Who We Are

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The Civil Society Unit is within the Outreach Division in the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC). It is mandated to link the Organization with civil society organizations (CSOs) that are associated with DGC and to support the department's efforts to disseminate information on the work and role of the UN. 

A civil society organization (CSO) or non-governmental organizaiton (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level.  Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, civil society organisations (CSOs) perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens’ concerns to Governments, monitor policies, and encourage political participation at the community level. CSOs provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements, including Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Typically, they are organized around specific issues, such as the UN pillars of peace and security, human rights, and development. CSOs often promote UN observances and international years and decades established by the General Assembly to focus world attention on important issues facing humanity. Their relationships with offices and agencies of the United Nations System differ depending on their location and mandate.

What We Do

The Department of Global Communications cooperates with CSOs whose mandates align with the goals and principles of the United Nations through a variety of initiatives. 

Over 1,500 CSOs with strong information programmes on issues of concern to the United Nations are currently in formal association with the Department of Global Communications, giving the United Nations valuable links to people and communities around the world. DGC helps CSOs gain access to and disseminate information about the range of issues in which the United Nations is involved, to enable them to more effectively carry out their activities in support of the UN Charter and to raise awareness among public audiences about the work of the Organization.