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PRESS RELEASE: Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations Recommends Six Entities for Status with Economic and Social Council, Defers Consideration of 25 Applications

Divergent Views Emerge as Members Discuss Permissible Level of Participation of Observers in Reviewing Applications

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today recommended six entities for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and postponed consideration of 25 applications in the penultimate day of its 2011 regular session, which heard extensive debate over the appropriate rights and procedures required to pose questions to groups seeking standing in the 19-member body.

General, special or roster status is granted in accordance with such criteria as the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime. Organizations enjoying general and special status can attend meetings of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and circulate statements, while those with general status can, in addition, address meetings and propose agenda items. Roster-status NGOs can only attend meetings. Organizations with general and special status must also submit a report every four years.

The Committee reviewed the applications of a range of organizations for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, considering new applications, new requests for reclassification and requests for reclassification that had been deferred from previous sessions.

The Committee today recommended special consultative status for the following organizations:

Council for American Students in International Negotiations, a national organization in the United States that generates discussion and instils knowledge about international issues at universities across the country, and works to create a core group of young leaders to engage communities in global affairs.

Other groups to receive this status include:

International Human Rights Observer Pakistan, a national organization working to educate and create awareness on fundamental freedoms and rights enshrined within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to advocate for the effective implementation of the international human rights already signed by Governments;

Vivekananda Sevakendra-O-Sishu Uddyan, a national organization working out of West Bengal, India, to support the holistic development of the Indian community in a self-sustainable manner, in particular through microfinance projects and various community development programmes;

Afromedianet, a France-based international network of leading journalists and independent experts specializing in human rights, development issues and humanitarian affairs in Africa;

Athletes United for Peace, an international NGO in the United States promoting peace, education and friendship through sport programmes and events for young people;

5th Pillar, a United States-based international NGO working to set up Right to Information Act (2005) service centres for raising awareness among Indian citizens about eliminating corruption at all levels of society.