The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Simulation
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are recognized in Article 71 of the UN Charter as consultative bodies in relationship to ECOSOC. These organizations also maintain a close working relationship with almost all ECOSOC funds and programs, specialized agencies, General Assembly committees, and regional organizations. In this role, NGOs are an invaluable resource to the UN system because they provide information on political, economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural developments in all parts of the
world. Their recommendations may address potential solutions to global problems, speak to specific country or regional needs, or call attention to an emerging crisis.
NGOs are a crucial link between policy-makers and the individuals directly affected by those policies. They represent civil society and its impact on the UN system. There are two primary advantages NGOs have over the UN in terms of information gathering and program implementation. First, NGOs are often locally based and have better knowledge of regional conditions, needs, and constraints. Second, NGOs may find it easier to gain the acceptance, trust and cooperation of the communities in which they
work because they are more aware of the indigenous cultural climate than many intergovernmental organizations. If the UN attempted to gather independently all of the information available to NGOs, it would consume vast amounts of time and scarce financial resources that are better applied to actual programs.
The global summit process that characterizes much of the UN’s work in the 1990s has brought new attention to NGOs. At the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, participation in the NGO forum surpassed all previous records. Although they were not invited to formally participate in negotiations, the massive NGO presence indicated recognition of their importance by conference organizers. In 1993, at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the NGO forum took place in the same building as the
official meetings. This increased access to the proceedings brought NGOs to a new level of integration in global summits. At later conferences, such as the Cairo Conference on Population and Development, the Copenhagen World Summit on Social Development, the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, and Habitat II in Istanbul, NGO forums grew in numbers as well as in their abilities to contribute substantively. As the international community continues to review Conferences of the past ten years,
it is apparent that the influence of NGOs will set a new precedent for the incorporation of civil society into UN activity at the global level.
NGOs at the National Model United Nations Conference
Over the past several years, the NMUN has integrated the presence of NGOs into committees at the conference. It is an ongoing project that improves the educational quality of the simulation and mirrors developments in the UN itself, where NGOs are gaining both visibility and respect as a resource for program design and implementation. A large number of delegates will take on the challenging task of representing NGO delegations this year.
NGO delegations maintain all of the privileges accorded to traditional country delegations, and are required to exhibit the same level of preparedness. NGO delegations are eligible for awards, based on the same criteria as country delegations, and may select head delegates to attend the Head Delegate Meetings each night. NGO representatives are also required to submit position papers reflecting the perspectives and priorities of their assigned NGO on the agenda topics at hand.
All delegates should take the role of NGOs very seriously. NGO representatives must be prepared to fully participate in all committee activities, including formal debate, caucusing and drafting working papers. In turn, Member State delegates must be prepared to engage NGO delegates in these activities. Mutual recognition and respect between NGO and country delegates is necessary to a successful conference experience.
NGO delegates maintain the following privileges in each committee to which they are assigned:
1. the right to make any procedural motion;
2. the right to vote on all procedural motions;
3. the right to speak before all assigned committees; and
4. the right to act as a signatory on working papers.
Please note that NGO delegates do not have substantive voting rights, and may not sponsor working papers.
In order to ensure a positive educational experience for all delegates, these rights and privileges may not exactly reflect those granted by ECOSOC. Any alterations made by the Director General gave due consideration to existing realities and the need to provide a learning environment that encourages active participation.
Country delegates are fully expected to work with NGO delegates in the spirit of collaboration upon which the UN was founded. The exclusion of NGOs from committee work simply because they do not have substantive voting rights is both unrealistic and unprofessional. In almost all cases, actions denigrating the participation of NGOs will be considered extraordinarily out of character and be noted in awards consideration. NGOs are expert organizations in their respective fields that possess specialized
knowledge of the subject matter at hand. The recommendations of NGO delegates maintain the same validity as those of Member States, and it is incumbent upon country delegates to ensure that those perspectives are recognized.
How to Prepare as an NGO Delegation
As an NGO delegation, your preparation should be structured in the same way as a typical country delegation. The most basic pieces of this process include fundamental knowledge of the organization and of the agenda topics. Based on your research, you will decide how your assigned NGO will approach each topic, and the recommendations you will make for potential solutions. This includes identifying blocs of countries and other NGOs that may share the same perspectives and priorities and collaborate
with you in committee sessions.
NMUN Resources: In this background guide, each agenda topic contains a section specific to NGO action. This will provide you with basic information on the general role of NGOs in that topic area. These sections may not specifically address your assigned NGO, but will provide a broad discussion of relevant NGO activities. You should not hesitate to contact the main office of your assigned NGO during the course of your preparations. In addition, you should arrange a mission briefing with the UN
Liaison Office in New York City of the NGO you are representing. If you need assistance in arranging this briefing, visit the NMUN Web site at www.nmun.org or contact Christine Richmond, Assistant Secretary-General for Internal Affairs at asg.internal@nmun.org.
Doing Research: Much of your research will likely rely on Internet resources. Because most NGOs do not have expansive budgets that allow for the widespread reproduction and dissemination of their written materials and reports, they choose to publish such documents on their Web sites. If you have difficulty obtaining materials from these electronic sources, please contact your director, assistant director, departmental USG, or the Director General for assistance. The UN Web site, as well as the sites
for many of the specialized agencies, also contain valuable information about NGO activity. Finally, do not exclude traditional resources from your preparations. Newspapers, scholarly journals, and books will provide differing perspectives on your agenda topics, and may give interesting insight into the evolving role of NGOs.
Position Papers: NGO position papers should be constructed in the same fashion as traditional position papers. Each topic should be addressed briefly in a succinct policy statement representing the relevant views of your assigned NGO. You should also include recommendations for action to be taken by your committee. It will be judged using the same criteria as all country position papers, and is held to the same standard of timeliness.
The most critical part of a successful NGO delegate experience at the NMUN Conference is active participation in committee sessions. This includes utilizing the rules of procedure, speaking in formal debate and contributing during caucus sessions. Although you may not sponsor working papers or vote on draft resolutions, you have both the right and the obligation to participate in their composition and refinement. You may act as a signatory to any working paper on the floor of your committee if you
wish to illustrate your support for continued development of the document. Getting involved in the simulation is the best way to enhance your own educational experience and that of your fellow delegates.
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