NGO Substantive Committees

Bringing NGO expertise to the United Nations

CoNGO’s NGO Committees bring together NGOs, members of the CoNGO secretariat and government delegations to discuss pertinent themes and issues before the UN and the international community. CoNGO members and the larger NGO community work together through these committees to share information, to cooperate on substantive issues and to bring NGO expertise into the discussions of governments in UN fora. CoNGO’s NGO Committees operate in Geneva, New York and Vienna.

NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning

Chair: Claire de Lavernette cdelavernette@gmail.com

The objective on the NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning is to ensure the participation of NGOs in the processes of global policy making on human rights education and learning in relation to the UN institutions, principally the UN Human Rights Council. The Working Group holds regular meetings for strategy-building and activity planning, organizes public meetings at the UN, delivers civil society views and proposals jointly by member NGOs, and consults and cooperates with the OHCHR and UN Member States and experts. Recently, the Working Group participated in the joint written statement on “the UN framework for human rights education and civil society participation” with 365 signatories including those not in consultative status with the UN ECOSCO and national human rights institutions submitted to the UN Human Rights Council 10th session in March 2009, and has contributed to the drafting process of the draft UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training.

NGO Sub-Committee on Freedom of Religion and Belief

Chair
Diane Ala’i (bic@geneva.bic.org)

The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Geneva) acts as a sub-committee of the CONGO Special Committee on Human Rights and aims to promote the fundamental freedom of religion or belief by supporting and co-ordinating NGO activities to help uphold UN standards. In particular, the committee seeks to follow and support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. On Monday this week, in the margins of the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council, the Committee hosted a public dialogue with the current Rapporteur, Ms Asma Jahangir, which was attended by approximately 50 participants, mainly NGOs, and it is currently encouraging the efforts of its members and the wider human rights community to bring forward suitable nominations for the next mandate holder, who will be appointed in June.

NGO Committee on the Status of Women

President
Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda (ngocsw@hotmail.com)

Vice Presidents
Federation of American Women’s Club Overseas (FAWCO) Sara von Moos
MMM International (Mouvement Mondial des Mères/Make Mothers Matter) Valerie Bichelmeier

The Committee and its Working Groups objective is to work in partnership with the UN and its specialised agencies to influence governments to respect the commitments they have made at world conferences and through international conventions and principles, and to maintain a global momentum for mainstreaming gender equality. Through its Working Groups, the Committee shares information and provides a platform where women and men come together to show how society benefits from women’s equal access and opportunities to participate in policy and decision making; to help women build their confidence in order to gain in advancing their status. Some of the significant activities of the Committee over the last decades have included: setting up workshops and panels at the NGO Forum in Huairou China prior to and during the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995; convened a panel of UN interagency focal points to evaluate implementation of Beijing Platform for Action in 1996; organized with CONGO several panels within the theme Gender Equality at the Seoul International Conference of NGOs in Korea in 1999; organized jointly with the ECE Women’s Working Group the European preparatory regional meeting to Beijing Plus Five in January 2000 and collaborated with ECE governmental delegates in drafting the agreed conclusions; collaborated with its Working Groups to organize several panel meetings during the UN Special Session in Geneva in June 2000, on the Follow-up to the Copenhagen Summit on Social Development in 1995; organized jointly with the World Bank a presentation of its Gender Equality and Development programme; organized panels at the UNCTAD Third Conference on Least Developed Countries in Bruxelles in May 2000. Since 1997, the Committee has organized Gender/Women caucuses and panels during the Human Rights Council (and before the Commission on Human Rights as well as facilitated other gender equality meetings during important UN conferences. Reports on these activities have been published.

http://www.ngocsw-geneva.ch

NGO Committee on Racism and Racial Discrimination

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NGO Committee on Mental Health

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NGO Committee on Human Rights

The NGO Special Committee on HR provides space for information exchange and collective reflection among its members, in particular in relation to the recent institution building process of the UN Human Rights Council. It also organises and co-sponsors information and orientation sessions during the sessions of the Council. It finally initiated the reflection on improving NGO information sharing and strategic collaboration on substantive issues, notably through promoting an online collaboration platform (www.ngoic.org).

NGO Committee on Disarmament

Chair
Jonathan Frerichs (jonathan.frerichs@wcc-coe.org)

The NGO Committee for Disarmament facilitates and supports coordination and cooperation between civil society, NGOs, and the UN on peace and disarmament initiatives. For thirty-five years, the NGO Committee for Disarmament has played a crucial and expanding role in raising awareness in civil society and among NGOs worldwide on the status of negotiations, country positions, major obstacles and opportunities, and has helped NGOs transmit their expertise and creative proposals to appropriate decision-making fora.

NGO Committee on Development

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NGO Committee on Ageing

The overall goals and objectives of the Geneva NGO Committee on Ageing include:

To further the United Nations’ mission of building a society for all ages;
To raise awareness of ageing and intergenerational issues and ensure that they are adequately addressed by the UN System;
To advocate for a new convention on the rights of older persons;
To influence global policy and monitor the implementation of existing commitments.

The Committee will strive to attain its objectives by:

Strengthening relationships with NGOs and by providing a platform for strategy development;
Bringing diverse voices from local and national levels to international platforms;
Drawing on the experience of Committee Members to share analysis on trends, needs and good practices; and
Maintaining regular communication with the Vienna and New York UN NGO Committees on Ageing and with the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG).

Officers and contact:

If you are interested in learning more about the Committee or joining the Committee, please contact the Executive Committee at ngoageing@gmail.com

Chair:

Silvia Perel-Levin

representative of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC Global Alliance)

Vice-Chair:

Kelly G. Fitzgerald

representative of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

Secretary:

Ursula Barter-Hemmerich

representative of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)

NGO Committee on the Environment

Chair
Vita de Waal (ngocoe@gmail.com)

New York Committees on...

Elimination of Racism, Afrophobia and Colorism

More info soon.

Rare Diseases

The NGO Committee for Rare Diseases is dedicated to bringing greater political recognition and understanding about rare diseases at the global level. The committee acts as an advocacy platform, bringing together a diversity of stakeholders such as international NGOs, UN agencies, national governments, the academic and scientific world and the private sector for the benefit of those people living with a rare disease. In particular, it aims to bring visibility about rare diseases to the United Nations and to integrate them in its agencies’ operations and advocacy agenda as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NGO Committee for Rare Diseases was launched in November 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, establishing its Founding Act.

Website: http://www.ngocommitteerarediseases.org/

Contact: contact@ngocommitteerarediseases.org

Download Report from the inauguration of the NGO COMMITTEE FOR RARE DISEASES

NGO Committee on Youth

(due for reconstitution)

NGO Committee on the Status of Women

Chair
Susan O’Malley

Vice Chair
Betty Levy

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 Millennium Development Goals, and the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Members of NGO CSW/NY 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 from around the world 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 wording for the Agreed Conclusions of the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

www.ngocsw.org

NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Chair

Roberto Borrero (borrero2005@gmail.com)

The NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World’s 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 with regard to 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 supporting the International Decade (1995-2004). The mission of the NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is to: Support the Decades 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 United Nations International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples meets once a month in New York City and invites your participation. Contact numbers are listed at the top of the page.

NGO Committee on the Freedom of Religion or Belief

President
Michael de Dora

Vice President
Bani Dugal

unforb@gmail.com

The United Nations NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) 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 in by coordinating NGO activities in New York City 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.

http://www.unfrb.org/

NGO Committee on the Family

Co-Chairs
Florence Denmark (fdenmark@pace.edu)

Lynn Walsh (walshome2000@yahoo.com)

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 the betterment of 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.

http://www.ngofamily-ny.org

NGO Committee on Sustainable Tourism and Sport (due for reconstitution, renaming with a new purpose)

Contact

Richard Jordan (dpiconference@yahoo.com)

NGO Committee on Sustainable Development

Co-Chairs: Margo LaZaro & Yvonne O’Neal

ABOUT:

The purpose of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development 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 Earth Summit, the MDGs, the SDGs, Rio+20 and the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda. We seek to be knowledgeable about sustainable development issues under discussion or expected to be discussed by the United Nations. We focus attention and promote the programs of the United Nations on Sustainable Development for the Post-2015 Agenda, working closely with relevant UN commissions and agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat), UNDP, UNDESA, UN Women, UNPFA, and UNODA and promote and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the dissemination of information on sustainable development issues within the NGO community and to 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, indigenous leaders, members of the private sector and sustainable development experts in energy, water, climate change, and infrastructure to bring about collaborations that foster innovative solutions for sustainable development, social impact initiatives and gender equality issues.

“TURN YOUR PASSIONS INTO ACTIONS FOR CHANGE”

www.ngocsd-ny.org

NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns

Chair
Genie Kagawa (geniekagawa@yahoo.com)

Vice Chair
Swami Parameshananda (swparameshananda@hotmail.com)

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 which 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 of 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 as reflected in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In order 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. We believe that an 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.

www.csvgc-ny.org

NGO Committee on Social Development

Daniel Perell – the CSocD Chair

Eileen Reilly as Vice Chair

The NGO Committee for Social Development is dedicated to raising awareness and holding discussions on social development issues taken up by the United Nations (UN) System and in particular by the UN Commission for Social Development. The Committee also advocates on social development issues in other forums such as the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, Commission on the Status of Women, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and 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.

www.ngosocdev.net

NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs

The New York NGO Committee on Drugs (NYNGOC) provides a platform for discussion of drugs and drug-related subjects and interfaces with the United Nations (UN) to collaborate on solutions to global drug problems. Created in 1984, the NYNGOC aims to support civil society organizations in engaging with the UN system on international drug policy and practice, facilitating the exchange of information between civil society organizations and UN agencies, member states, and other relevant UN bodies.

For more information, please consult out website: http://nyngoc.org

Heather Haase
Chair, New York NGO Committee on Drugs

NGO Committee on Migration

Chair
Mary Jo Toll maryjotto@snd1.org)

Vice Chair
Emeka Obiezu augustiniansint@gmail.com)

The mandate of the NGO Committee on Migration, which serves as an umbrella organization for more than thirty NGO’s, most with branches worldwide, is to promote and encourage the human rights of immigrants and their families, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. Our NGO Committee was formed in 2006, in recognition of our contributions to the preparation of the High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development at the United Nations in September 2006. Subsequently, we have been actively involved in the preparation for, and participation in, the Civil Society events since our founding. Our experience with the New York University Students led other universities to express interest in developing similar learning programs with us.Furthermore, the Committee has participated in meetings of various international organizations in the field of Migration i.e. IOM and UNITAR. At the same time, the Committee is in touch with various UN missions and members travelling abroad to publicize our work and to motivate people to join us.

www.ngo-migration.org

NGO Committee on Mental Health

Chair

Georgi Antar (mentalhealthngo@optonline.net)

Vice Chair
Vivian Pender (vivian.pender@gmail.com)

The NGO Committee on Mental Health was established in 1996 under the auspices of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO) in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. 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. 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.

www.mentalhealthngo.org

NGO Committee on Human Settlements

Chair

Branislava Saveljic Balac (brankabalac@yahoo.com)

Our objective is to monitor collectively, and through our respective organizations, the implementation of commitments set forth in the Habitat Agenda of the Conference on Human Settlements, and Agenda 21 of the Conference on the Environment and Development and relevant elements from plans of action or other United Nations conferences 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. 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 major issues that affect human settlements, to 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 the field of human settlements.

www.ngochs.org

NGO Committee on Human Rights

Chair
Bruce Knotts (bknotts@uua.org)

Vice Chair
Bobbi Nassar (bobbinassar@yahoo.com)

NGO Committee on HIV/AIDs

Chair
Thomas Brennan (tombrennan@gmail.com)

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 epidemic; 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 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 and supplements the activities of other NGO Committees at the UN working 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 Least Developed Countries to provide low cost antiretroviral medicine, working with representatives from UNAIDs and civil society.

NGO Committee on Financing for Development

Chair
Daniel LeBlanc (dlkomifi@yahoo.com)

Vice Chair
Cheryl Morrissey (cmorrissey3@optonline.net)

The NGO Committee on Financing for Development at the United Nations advocates for a worldwide economy that is environmentally and socially sustainable, ethical, and people-centered. Guided by the 2002 Monterrey Consensus, we urge policymakers to support development strategies that end global poverty and advance human rights. We seek international financial systems that are fair and truly representative of all people. We are motivated by the moral imperatives underlying the United Nations Charter and the missions of the organizations we represent.

www.ngosonffd.org

NGO Committee on Education, Learning and Literacy

Chair:	George Platsis (ngocell.chair@gmail.com)
Vice-Chair for Education:	Vacant
Vice-Chair for Learning:	Dr. Holly Shaw
Vice-Chair for Literacy:	Bryan Ardouny
Secretary:	Jerry Price
Treasurer:	Dr. Donna-Akilah Wright
Member-at-large:	Dr. Harold Takooshian
Member-at-large:	Dr. Gerald Cattaro
Member-at-large:	Sofia Rosenberg-Klainberg

Because education is a crosscutting issue, the challenge of the committee is to participate in a substantive way in UN meetings and areas of work. Our committee continues to seek ways to work more closely with other CONGO Committees with respect to their education work, and to participate in UN Commissions and other meetings. The main focus of the committee continues to be the work with UNESCO’s New York Office in Education for Sustainable Development. The new added focus concerns the leadership formation and training of CoNGO leaders and members in areas of good governance in the context of civil society work in multilateral settings.

Donna-Akilah

NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security

President
Bruce Knotts (bknotts@uua.org)

Vice President

Elizabeth Begley

The NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security facilitates the participation of NGOs in formal disarmament meetings at the UN, 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 main liaison between the NGO community and the UN Secretariat, and 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.

www.disarm.igc.org

NGO Committee on Children’s Rights

Co-Chairs:

Margaretha Jones, Co-Chair

e-mail marjones@nyc.rr.com

phone + 212-662-8749

Therese Folkes Plair

phone + 914-441-0340

e-mail tfpisc@hotmail.com

The NGO Committee on Children’s Rights focuses its efforts on developing cooperative ways to work within the UN system generally and with UNICEF in particular to participate and support efforts at all levels towards the effective, and integrated, implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Committee works in cooperation with a similar committee located in and focused on events within the UN system in Geneva, most particularly the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

NGO Committee on Ageing

Chair: Janet A. Sigal

Vice-Chair: Cynthia Stuen

Treasurer: Katie Weiss

Recording Secretary: Kathy Kline

Corresponding Secretary: Martha Bial

Members at Large:

Bethany Brown

Erica Dhar

Jack Kupferman

Peter Walker

Frances Zainoeddin

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.

Website

www.ngocoa-ny.org

NGO Committee on Africa

(inactive)

NGO Alliance on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

Chair
Afaf Mahfouz (afafmahfouz@gmail.com)

Vice Chair
Karen Judd Smith (prevention@pcjalliance.org)

The Alliance is dedicated to crime prevention and the improvement of criminal justice. It promotes humane policies that foster the development of effective and transparent crime prevention and criminal justice strategies and practices domestically, regionally and globally. It encourages international cooperation and multidisciplinary approaches; advocates respect for the dignity and rights of victims of crime and abuse of power, and of those in conflict with the law, and advance the protection and restoration of the well-being of all persons and communities affected by crime. Our Prevention, Victims, Restorative Justice and Crime Congress working parties report, initiate and organize events and contributions in relevant settings, e.g., the UN – locally and globally, academic and other institutions. Alliance Members are non-governmental organizations having consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (EOSOC) that have a substantial interest in various aspects of crime prevention, criminal justice administration and the treatment of offenders. Other NGOs not in consultative status with UN bodies but actively dedicated to the prevention of crime and to improvements in criminal justice may be admitted into membership. NGOs interested can apply formembership online.

www.cpcjalliance.org

Vienna Committees on...

NGO Committee on Sustainable Development

Chair
Uwe Schubert (uhschubert@gmail.com)

NGO Committee on Status of Women

Chair:
Martina Gredler (Soroptomists) email : ngocswvienna@gmail.com

1st Vice Chair:
Evelyn Durmayer (International Association of Democratic Lawyers) email:ngocswvienna@gmail.com

2nd Vice Chair:
Ilona Graenitz (SocialistWomen International) email:ngocswvienna@gmail.com

Treasurer:
Ingeborg Geyer (Zonta) email:ngocswvienna@gmail.com

Secretary:
Laurie Richardson (Fawco) email:ngocswvienna@gmail.com

The Vienna NGO Committee on the Status of Women accredited at the United Nations Office in Vienna was founded in 1982 and works on a voluntary basis on the national and international level. The committee is comprised of 40 international organizations with a focus on women’s issues. The Committee’s main purpose is to facilitate the activities of its member organisations in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women both among these member organisations and in relation to the UN Division for the Advancement of Women. It acts as a forum for the exchange of information and views on matters of common interest and co-ordinates the drafting of joint statements to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Its three goals are: Following the work of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and submission of statements to its sessions, dissemination of related documents, as well as following meetings of the Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women; Following the work of Vienna based UN Commissions and Agencies and submission of statements to respective sessions, dissemination of related documents; Dissemination of information on the Convention of Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Platform for Action, etc.

NGO Committee on Peace

Chair
Klaus Renolder (neo@wvnet.at)
Tel: +43 2988 6236

Vice Chair Laura Videla

This Committee is a forum for exchange of information and views on peace issues among NGO representatives and facilitates contacts with various departments of the UN, its specialized agencies in Vienna and with UN related international activities. Representatives of 25 NGOs take part regularly in the activities of the Committee. Representatives of other international and national NGOs are invited to participate in the Committees information and discussion meetings when matters of interest to them are on the agenda. The Committee meets at Vienna International Centre, the UN office building in Vienna. Main subject areas discussed by the Committee were: arms control and disarmament, tasks and further development of the UN, peace education. Recent meetings were devoted, inter alia, to: looking at the year 2000 NPT Review Conference; proposals for a peaceful solution in former Yugoslavia; the non-aligned movement initiatives for conflict settlement and disarmament; the negotiations on the adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe; the efforts to ban anti-personnel land mines.

NGO Committee on Outer Space

The aim of the Committee is to provide a conduit between the NGOs who are interested in applications of space technology and space science and exploration, the United Nations Organization and the space community. The Committee is a forum that draws attention to the potential of space technology applications to areas of interest to NGOs, including e.g. scientific research and exploration, sustainable development, resource management, human development and security; facilitates relations between NGOs and providers of space-based services; exchanges experience in applying space technology to a wide range of Earth bound activities; and informs committee members of the impact of any relevant United Nations actions on outer space related activities.

NGO Committee on Family

Chair
Roswitha Roth

www.viennafamilycommittee.org

NGO Committee on Ageing

Chair:

Gertraud Dayé, Chair

gertraud.daye@aon.at

Vice Chair:
Ulrike Waginger
Ulrike.waginger@univie.ac.at
Dirk Jarré

Secretary:
Christa Kirchmair

Treasurer:
Gertraud Pichler

The NGO Committee on Ageing is promoting the three priorities of the Madrid International Action Plan on Ageing – participation of older people in all relevant politics and awareness raising; advancing health and wellbeing into old age; and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. The Committee’s main focus is laid on the “universal design”/”design for all”/”inclusive design” concept to increase implementation of accessibility within all premises, buildings and living homes, but also in accessible public transport, products and services to meet the needs and requirements of the ageing society and families in connection with the diversities during the whole life cycle from young to old age.

Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice *

*Vienna NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs

Chair
Michel Perron

Our committee provides a vital link between NGOs and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)/ Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). Initially created in 1983, the objective of the Committee is to support the work of the UNODC, provide information on NGO activities and involve a wide sector of civil society in raising awareness of global drug policies. For more information, please consult out website www.vngoc.org.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-of-NGOs-on-Crime-Prevention-Criminal-Justice/200101710121409