[WSIS CS-Plenary] Hi level panel calls for civil society inclusion in UN system

[Jak Archibald]

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] On
Behalf Of Liss Jeffrey
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2004 3:47 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Hi level panel calls for civil society
inclusion in UN system



News we can use!

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11104
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11104&Cr=civil&Cr1=society
> &Cr=civil&Cr1=society

UN should open itself further to involve civil society, high-level panel
says

21 June 2004 – As the world's problems grow ever-more complex, the
United Nations should stop limiting its decision-making processes
exclusively to governments and instead needs to open its deliberations
to greater involvement by civil society groups and the private sector, a
blue-ribbon panel recommends
<http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sg2089.doc.htm>  in a new report
released today.

The Chairman of the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society
Relations, former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil, said
the growing participation and influence of non-state actors is enhancing
democracy and reshaping multilateralism.

"Civil society organizations are the prime movers of some of the most
innovative initiatives to deal with emerging global trends," he said at
a press briefing on the launch of the report in New York. "Given how the
world has changed, constructively engaging with civil society is a
necessity for the United Nations."

The report, entitled "We the Peoples: Civil Society, the United Nations
and Global Governance," refers to the sometimes-fraught relationship
between civil society groups, such as non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), and governments at the UN.

While this relationship has strengthened greatly and multiplied over the
years, "difficulties and tensions have arisen, particularly in the
deliberative process," the report notes.

"Governments do not always welcome sharing what has traditionally been
their preserve," it says. "At the same time, many in civil society are
becoming frustrated; they can speak in the UN but question whether
anyone is listening, or whether their participation has any impact on
outcomes."

The report argues for a paradigm shift in how the UN sees itself, saying
the Organization should foster "multi-constituency" processes that
incorporate the perspectives and abilities of citizen groups, policy
advocates, businesses, local governments and parliamentarians.

"We see the dialogue and the collaboration with non-State actors not as
a threat to governments but as a powerful way to reinvigorate the
intergovernmental process," Mr. Cardoso told the briefing.

The Panel, appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in February 2003,
recommends that the General Assembly include civil society organizations
more regularly in its affairs. It also calls for increased civil society
dialogues with the Security Council and the appointment of a senior UN
official to promote engagement with civil society.

In addition to Mr. Cardoso, Panel members are affiliated with
governments, NGOs, academia and the private sector and include Bagher
Asadi of Iran, Manuel Castells of Spain, Birgitta Dahl of Sweden, Peggy
Dulany of the United States, André Erdös of Hungary, Asma Khader of
Jordan, Juan Mayr of Colombia, Malini Mehra of India, Kumi Naidoo of
South Africa, Mary Racelis of the Philippines, Prakash Ratilal of
Mozambique and Aminata Traoré of Mali.

Search UN News 

Past 2 weeksPast 30 daysPast 45 days 
Advanced  <http://www.un.org/News/dh/latest/searchFull.shtml> Search
<http://www.un.org/News/dh/> 

Related news stories
Views
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11094&Cr=middle&Cr1=east>
of ordinary people on Middle East peace count too, senior UN official
says - 18 June

UN  <http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11091&Cr=haiti&Cr1=>
electoral team wraps up assessment mission to Haiti - 18 June

UNICEF
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11066&Cr=africa&Cr1=child>
study shows dire situation for women, children in southern Sudan - 16
June

Annan
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11063&Cr=Middle&Cr1=East>
calls for focus on majorities for peace among Palestinians and Israelis
- 16 June

Annan
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11059&Cr=desert&Cr1=>
urges tougher action against creeping desertification - 16 June

Related press releases
CIVIL SOCIETY  <http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/pal1998.doc.htm>
CONTRIBUTIONS KEEP HOPE ALIVE FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE, INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
SEMINAR TOLD ON OPENING DAY - 16 June

STATEMENT OF  <http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sgsm9362.doc.htm>
SECRETARY-GENERAL TO CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM IN BRAZIL - 14 June

NGO COMMITTEE  <http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/ngo540.doc.htm>
HEARS FROM DIRECTOR OF EMINENT PANEL ON UN-CIVIL SOCIETY RELATIONS,
RECOMMENDS TWO ORGANIZATIONS FOR CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECOSOC - 25
May



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/pipermail/plenary/attachments/20040621/4230d33f/attachment.html