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Resource Centre
The DPI/NGO Resource Centre is a unique space to learn, meet and network at the United Nations.
Visit us
Located at the UNITAR Building at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Resource Centre address is:
- 801 First Avenue, UNITAR Building, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Hours
Monday – Wednesday : 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday: 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Get connected
We offer many services for NGOs:
- Access to computers connected to the Internet
- Database with comprehensive information on each DPI-associated NGO.
- Conference room for up to 30 people can be reserved by DPI-associated NGOs. Please submit your reservation request at least 48 hours in advance.
- Digital library with access to almost all the electronic versions of UN documents as well as audio-visual material in electronic format, including the UNTV produced series 21st Century, UN in Action and other films produced by the United Nations Television or UN Agencies and Programmes.
- Up-to-date United Nations materials and publications such as copies of the latest briefing calendar, UN Daily Journal, UN Spokesman’s Daily Highlights, etc.
Tickets:
- the annual General Debate of the UN General Assembly
- concerts sponsored by DPI and Member States
Invitations to / announcements:
- activities relevant to the work of the NGO community;
Guest passes:
- the DPI/NGO Thursday Briefings, when necessary
DPI/NGO Brochure
Working Together: Making a Difference
“With the passage of time, the relationship between DPI and NGOs has grown stronger and more important; Member States continue to recognize the benefits of NGO participation locally, regionally and internationally, and have expressed their willingness to assist and accommodate the work of NGOs as reflected in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. Since then, NGO global involvement in international issues, consultations, policy making and conferences is much more visible, accepted and recognized” (Continue Reading)
Important Documents & Fact Sheets
Here you will find important UN documents that will facilitate your work with DPI. Please visit this section often as we update it regularly.
Online Publication Library for NGOs & Civil Society * = Publication is available in hard copy at the United Nations NGO Resource Centre in New York. B=book…
The importance of working with and through NGOs as an integral part of United Nations information activities was recognized when the Department of Public Information was first established in 1946. The General Assembly, in its resolution 13 (I), instructed DPI and its branch offices to:
“…actively assist and encourage national information services, educational institutions and other governmental and non-governmental organizations of all kinds interested in spreading information about the United Nations. For this and other purposes, it should operate a fully equipped reference service, brief or supply lecturers, and make available its publications, documentary films, film strips, posters and other exhibits for use by these agencies and organizations.”
In 1968, the Economic and Social Council, by Resolution 1297 (XLIV) of 27 May, called on DPI to associate NGOs, bearing in mind the letter and spirit of its Resolution 1296 (XLIV) of 23 May 1968, which stated that an NGO “…shall undertake to support the work of the United Nations and to promote knowledge of its principles and activities, in accordance with its own aims and purposes and the nature and scope of its competence and activities”.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most popular questions you have asked us. If you do not see answers to your questions here or have additional enquiries please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
• Where and to whom should I address general queries?
For general enquiries please use the form in the Contact Us section of this website and select General in the subject tab.
• Where can I obtain a directory of all DPI-Associated NGOs?
Use the Directory link provided in the Membership page to retrieve a full directory of DPI-Associated NGOs. Additionally, you can search by category and create lists of DPI-Associated NGOs by country, region, field of work, ECOSOC Consultative Status, as well as several other options.
• My NGO is organizing an event. Can we use the UN emblem?
No. NGOs (including those associated with DPI and or in consultative status with ECOSOC) are not allowed to use the UN emblem in connection with their activities. However, under guidelines provided by the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) there are certain conditions under which a modified version of the UN emblem may be authorized; for example, specific events, organized by an NGO associated with DPI, such as a conference on issues relating to the UN. Such permission, if granted, would be limited to the event in question and would therefore have a limited duration.
The conditions for use of a modified UN emblem would be provided in a letter by the Office of Legal Affairs, including the duration, size and manner of placement of the modified UN emblem.
Requests to use the modified emblem should be addressed to:
Director, General Legal Division,
Office of Legal Affairs,
Room M13019, United Nations,
New York, NY 10017- USA
Unauthorized use of the UN logo may be grounds for disassociation.
Looking for the rules which govern the use of the UN emblem on documents and publications? Visit http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/maplib/flag.htm
• How do I apply for an internship with the NGO Relations Cluster or other areas in the UN?
All candidates interested in becoming interns must apply for internships through a system known as Inspira. To apply for an internship job opening interested applicants must complete an on-line personal history profile (PHP) in Inspira. Applicants, at the time of application and during the internship period must be enrolled in a graduate programme (second university degree or higher). More details on what makes you eligible to apply can be found on careers.un.org under the subject title “Internship Programme”
• How can we order a specific publication?
To request a specific publication please fill out the contact us form, selecting General Enquiries and indicating in the body of your message the name of requested publication, or call +1 212 963 7233 for more information.
• Are the briefings open to the public?
No they are not. The Thursday Briefings are open to members of the NGO community either those associated with the Department of Public Information or in Consultative Status with ECOSOC. NGOs may bring guests unless otherwise indicated in the weekly Thursday Briefing Invite sent online to NGOs each Friday. The Invite contains background information on the topic being discussed.
• How do I get guest passes for the Thursday briefings?
You need to request guest passes in writing at least 48 hours in advance. A letter must be written on your organization’s letterhead and addressed to the DPI/NGO Resource Centre. We will send you an e-mail confirming that we have received and approved/decline your request. Guests will be able to pick up their passes on the day of the Briefing at the entrance to the UN complex in New York. Please visit our website regularly as we publish there the most updated information available on the location of the Briefings. For Thursday Briefings held outside the UN premises, guest passes are not required.
• I want to submit my Annual Review but I do not know if my organization has a profile in the CSO Net. How can I find out if my organization has one, and if so, where can I obtain the login information to access it?
All DPI-Associated NGOs have an active profile in the CSO Net. You can request your username and password by visiting the CSO Net page and selecting the option “Request username/password for CSOs, including NGOs”. An e-mail with your user name and password will be sent to the electronic address of your NGO which you have provided.
• My organization has consultative status with ECOSOC. Do we still need to submit the Annual Review?
Yes. All DPI-Associated NGOs must submit an Annual Review, regardless of whether or not they have Consultative Status with ECOSOC.
• Who can participate in the Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference?
All NGOs may participate in the annual UN DPI/NGO Conference. NGOs associated with DPI and or in Consultative Status with ECOSOC are automatically eligible to register for the conference by virtue of their partnership status. Those NGOs which are not associated with DPI or in Consultative Status with ECOSOC will need an endorsement letter from the UN Agency or Programme co-sponsoring the Conference with DPI, or the United Nations Information Centre in the region where the headquarters of the NGO is located. For further information visit the official UN DPI/NGO Conference Website.
About us
“The opening words of the United Nations Charter are: `We, the Peoples of the United Nations.’ This is the clearest possible statement that the United Nations does not belong to States alone. […] We live in an era in which international affairs are no longer dominated by States as the sole actors. The participants include non-governmental organizations, national parliaments, private companies, the mass media, universities, intellectuals, artists, and every woman and every man who considers him or herself to be part of the great human family.”
Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Messina, Italy, April 1997
What is an NGO?
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens’ concerns to Governments, monitor policies and encourage political participation at the community level. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, the environment or health. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the United Nations System differs depending on their location and mandates.
Over 1,300 NGOs with strong information programmes on issues of concern to the United Nations are associated with the Department of Public Information (DPI), giving the United Nations valuable links to people around the world. DPI helps those NGOs gain access to and disseminate information about the range of issues in which the United Nations is involved, to enable the public to understand better the aims and objectives of the Organization.
How do NGOs and DPI cooperate?
The Department of Public Information and NGOs cooperate regularly. NGOs associated with DPI disseminate information about the UN to their membership, thereby building knowledge of and support for the Organization at the grassroots level. This dissemination includes, publicizing UN activities around the world on such issues as peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, humanitarian affairs and international law. Additionally, promote UN observances and international years established by the General Assembly to focus world attention on important issues facing humanity.
The NGO Relations Section within the Department of Public Information at the United Nations is the link with approximately 1,300 Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) who are partners and members in association with the Department of Public Information and support the UN efforts to disseminate information on the priority issues on its agenda, including sustainable development, creating a safer and more secure world, the importance of prevention, helping countries in transition, empowering women and young people, and addressing poverty, among others.
The Section is also responsible for:
- Facilitating the exchange of information and developing partnerships with civil society.
- Reaching out to civil society partners around the world and enhancing their interaction with, and understanding of, the work of the UN.
- Providing information to representatives of civil society about the UN, its agencies, funds and programmes and identifying opportunities for NGO support for the Organization at the international, regional, national and community levels.
- Organizing, in cooperation with the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, the host country, and other partners from the UN system, the Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference-the yearly premier NGO event which attracts some 1,500 NGO representatives from approximately 70 countries.
- 33 weekly NGO Briefings;
- Two one-day-long DPI/NGO Communications Workshops;
- A two-day Orientation Programme for new NGO representatives;
- A one-day Orientation Programme for Youth Representatives
- The maintenance of two websites.
DPI/NGO Resource Centre Publications
This list is of publications available in hard copy at the UN DPI/NGO Resource Centre and/or online. The list contains publications that are relevant to NGOs.
Check the full list of publications.
Our times demand a new definition of leadership - global leadership. They demand a new constellation of international cooperation - governments, civil society and the private sector, working together for a collective global good."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Speech at World Economic Forum
Davos, Switzerland (29 January 2009)
The United Nations is both a participant in and a witness to an increasingly global civil society. More and more, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society organizations (CSOs) are UN system partners and valuable UN links to civil society. CSOs play a key role at major United Nations Conferences and are indispensable partners for UN efforts at the country level. NGOs are consulted on UN policy and programme matters. The UN organizes and hosts, on a regular basis, briefings, meetings and conferences for NGO representatives who are accredited to UN offices, programmes and agencies. The NGO Section of the Department of Public Information oversees partnerships with associated NGOs and provides a wide range of information services to them. These include weekly NGO briefings, communication workshops, an annual NGO conference and an annual orientation programme for newly associated NGOs.
The UN Democracy Fund was established by the Secretary-General in July 2005 as a UN General Trust Fund. Supported by 36 Member States, its chief function is funding projects that strengthen the voice of civil society in democratic processes around the world. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations -- both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. Over 30,000 CSOs have established a relationship with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The vast majority of these CSOs are NGOs; there are also institutions, foundations, associations and over 1,000 Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) listed as CSOs with DESA - which maintains a database of registered CSOs.
Once registered with DESA, CSOs can also apply for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). If consultative status with ECOSOC is granted, the organization can participate in relevant international conferences convened by the United Nations and in meetings of the preparatory bodies of these conferences.
The Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) promotes dynamic partnerships between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. By providing information, advice, expertise and support services, NGLS is part of the UN's effort to strengthen dialogue and win public support for economic and social development.
The Secretary-General's Panel of Eminent Persons on Civil Society and UN Relationships, which concluded its work in 2004, produced a set of practical recommendations on how the UN's relationship with civil society, as well as with the private sector and parliaments, could be improved. The Panel issued its final report (A/58/817) in 2004.
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