SUBSTANTIVE NGO COMMITTEES IN NEW YORK
(This listing of NGO Committees includes information provided by the Committee. Updates are entered as soon as they are received.)
Ver. 24 March 2024
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NGO Committee on Ageing | ngocoa-ny.org
Executive Committee (2021-2023)
Chairperson: William Smith | Aging in America | wtsmith@aginginamerica.org
Vice-Chairperson: Robin Fenley | International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse | INPEA
Treasurer: Katharine Weiss | Global Ageing Network | k@gort.net
Corresponding Secretary: Ariana Elezaj | International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers
Recording Secretary: Martha Bial | International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics | bial@fordham.edu
Past Chair: Cynthia Stuen | International Federation on Ageing | Cynthia.Stuen@gmail.com
Members-at-Large:
Ramsay Alwin | National Council on Ageing | ramsey.alwin@ncoa.org
Bethany Brown | AARP International
Robin Fenley | International Network for the Prevention of Elder
Christopher Hanway | International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers | chanway@riissettlement.org
The NGO Committee on Ageing, NY, works to raise world awareness of the opportunities and challenges of global ageing. The Committee advocates within the United Nations community to further integrate ageing in UN policies and programs and encourage member states to include ageing needs in social and economic policy considerations. The goal of the Committee is to further the United Nations’ mission of building a society for all ages.
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NGO Committee on Children’s Rights
Co-Chair: Margaretha Jones | International Humanist and Ethical Union | marjones@nyc.rr.com
Co-Chair: Therese Folkes Plair | tfpisc@hotmail.com
Background: The NGO Committee on Children’s Rights was first established as the Working Group on the Rights of the Child of the NGO Committee on UNICEF a few years before the adoption of the CRC by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 to promote information sharing and advocacy for the adoption of the Convention. Following the unanimous adoption of the CRC, the Working Group focused attention on its ratification at the national level and later, with near universal ratification of the Convention, shifted its work to educating about the Convention and promoting its implementation. During the 1990s, active members of the Working Group developed other, more specialized working groups (Children in Armed Conflict, Education, and Girls) to focus on these emerging challenges within the NGO Committee on UNICEF.
On June 3, 2003, the Working Group broadened its work within the UN system by becoming a committee of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations affiliated with the United Nations: the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights. Our monthly meetings involve sharing information and ideas on children’s rights issues, briefings by UNICEF staff and other experts, and planning projects and activities to promote awareness, understanding, and applications of the Convention and its Optional Protocols. Over the years, the Committee has hosted panels for the annual NGO/DPI Conferences, organized side events and prepared written statements for advocacy at the various UN commissions, and held conferences and symposia in collaboration with UNICEF, other UN agencies, missions, and NGO Committees, organized youth fora and prepared publications on various aspects of the dissemination and implementation of the CRC.
Core Values:
- Commitment to implementing principles of human rights and social justice as the foundation of human development in childhood.
- Campaign to ensure that the rights of all children everywhere are fully realized by using the CRC and its optional protocols.
- Putting children’s rights at the center of sustainable development.
- Promoting rights-based practices of non-discrimination, the best interests of children, and children’s rights to survival, protection, development, and participation.
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NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security | ngocdps.wordpress.com
President: Bruce Knotts | Unitarian Universalist Association | bknotts@uua.org
Vice President: Elizabeth Begley | Pax Christi International | paxchristiunny@gmail.com
Recording Secretary: Position Vacant
Corresponding Secretary: Nancy Colton | Fivar@aol.com
Treasurer: Masamichi Kamiya | masamichi.kamiya@gmail.com
Program Coordinator: Guy Quinlan | gcquinlan@aol.com
Publications Coordinator: Elizabeth Begley | Pax Christi International | paxchristiunny@gmail.com
Internship Coordinator: Hiroyuki Sakurai | Soka Gakkai International | hiro.sakurai@sgi-ouna.org
The NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security facilitates NGOs’ participation in formal UN disarmament meetings, such as the General Assembly First Committee debates and review meetings and prepcoms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This is a central function of the NGO Committee, as a primary liaison between the NGO community and the UN Secretariat and an active partner of both. The Committee assists the UN Secretariat with NGO accreditation, conducts orientation and citizen diplomacy training, organizes briefings with key delegates and journalists, and arranges NGO presentations and special events within and outside the UN. We also advocate for a broader NGO role in the UN system. No one can doubt the importance of the formal participation of civil society in disarmament negotiations: witness NGOs’ precedent-setting role in obtaining a convention banning anti-personnel land mines.
History: Homer Jack created the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security as the NGO Committee on Disarmament in 1973 when he was secretary-general of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP). He wrote about its establishment: “For many years, NGOs within the ECOSOC framework have come together under CoNGO—the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Status with ECOSOC. However, only gradually did NGOs working in the field of disarmament associate with CoNGO. To focus on and magnify the impact of the small number of international NGOs on disarmament discussions and negotiations in Geneva, the Special NGO Committee on Disarmament was established there by CoNGO in 1969. Duncan Wood, head of the Quaker UN Office in Geneva, was one of its longtime leaders; another was Sean MacBride of the International Peace Bureau. As WCRP’s secretary-general, I dealt with this Geneva committee and soon realized the need to bring together a similar group at U.N. headquarters in New York. In June 1973, the first meeting of what became the NGO Committee on Disarmament commenced.”
NGOCDPS Today: For over thirty years, the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security has provided services and facilities to hundreds of citizen groups concerned with the peace and disarmament activities of the United Nations. Because of its outstanding efforts as a conference organizer, network clearing house, newspaper publisher, and year-round UN liaison, the NGO Committee is viewed as a primary ally of the international movement for arms control, peace, and disarmament, and the continuing body designated to serve this worldwide constituency. The Committee has a crucial and expanding responsibility to inform NGOs worldwide of the status of negotiations, country positions, significant obstacles, and opportunities and to help NGOs transmit their expertise and creative proposals to the appropriate decision-making process. This website can be your first stop to access current UN issues on disarmament, peace, and security.
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New York NGO Committee on Drugs | nyngoc.org/ | newyorkngoc@gmail.com
Officers:
Chair: Nazlee Maghsoudi | Transform Drug Policy Foundation & Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation | Canada
Vice Chair: Ernesto Cortés | Washington Office on Latin America & Asociación Costarricense para el Estudio e Intervención en Drogas | Costa Rica
Secretary: Beatrix Vas | Youth RISE | Ireland
Treasurer: Benjamin Phillips | DRCNet Foundation & International Drug Law Advocacy and Resource Center | United States
Members-at-Large:
Vera Da Ros | Rede Brasileira de Redução de Danos e Direitos Humanos | Brazil
Heather Haase | International Drug Law Advocacy and Resource Center | United States
Martha Inés Miravete Cicero | Grupo de Mujeres de Argentina – Foro de VIH – Mujeres y Familia | Argentina
Rafael Torruella | Intercambios Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico
Iulia Vatau | Students for Sensible Drug Policy | United States
Summer Walker | Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime | United States
The New York NGO Committee on Drugs (NYNGOC) provides a platform for discussing drugs and drug-related subjects and interfaces with the United Nations (UN) to collaborate on solutions to global drug issues. Operating since 1984, this global committee supports civil society organizations in engaging with the UN system on international drug policy and practice, including facilitating the exchange of information between civil society organizations and UN agencies, member states, and other relevant UN bodies. The NYNGOC represents more than 100 civil society organizations from across the globe. The NYNGOC collaborates with other NGO committees, especially the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC), to ensure a strong NGO voice in UN processes, including recently for the UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS on Drugs) in 2016 and the Ministerial Segment of the 62nd session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in 2019.
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NGO Committee on Education, Learning and Literacy | NGO CELL | Email: ngocell.un@gmail.com | Website: https://linktr.ee/ngocell | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN | Twitter: @ngocell_un (https://twitter.com/NGOCELL_UN) | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12782501/
Chair: Dr. Holly K. Shaw (drhollykshaw@gmail.com) | International Council of Nurses
Co-Chair: Bill Graham (wmgraham1@hotmail.com) | Young Global Leadership Foundation, Italian Diplomatic Academy
Secretary: Thomas Alvarez (talvarez@cgfns.org) | CGFNS International, Inc.
Treasurer: vacant
NGO CELL contact information:
This committee is the successor of the former NGO Committee on Education. It was reconstituted in April 2016 and fully functional as a reconstituted committee in April 2017, with a new set of officers elected. The reconstituted committee highlights three foci of work, which are also now reflected in its new name: 1) Education for global citizenship (engaging the multilateral system and impacting policy and issue formulation and action), 2) Learning for civic engagement (training and forming effective, relevant and accountable NGO and CSO leaders), and 3) Literacy for empowerment (harnessing language, information, and technology for empowered NGO/CSO leadership). Because education is a cross-cutting issue, the committee’s challenge is participating substantively in UN meetings and work areas. Our committee continues to seek ways to work more closely with other CoNGO Committees concerning their education work and to participate in UN Commissions and other meetings. It is incumbent on the committee to relate to UNESCO and to serve as a conduit with CoNGO in its partnership with the International Telecommunications Union concerning implementing the actions taken at the World Summit on Information Society. The newly added focus on learning prioritizes the formation and training of CoNGO leaders and members in areas of good governance in the context of civil society work in multilateral settings.
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NGO Committee on the Family | ngofamilyny.org
The family is the basic building block of society. The mission of the UN NGO Committee on the Family – New York is to ensure its preservation and well-being. To fulfill this mission, we:
- Advocate for the inclusion of the family within the UN system.
- Work to ensure member states commit to improving families through policy, legislation, and programs.
- Engage in lobbying for the inclusion of the family in international resolutions and policies.
- Promote intergenerational ties.
- Maintain relationships with the UN Division of Social Policy and Development and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
- Educate the public on international issues and policies affecting the well-being of families.
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NGO Committee on Financing for Development | ngosonffd.org
Chair: Anita Thomas, Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund | ngosonffd@gmail.com
Vice-Chair: Yvone O’Neal | Africa Development Interchange Network | Secretary: Martha Gallahue | United Religions Initiative | marthagallahue@gmail.com Treasurer: Daniel LeBlanc | Vivat International | dlkomi@gmail.com Member-at-Large: Graciano Gaillard | Global Foundation for Democracy and Development | ggaillard@gaillardcg.com. Member-at-Large: Quinn Wonderling | United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society | qwonderling@umcjustice.org
The NGO Committee on Financing for Development supports the goal to “end poverty and hunger and to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions through promoting inclusive economic growth, protecting the environment and promoting social inclusion,” as outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Monterrey Consensus. The Committee offers a venue for new and established NGOs to learn, discuss, and contribute to the plans, activities, and initiatives of the UN Financing for Sustainable Development Office to further the commitments of the Monterrey Consensus, the Doha Declaration, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The Committee reviews the work of ECOSOC and various United Nations Commissions from the perspective of integrating Financing for Development issues into these bodies’ work.
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NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief | unforb.org | ngoforbny@gmail.com
President: Jonathan Ammons | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints | Jonathan.ammons@churchofjesuschrist.org
Vice-President: Christen Broecker | Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights | broeckerc@ajc.org
Secretary: John Wagner | Humanists International | john.wagner@iheu.org
Treasurer: Ryan Koch | LDS Charities | ryan.koch@churchofjesuschrist.org
Members-at-Large:
Alan Gold | The Free Thought Society | agold122248@yahoo.com
Scott Stearman | Baptist World Alliance | sstearman@mbcnyc.org
Daniel Hoffman | Humanists International | rp518dan@gmail.com
Member Ex-Officio: Bani Dugal | Baha’i International Community | bdugal@bic.org
The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief was formed in 1991 to promote and defend international agreements protecting freedom of religion or belief from within the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The Committee, which consists of civil society leaders, advances freedom of religion or belief by coordinating NGO activities that reinforce UN efficacy in protecting the rights of freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief; communicating with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, other relevant UN Offices, and UN member states; and working with concerned NGOs in Geneva.
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NGO Committee on HIV/AIDS | ngocom.hiv.aids@gmail.com
Chair:
Vice Chair: Beatrice Krauss | bkrauss@hunter.cuny.edu
The Committee addresses the policy discussions related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the UN system by advocating for global action related to the outbreak by strengthening and supporting an expanded response for the prevention of transmission of HIV, the provision of care and support, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS including the societal stigma associated with the disease and alleviating the impact of the epidemic. The Committee facilitates an integrated approach to the work of non-governmental organizations, supplements the activities of other NGO Committees at the UN, works cooperatively with them, and augments the role of NGOs in policy formulation relating to combating HIV/AIDS. The CoNGO Committee on HIV/AIDs is working with Government representatives in the least Developed Countries to provide low-cost antiretroviral medicine, working with UNAIDs and civil society representatives.
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NGO Committee on Human Rights
Co-Chair: Bruce Knotts | Unitarian Universalist Association | bknotts@uua.org
Co-Chair: Bobbi Nassar | International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers | bobbinassar@yahoo.com
Corresponding Secretary: John Miller | War Resisters International
The purpose of the NGO Committee on Human Rights is to encourage the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the United Nations Charter. This is accomplished by:
- Encouraging UN bodies and agencies to include human rights frameworks in their planning and social policy considerations.
- Acting as a forum that receives and shares information on human rights norms and standards.
- Cooperating with UN departments, bodies, organizations, and agencies to raise public awareness to promote, protect and defend human rights.
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NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity
Executive Committee
Chair:
Vice Chair: Susanne Seperson | Generations United | susanneseperson@gmail.com
Secretary: Tiana Toumayan Smilow | Armenian International Women’s Association | ttsmilow@me.com
Treasurer: Kevin Brabazon | Generations United | kevin.brabazon@stern.nyu.edu
Members-at-Large:
Kathy Kline | International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse | kklineco@aol.com
Maria Grazia Zagami | New Humanity | mariagrazia.zagami@gmail.com
Alejandro Bonilla Garcia | Association of Former International Civil Servants for Development (Greycells) | bonilla@actuarial-i.com
The NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity (COIGENS) was formed in New York and approved at the 2018 General Assembly of CoNGO. It formally began as the Sub-Committee on Intergenerational Relationships of the NGO Committee on Ageing in 2000. The IGR Sub-Committee’s interest in intergenerational issues started in the 1990s. It was further inspired by the recommendation from the Second World Assembly on Ageing, which developed the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, entitled “Intergenerational Solidarity” (#42, 43, 44) (April 2002, UN). Given the growing importance and urgency of intergenerational issues as global ageing accelerates, and in light of the UN’s growing commitment to intergenerational problems, after 18 years of presenting well-received programmes and writing annual programme reports to extend the reach of these events, the Sub-Committee sought approval for the creation of a Substantive Committee focused on Intergenerational Solidarity following the principles of Article 3 of the United Nations’ International Bill of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person” and applicable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined in the 2030 Agenda including health, education, gender equality, work, urbanization, and peace.
Mission Statement: The mission of the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity is to enjoin NGOs to promote solidarity between generations in families, communities, and nations for the achievement of a society for all ages through education and advocacy of policies affecting economic, social, and political participation and well-being by the principles of the UN by working with UN member states, the UN Secretariat and the broader civil society. The Committee will seek consultation, collaboration, and cooperation with other NGO Substantive Committees and like-minded organizations.
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NGO Committee on Language and Languages
Chair: Francis M. Hult | Universal Esperanto Association | UEA | fmhult@umbc.edu
Vice-Chair: Humphrey Tonkin | Universal Esperanto Association | UEA | tonkin@hartford.edu
Secretary: Linda Fitchett | International Association of Conference Interpreters | AIIC | l.fitchett@aiic.net
Treasurer: Hans E. Becklin | Tutmonda Esperantista Junulara Organizo | TEJO | pastorbecklin@gmail.com
Members-at-Large:
Daniel LeBlanc | VIVAT International | dlkomi@gmail.com
Alison Rodriguez | International Federation of Translators | FIT | president@fit-ift.org
Multilingualism is a founding principle of the United Nations. Matters of language and relationships between different languages and their users touch all aspects of the work of the UN, internally and externally. Moreover, the United Nations Charter (Article 1) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 2) affirm the right to non-discrimination based on language. The NGO Committee on Language and Languages promotes understanding of the importance of language, linguistic justice, and linguistic non-discrimination through enhanced NGO relations with, inter alia, the Office of the Coordinator for Multilingualism, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Department of Global Communications, UNESCO, the International Telecommunications Union, other relevant UN Offices, and UN member states; and through improved communications among concerned NGOs in New York, Geneva, Vienna and other UN centres around the world. The Committee coordinates NGO activities to reinforce the efficacy of the UN system in the areas of language rights, language policies, and language practices and to stress the importance of the linguistic dimension of all UN activities and programmes.
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NGO Committee on Mental Health | ngomentalhealth.org | unngocmh@gmail.com
Chairperson: Holly Shaw | International Council of Nurses (ICN) | drhollykshaw@gmail.com
Vice-Chairperson: Elaine Congress | International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) | congress@fordham.edu
Recording Secretary: Nina Urban | American Psychiatric Association, Global Bioethics Initiative | nina.urban09@gmail.com
Corresponding Secretary: Felix Torres | American Psychiatric Association | felixtorresmd@gmail.com
Treasurer:
Members-at-Large:
Karen Hopenwasser | International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) | khopenwasser@gmail.com
Siva Mathiyazhagan | Trust for Youth and Child Leadership | dr.siva@tycl.org.in
Rachel Ravich | Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues | rr2295@gmail.com
Ex-officio member: Immediate Past Chairperson, Vivian B. Pender | International Psychoanalytical Association | vp52@cumc.columbia.edu
The NGO Committee on Mental Health, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 1996 under the auspices of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO). The creation of this Committee has fostered a strong collaboration between NGOs that has strengthened the efforts to bring understanding and appreciation of Mental Health issues to the global agenda at the United Nations. It is a coalition of NGOs in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the Department of Public Information, and the private and academic sectors. The primary mission of the Committee is the promotion of psychosocial well-being, the improvement of mental health care services, and advocacy and education in the prevention of mental illness. The Committee works with the United Nations and its specialized agencies to ensure the inclusion of mental health issues within a broader context of concerns such as vulnerable populations, human rights, poverty, violence, the environment, peace, and well-being.
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NGO Committee on Migration | ngo-migration.org
Chair: Christopher Hanway | International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers | chanway@riissettlement.org
Vice–Chair: Cecilie Kern | Mercy International Association | mgaassociate@mercyinternational.ie
Past Chair: Maria Pia Belloni-Mignatti | World Organization for Early Childhood Education | mpbelloni@hotmail.com
Chair Emerita: Eva Sandis | International Council of Psychologists | sandis@fordham.edu
Secretary: Michelle Bell | American Psychological Association | bellpsyd@gmail.com
Treasurer: Joseph Klock | New Humanity | joe.klock@new-humanity.org
Members-at-large:
Christine Mangale | Lutheran Office for World Community | Christine.Mangale@elca.org
Pamela Morgan | Zonta International | pemorgan@aol.com
Marciana Popescu | International Association of Schools of Social Work | popescu@fordham.edu
The mandate of the NGO Committee on Migration, which serves as an umbrella organization for more than fifty-five NGOs, most with branches worldwide, is the promotion and protection of the human rights of refugees, migrants, and their families in accordance with the United Nations Charter. Our NGO Committee was formed following a significant NGO contribution to the preparations for the High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development at the United Nations in September 2006.
Since our founding, we have been actively involved at the United Nations in preparations for and participation in all Civil Society events concerning migration. The Committee has worked closely with the President of the General Assembly, Member States, and members of the Global Migration Group, especially IOM, DESA, UNICEF, and UN Women, as well as with UNHCR and other entities, making presentations, writing reports and critiques, tendering suggestions and advocating for specific ideas and positions.
We have worked closely with the Civil Society Self-Organizing group under the leadership of the International Catholic Migration Commission to prepare and participate in such events as the High-Level Dialogue of 2013, all meetings of the GFMD since 2007, as well as the 19 September 2016 United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants, and we have given input into the development and monitoring of the SDGs. We are working with relevant agencies of the UN to develop Global Compacts on refugees and on safe, orderly, and regular migration. Finally, we rely on the grassroots activities of our constituent organizations for information and action on the ground in our endeavors to advance the human rights of all refugees and migrants.
There are four subcommittees on which members serve: Follow-up to the New York Declaration; Climate-Induced Displacement; Xenophobia and Social Inclusion; Migrant and Refugee Children’s Issues.
Unless otherwise noted, we meet on the second Thursday each month and accept interns from various universities in our learning programs. To become a member of our Committee, join our mailing list, or review our activities and related documents:
Visit our website: www.ngo-migration.com
Please write to us at ngomigrationcommittee@gmail.com
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ngomigration
Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ngomigrationcommittee
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NGO Committee for Rare Diseases ngocommitteerarediseases.org | Secretariat: contact@ngocommitteerarediseases.org
Chair: Anders Olauson | Ågrenska Foundation | Anders.Olauson@agrenska.se
Vice-Chair: Yann Le Cam | EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe
Secretary: Robert Hejdenberg | Ågrenska Foundation | robert.hejdenberg@agrenska.se
Treasurer: Durhane Wong-Rieger | Rare Diseases International
Other Board members:
Kawaldip Sehmi | International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations
Soon Young-Yoon | International Alliance of Women
Lieven Bauwens | International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Alain Weill | World Federation of Hemophilia
The NGO Committee for Rare Diseases aims to bring greater political recognition of the challenges of persons living with a rare disease at the global level. As such, its goal is to prioritize rare diseases in global health, research, and social and medical care as part of the UN 2030 Agenda: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Committee works with the Member States and agencies of the United Nations to ensure the inclusion of the issues affecting persons living with a rare disease in broader debates related to strong public health, social development, the inclusion of vulnerable populations, development in science, technology, and innovation, and human rights for all. In doing so, it ensures that the UN fulfills its role as a key enabler for better lives for persons living with a rare disease and that no one is left behind in the path towards sustainable development. The Committee has defined it as a general objective to work towards the adoption of a UN General Assembly Resolution on Addressing Holistically the Challenges of People Living with a Rare Disease, which would be a remarkable step ahead towards global recognition and actions towards the improvement of their overall life conditions.
The NGO Committee for Rare Diseases was initiated in 2014 by the Ågrenska Foundation and EURORDIS – Rare Diseases Europe. Its inception meeting as a Substantive Committee within CoNGO occurred in October 2015 in New York. The formal inauguration of the Committee took place on 11 November 2016 at the UN headquarters in New York, in cooperation with Rare Diseases International. Since then, the Committee has organized different side events and policy events, participated in several UN conferences and responded to relevant consultations of the different UN bodies and agencies. It will continue to do so and expand its membership to promote multi-stakeholder collaboration and actions for rare diseases within the UN system.
Clara Hervas, Public Affairs Manager, EURORDIS
Policy Coordinator, NGO Committee for Rare Diseases
Eurordis (Brussels Office) – European Organisation for Rare Diseases – 11 rue d’Egmont, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 274 06 10
More information: eurordis.org. Follow us: Facebook | Twitter
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NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples | Facebook https://bit.ly/2I3kRBd | Email:indigenous.committee@gmail.com Website https://www.un-
Chair: Roberto Borrero | mukaro@uctp.org | borrero2005@gmail.com
Vice Chair:
Treasurer: Sandra Sheridan| Sunray Meditation Society | sunrayngo1@gmail.com
Communications Secretary: Daniel LeBlanc | dlkomifi@yahoo.com
Recording Secretary: Elaine Congress | congress@fordham.edu
Members-at-Large: Rashmi Jaipal| rashmijaipal@gmail.com
The NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples includes Indigenous Peoples, representatives of International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The NGO Committee began its work on October 16, 1991, seeking to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations in the 1993 United Nations International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. On December 8, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly launched the International Decade, and the NGO Committee transferred its mandate from the International Year to support the International Decade (1995-2004). The mission of this Committee is to Support the Decade’s Program of Activities (A/Res/50/157), including the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9); Promote the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the support the recently established Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Educate the international community about the concerns and issues facing Indigenous Peoples; Disseminate information about the Decade to Indigenous Peoples and relevant NGOs. The NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples meets monthly in New York City and invites your participation.
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NGO Committee on Social Development | ngosocdev.org | Brochure | Strategic Planning 2020-2021
Co-Chair: Maria Fornella-Oehninger | Soroptimist International | ngocsocdchair@gmail.com
Co-Chair: Monica Jahangir-Chowdhury | International Movement ATD Fourth World | monica.jahangir@atd-quartmonde.org
Vice Chair: Gillian D’Souza-Nazareth | Red Dot Foundation | gillian@reddotfoundation.org Treasurer: Cynthia (Annamma) Mathew | Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary-Loreto | cynthiamathewun@gmail.com
Recording and Communications Secretary: Durstyne Farnan, OP | Dominican Leadership Conference | ngo@domlife.org
Members at large:
Mary Ann Dantuono | International Association of Charities | madantuono@gmail.com
Despoina Afrodita Milaki | International Presentation Association | ipa.ngo.rep@gmail.com
Margaret O’Dwyer | Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
The NGO Committee for Social Development is dedicated to raising awareness and discussing social development issues taken up by the United Nations (UN) System, particularly by the UN Commission for Social Development. The Committee also advocates social development issues in forums such as the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the General Assembly. Committee members keep one another informed and deliver group statements to the UN voicing ideas and positions on key social development issues. In addition, the Committee is focused on reviewing the outcome of the World Summit on Social Development.
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NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns | csvgc-ny.org | History.
OFFICERS
Chairperson: Danilo Parmegiani | Legion of Good Will
Vice Chair: Sabita Geer | Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Corresponding Secretary: Rosleny Ubinas | Baha’i International Community
Treasurer: Keiko White |Universal Peace Federation
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Nina Meyerhof | Children of the Earth
Laurence Singer | Global Family for Peace and Love
FORMER CHAIRS
Founder and Chair Emeritus: Diane Williams | Academy for Future Science
Chair Emeritus: Audrey Kitagawa | United Religions Initiative
Chair Emeritus: Sharon Hamilton-Getz | International Institute for International Social Development
Chair Emeritus: Genie Kagawa | Universal Peace Federation
Chair Emeritus: Ken Kitatani | Sukyo Mahikari Center for Spiritual Development (Ex-Officio)
The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns (NY) envisions a global culture of peace based on justice, solidarity, inclusiveness, shared responsibility, harmony, cooperation, compassion, love, wisdom, goodwill, and reverence for the sacredness of all life through active peaceful engagement. Infused with a foundation of spirituality and values that are universal in nature, transcending the boundaries of religion, ethnicity, gender, and geography, the Committee is resolved to help bring about a culture in which we, the peoples of the world, can address together our common global concerns in a positive, holistic and transforming way and live together in peace with one another, thus realizing the core objectives and universal principles stated in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Committee aims to integrate spirituality and values into all areas of the United Nations agenda and public policy. We aspire to support the spiritual principles, global ethics, and universal values, such as respect, justice, peace, dignity, freedom, responsibility, and cooperation, that underlie the work of the United Nations. To fulfill the promise of the United Nations to create a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world, we support the recognition and acceptance that spirituality and adherence to universal values are key factors in providing solutions to global concerns. This committee recognizes the importance of connecting with our divine essence, inner wisdom, and the oneness of life. Increased awareness and application of the importance of a value, spirit, and soul-conscious dimension at all levels of society, particularly at the United Nations, will allow for the finest and the highest levels of human potential to flourish for the benefit of all.
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NGO Committee on Status of Women—New York | info@ngocsw.org | ngocsw.org | @NGO_CSW_NY
Co-Chair: Ivy Koek | Soka Gakkai International | ivy.koek@sgi-ouna.org
Co-Chair: Pamela Morgan| Zonta International | co-chairs@ngocsw.org
Vice Chair: Rosa Lizarde |Feminist Task Force | rosa.lizarde@feministtaskforce.org
Treasurer: Gillian D’Souza Nazareth | Red Dot Foundation | gillian@reddotfoundation.org
Members-at-Large:
Rosemary Barberet | International Sociological Association
Sulekha Frank | International Alliance of Women
Liliane Nkunzimana | Baha’i International Community
Foteini Papagioti | International Center for Research on Women
Marline McLean | Soroptimist International
Michelle Peedin | AHAM Education
Past Chair, Ex Officio: Houry Geudelekian | Unchained At Last
The NGO Committee on the Status of Women, NY (NGO CSW/NY) supports the work of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and UN Women. By playing an active role in the UN Community, NGO CSW/NY advocates for women’s rights and the advancement of women and girls worldwide. In its work with the NGO Committees on the Status of Women in Geneva and Vienna, NGO CSW/NY supports the Beijing Platform for Action, UN Security Resolution 1325, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). NGO CSW/NY members represent approximately 100 organizations that monitor and actively participate in the daily UN events in New York. Every year NGO CSW/NY organizes the NGO Consultation Day in preparation for the UN Commission on the Status of Women sessions that take place in February/March. In bringing together activists worldwide for two weeks at the United Nations, NGO CSW/NY enables members to network, share strategies and best practices, and lobby governments to implement resolutions and treaties they have signed. NGO CSW/NY brings NGO Representatives together to caucus, issue joint statements, and provide the wording for the Agreed Conclusions of the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
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NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY | ngocsd-ny.org | Facebook | Twitter: @NGOCSDN | ngocsdunc@gmail.com
NGOCSD-NY Executive Board
President & Chair: Margo LaZaro | Huairou Commission, Global Family & Youth for a Better World/Montessori MUN | margolazaro@gmail.com
Vice Chair: Emilie McGlone | Director of Peace Boat-US, New York Office
Vice Chair: Dr. Andrise Bass | President & Founder of Humanitarian Focus Foundation & Vice President of ASPAFrique
Secretary: Yamile Eusebio | Director of Global Foundation for Democracy & Development
Treasurer: Dr. Martha Kebalo | World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations
Corresponding Secretary: Victoria Edmonds | Salvation Army | victoria_edmonds@salvationarmy.org
Members:
Laurence Singer, Esq. | Global Family for Love and Peace
Dr. Padmini (Mini) Murthy, Professor and Global Health Director at New York Medical College | minimurthy@aol.com
Michael Jacobson | Chair of Youth for a Better World: Montessori Model UN | Youth Impact! Forum
Sheima Sweiss | Global Family
Amanda Nesheiwat | Foundation for Post-Conflict Development
Dr. Gbujie Daniel Chidubem | African Trade Center & Founder of Team54Project International
Mary Ann Tarantula | Zonta International
Bruce Knotts, Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office | bknotts@uua.org
Chair Ex-Officio: Ms. Iryna Kurowyckyj | International Council of Women | irynak@aol.com
Funmi Ogunbufunmi | NGOCSD-NY Youth Representative
The purpose of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY is to monitor and influence the implementation of the commitments and agreements adopted by the United Nations that pertain to sustainable development as defined by the UN Conference on Environment and Development, the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the MDGs, the SDGs, Rio+20 and Post-2015 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Agenda. We seek to be knowledgeable about sustainable development issues under discussion or expected to be discussed by the United Nations for the High-Level Political Forum. We focus attention and promote the programs of the United Nations on 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the success of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, working closely with relevant UN commissions and agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat), UNDP, UNDESA, UN Women, UNFPA, UNDGC (formerly UNDPI) and UNODA. We promote and facilitate knowledge exchange and disseminate information on sustainable development issues within the NGO community and the general public to raise awareness toward an action agenda. We work with Ambassadors and Permanent Missions to the United Nations, members of civil society, academia, women, youth, people with disabilities, indigenous leaders, members of the private sector, and sustainable development experts in energy, water, climate change, and infrastructure to bring about partnerships and collaborations that foster innovative solutions for sustainable development, social impact initiatives and gender equality issues. Our NGOCSD-NY Motto is: “Turn Your Passions into Actions for Change.” The NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY is officially Associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications. We are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
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NGO Committee on Sustainable Human Settlements | ngochs.org
This NGO Committee must be reconstituted. Please email the CoNGO President (president@ngocongo.org) if you are interested in the reconstitution process.
This is the current objective of the committee; it will be revised once 20 NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status have signed up to reconstitute the committee.
Our objective is to monitor collectively, and through our respective organizations, the implementation of commitments outlined in the Habitat Agenda of the Conference on Human Settlements, Agenda 21 of the Conference on the Environment and Development, and relevant elements from plans of action or other United Nations conferences—especially the World Urban Forum—that promote the provision of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world, Our interests include the development of proposals and recommendations of strategies that support the effective participation of all citizens in cooperative ventures to create and maintain sustainable communities and healthy livelihoods, especially in light of the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, we aim to organize events in cooperation with the UN Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and other relevant organizations. We undertake to be informed about significant issues affecting human settlements and integrate with the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and others involved in our committee’s activities. Through local and worldwide outreach and access, we shall facilitate the exchange of knowledge and dissemination of information in human settlements.