NGO/474
25 June 2002

Ten Non-Governmental Organizations Approved for Association With Department of Public Information

NEW YORK, 24 June (UN Heaquarters) -- The Department of Public Information (DPI) Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) approved the association of 10 NGOs from seven countries on 12 June 2002. The newly associated organizations conform to the principles of the United Nations Charter, operate solely on a not-for-profit basis and demonstrate a long-standing involvement with United Nations issues. Most importantly, they have the information programme infrastructure in place to reach a broad audience about the work of the United Nations. This information dissemination capacity is a unique criterion for association with DPI.

The newly associated NGOs include one from Africa, one from Asia, four from North America, one from the Middle East and three from Western Europe. They represent a diverse range of interests, including ageing, education, human rights, women's issues, children's issues, peace and security, disaster mental health services, disarmament and mine clearance.

Some of the newly associated NGOs focus on programmes to promote education, tolerance and human rights. Art for the World (Switzerland) organizes cultural events, exhibits and symposia on such issues as peace, human rights and humanitarian affairs. Vital Voices Global Partnership (United States) concentrates on expanding women's roles in politics and civil society, fighting human rights abuses and promoting women's entrepreneurship. The Institute to Constitute Research and Talking Theoretical Studies (Iran) is dedicated to providing education and other services to blind persons.

Disaster Psychiatry Outreach (United States) provides disaster mental health services in coordination with government agencies and public, private and charitable organizations involved in disaster relief. The United Nations Association (UNA) of the Kyrgyz Republic raises public awareness on issues of regional security, human rights and sustainable development.

The Global Security Foundation (United States) works with citizens and policy makers to achieve incremental steps that enhance security and lead to the global elimination of nuclear weapons. The Humpty Dumpty Institute (United States) is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and the U.S. Congress.

Following are the organizations newly associated with DPI, listed alphabetically by region:

Africa: African Initiative on Ageing (Nigeria)

Asia: United Nations Association (UNA) of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

Middle East: Institute to Constitute Research and Talking Theoretical Studies (Iran)

North America: Disaster Psychiatry Outreach (United States); Global Security Foundation (United States); Humpty Dumpty Institute (United States); Vital Voices Global Partnership (United States).

Western Europe: Art for the World (Switzerland); Associazione Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondiale (Italy); International Volunteer Organization for Women, Education, Development (Italy).

The DPI Committee on NGOs also confirmed the association of five NGOs with consultative status with the Economic and Social Council: the Arab Institute for Human Rights (Tunisia); the Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood (United States); the International Association "Znanie" (Russian Federation); the Islamic Centre of England (United Kingdom); and the Society to Support Children Suffering from Cancer (Iran).

DPI restored associative status to three NGOs as a result of an ongoing review process. The NGOs re-associated are: the Foundation for Research on International Environment, National Development and Security (Pakistan) and INCORVUZ (Russian Federation). The total number of NGOs associated with DPI is now 1,380. A total of nineteen NGOs were considered for association.

For further information, please contact the DPI/NGO Section, telephone: (212) 963-6842, email: dpingo@un.org. The directory of NGOs associated with DPI is also available on the DPI/NGO web site http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/

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