Good news from New York: Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples and Civic Diplomacy Young Karelia has been granted special consultative status with Economic and Social Council (#ECOSOC) of the United Nations. This decision recognizes the positive role of the NGO in strengthening of the principles and values of the United Nations and will allow for engaging with international mechanisms even more than earlier.
Center "Young Karelia" is the fifth indigenous organization from Russia that has received special consultative status with ECOSOC, after Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON), Information and Educational Network of Indigenous Peoples “Lyoravetlan” (LIENIP), Center for Support of Indigenous Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North (SCIPN) and Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples of the Russian Federation (AFUN). According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, a total of 70 non-governmental organizations from Russia have ECOSOC consultative status. In total more than 5000 organizations from around the world enjoy active status with ECOSOC.
The United Nations Economic and Social Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the organisation, specifically in regards to the 15 specialized agencies. The Council serves as the central forum for discussing international economic, social and development issues and formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system.
Non-governmental organizations with ECOSOC accreditation have the opportunity to advise the Council and its subsidiary bodies on issues in which they have expertise, and also play a major role in advancing United Nations goals and objectives. Accredited organizations also can:
➤ Have access to ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, various UN human rights mechanisms, ad-hoc processes and special events organized by the President of the General Assembly
➤ Attend international conferences and events
➤ Make written and oral statements at these events
➤ Organize side events
➤ Enter United Nations premises
➤ Have opportunities to network and lobby
Center "Young Karelia" will continue to carry out its activities in accordance with the Charter of the organization and the legislation of Russia. The new status will only add confidence and opportunities to achieve our goals.
More about the special consultative status with ECOSOC in the NGOs Guide to the "Consultative Status.
