Photo via Greenpeace International
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Why should The Observer exist at Fordham? Or the Mock Trial club? Or the Campus Activities Board? While universities can function without student organizations, they are incredible opportunities for tackling campus-wide problems and creating advancements within the community.
Similarly, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are not absolutely necessary for the world to function. However, they are immensely important for creating change and advancing research on issues that are plaguing the world today. NGOs are vital for the continuation of human rights efforts throughout the world.
Although the United Nations member states play a pivotal role in creating global change and managing social order, integrating NGOs in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) decision-making could help address global inequalities more effectively. Through the multifaceted perspectives of these organizations, as well as the on-the-ground experience they exhibit, this proposal can be a plausible solution to addressing global inequalities.
ECOSOC’s main purpose is to encourage “higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress.” This body of the UN is responsible for “identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Historically, NGOs have heavily contributed to the aims of the United Nations. According to Duke University Libraries, “NGOs interact with the UN Secretariat, programs, funds, agencies, and the UN Member States.” They also help the UN raise awareness for pressing global issues, create joint operational projects, disseminate information, and even support the UN with their technical expertise.
The United Nations honors the research of NGOs and integrates their perspectives in both research and their operations, as seen in their collaboration with Greenpeace International and Zonta International. Both of these organizations have General Consultative Status with ECOSOC. This form of accreditation is the highest that the United Nations can give NGOs. It is granted to non-governmental organizations that are significant and specialize in most of the ECOSOC’s spheres of activities.
NGOs who have obtained General Consultative Status with ECOSOC possess privileges such as “UN grounds passes for their representatives, and the ability to physically enter conference rooms, and interact with diplomats and UN staff.” Additionally, they are able to “participate formally in UN meetings” and “network with like-minded NGOs at critical moments, which can contribute to effective joint cross-regional advocacy positions and lobbying activities.”
Although they can directly observe the discussions around policy issues, they are not allowed to formally negotiate or vote on policies. This limits their power to make changes in humanitarian issues, as the power solely goes to member states and the council.
Greenpeace International is a non-governmental organization that specializes in environmental justice and security. They have had General Consultative Status since 1988. Greenpeace operates on all continents and oceans, and, since its founding in 1971, it has had an abundance of successes in its efforts to lobby and hold both corporations and governments accountable. For example, in March 2015, a top retailer, Aldi, committed “to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from its textile products by 2020, after a Greenpeace campaign.” Additionally, on May 2o20, Greenpeace Indonesia won “a Supreme Court ruling against the Ministry of Agraria and Spatial Planning, regarding transparency and publication of ownership data of palm oil plantations.”
Greenpeace has worked in advocating and lobbying in various sectors, such as agriculture, oceans, toxics, climate, and many more. Their main aim to improve the environment goes beyond climate change, and their international reach in their efforts leads to more impactful results.
Meanwhile, Zonta International is an NGO that specializes in women’s rights. This organization has had General Consultative Status since 1969. They “advocate for equality, education and an end to child marriage and gender-based violence.”
Zonta International also works on initiatives regarding economic empowerment and climate change, and has collaborated with U.N. agencies such as UNICEF USA and UNFPA. Throughout their history as an organization, they “provided more than US$50.9 million” for the welfare of women internationally.
Both Greenpeace International and Zonta International have contributed immensely to the world and have the opportunity to participate in ECOSOC meetings where they can help resolve humanitarian issues. However, without decision-making power, there is only so much that they can do, even though they have extensive knowledge and experience in global issues.
Although ECOSOC has the necessary resources for a broad analysis of humanitarian issues, it is necessary for a specialized perspective to hone in on the steps necessary to encourage change. Therefore, integrating NGOs in ECOSOC decision-making could revolutionize the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian efforts pursued by this UN body. NGOs, particularly those who have been granted General Consultative Status, have experience solving global issues and understand the processes taken by ECOSOC when making decisions. Their multifaceted perspectives and operational experience can supplement the UN when progressing decision-making initiatives.
The main tool that NGOs can offer ECOSOC’s decision-making is their multifaceted perspective. NGOs are designed to represent the interests of vulnerable groups and humanitarian challenges. They specialize in researching specific issues and coordinating efforts to question the accountability of those who dismiss human rights concerns.
NGOs are notably dedicated to doing anything in their power to ensure that their respective issues are solved. “Governments are very often able to shirk their obligations under the international treaties…because the impact of their policies is simply not known to the general public.” Consequently, “Collecting such information and using it to promote transparency in the human rights record of governments is essential in holding them to account and is frequently used by NGOs.”
Further, non-governmental organizations provide another perspective to society, as they provide a tangible plan for action without the hindrance of political and economic agendas, unlike corporations and national governments. They are independent bodies that are not associated with politics. Therefore, they are unbiased when it comes to focusing on the issues themselves.
An example of this unique perspective is when Greenpeace International pressured “the governor of the Trans-Baikal region of Siberia” to ban “all ‘controlled’ burning of forested areas.” The region is home to an immense quantity of forest fires, which previously engulfed about 90,000 hectares.
Governments also often prioritize economic benefits, leading to challenges for the environment as well as their constituents. However, NGOs like Greenpeace do not have political or economic interests, so they are frank in their intentions to create initiatives.
Another reason why NGOs should be involved in ECOSOC decision-making is because they possess tactical experience that can only be gained by on-the-ground experience. Rather than solely creating proposals, they work with governments and civil society to aid in building communities and providing relief. For example, Zonta International awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to women who receive educational support. The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is a resource that funds “up to 30 Fellowships of US$10,000 each year to talented women pursuing advanced studies in aerospace engineering and space sciences.” This initiative can support women in excelling in male-dominated fields with the necessary resources.
As stated previously, because NGOs have first-hand experience in solving humanitarian issues, they know what resources and steps are needed to advance initiatives. Furthermore, they can explain how much money is necessary for allocating budgets or what regions to tackle first. NGOs can also elaborate on what barriers can be faced, as well as what steps are needed to resolve them, as they have on-the-ground exposure. Overall, they can help ECOSOC provide accurate decisions when voting for policy changes and steps to combat humanitarian issues.
In short, non-governmental organizations are a necessary part of society, bringing humanitarian assistance to populations in need. They initiate efforts to preserve our environment, protect needy populations, and assist in technological development; they have proven to be a valuable asset to ECOSOC through multiple collaborative efforts with the U.N. However, through the power of being involved in decision-making, they can advance their existing work and put their research, perspective, and experience into action.
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This article was edited by Sofia Roshan Hope Gellada.
