’s position on “Taiwan”. India’s representative asked for further information about the activities undertaken in Nepal.
The Lady Fatemah (A.S.) Charitable Trust (United States) — as the representative of South Africa asked for further information about the organization’s projects and activities.
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania (United States) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on the organization’s position on Tibet.
WE Foundation, World Education Foundation (United States) — as the representative of South Africa asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit.
Women Enabled (United States) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for clarification on the term “international”. South Africa’s representative asked whether the organization had any operation in Africa.
Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) Limited (United Kingdom) — as the representative of South Africa asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit.
Women of Africa (United Kingdom) — as the representative of South Africa asked for clarification on the organization’s aims and purposes as well as its activities.
African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (South Africa) — as the representative of South Africa asked for details on the organization’s budget deficit. He also asked whether the organization had created partnerships with the Government.
Association of Pacific Rim Universities (Singapore) — as the representative of Mauritania asked for clarification on the organization’s expenses. Singapore’s representative expressed her delegation’s full support to the application.
Human Rights Observers (India) — as the representative of India inquired whether it was a non-profit organization or a company. He also asked for detailed information about the sources of funding.
International Non-Olympic University (India) — as the representative of India asked for clarification on the organization’s planned activities and projects. He also asked about their relationship with the United Nations system actors.
Kids & Teens Resource Centre (Nigeria) — as the representative of South Africa asked which Government had funded the organization, and how the entity ensured its independence. She asked for clarification on the Centre’s collaboration with international organizations.
Interactive Discussion
During a question-and-answer session this afternoon, a representative of the organization Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association said he looked forward to receiving questions from the Committee members.
The representative of Greece asked for further details about the organization’s upcoming projects. India’s delegate was interested in learning more about the organization’s contribution to the Council’s work.
In response, that organization’s representative said that the organization had a strategic plan covering the period between 2015 and 2020. The main objective was to achieve the participation of civil society and full protection of human rights. Since 2013, the organization had cooperated with the European Union, creating dialogue between countries and cultures.
The Committee then granted special consultative status to Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association.
A representative of Zaka Rescue and Recovery said his group provided an emergency response in crises by dispatching teams of expertly trained volunteers to disaster incidents. The organization had assisted in rescue and recovery operations in several countries, including but not limited to Nepal, China and India.
As there were no questions or comments, the Committee granted special consultative status to Zaka Rescue and Recovery.
A representative of We Care for Humanity kindly asked the Committee to be fair.
The representative of Iran asked how the organization intended to contribute to the work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. The representative of China asked whether the organization had undertaken any activities in the Asia-Pacific region. Cuba’s delegate asked why the organization had only one project in 2014. The representative of China, taking the floor a second time, asked for clarification on the organization’s position on Tibet.
A representative of We Care for Humanity noted that the organization had participated in several events promoting the Sustainable Development Goals. Regarding the projects, she noted that the ones started in 2013 were still ongoing. However, the organization had only one project in 2014. Regarding the activities in the Asia-Pacific region, the organization had continued to distribute donations to children.
The foundation’s application was deferred.