NY, USA, July 2010

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), at its Substantive Session of July 2010, adopted the recommendation of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), to grant Special Consultative Status to "International Commission on Workforce Development". This status opens the door for ICWFD to actively engage with the ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies and to actively participate in the work of the Council which will allow ICWFD to consult with Member States and the UN system and effectively implement the provisions of the consultative relationship.

Non-governmental, non-profit public or voluntary organizations may be admitted into a mutually beneficial working relationship with the United Nations by attaining consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This status is based on Article 71 of the Charter of the United Nations and on ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31 adopted in 1996. The rights and privileges enumerated in detail in ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, enable qualifying organizations to make a contribution to the work programmes and goals of the United Nations by serving as technical experts, advisers and consultants to governments and Secretariat. Sometimes, as advocacy groups, they espouse UN themes, implementing plans of action, programmes and declarations adopted by the United Nations. In concrete terms this entails their participation in ECOSOC and its various subsidiary bodies through attendance at these meetings, and also through oral interventions and written statements on agenda items of those bodies. In addition, organizations, qualifying for General Category consultative status, may propose new items for consideration by the ECOSOC. Organizations granted status are also invited to attend international conferences called by the U.N., General Assembly special sessions, and other intergovernmental bodies. (The participation modalities for NGOs are governed by the rules of procedure of those bodies).