WCA and the United Nations
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Women's Caucus for Art has been a United Nations accredited NGO (non-governmental organization) since 1975. The International Caucus represents WCA as delegates to the UN DPI (Department of Public Information)/NGO section of the United Nations and develops connections with other NGOs in order to provide art platforms to engage conversation around priorities of UN Women and the United Nations as a whole.
This page is an overview of these goals and commonly asked questions about the UN and WCA's relationship to it.
FOCUS OF UN WOMEN
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. UN Women has its own Focus Areas
http://www.unwomen.org/focus-areas/
UN GOALS
As an UN-Accredited NGO, the WCA needs to have some projects each year that relate to UN Goals.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300
WHAT IS AN NGO?
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a not-for-profit, voluntary citizens’ group, which is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good and UN initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and UN Women Focus Areas. Some NGOS are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, the environment or health. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the UN system differs on their location and mandate. WCA is organized around women’s issues.
WHAT IS THE DPI?
Through associated NGOs, UN’s Department of Public Information (DPI) seeks to reach people around the world and help them better understand the work and aims of the United Nations. The DPI/NGO section is a liaison between the United Nations and NGOs and other civil society (not government or private sector) organizations. DPI organizesNGO briefings, communication workshops, an NGO conference held each year in September in a different world city, and an annual orientation program for newly NGOs and/or their delegates.
WHAT IS ECOSOC?
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for coordinating the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies.
The Council consults with civil society groups – including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and is the main body that recommends consultative status to NGO whose work covers issues on the agenda of ECOSOC. NGOs with consultative status (WCA does not currently have this) are allowed to participate, present written contribution and make statements to the Council and its subsidiary bodies, in other words, have more input in decision making processes. Link to more information about ECOSOC http://csonet.org/index.php?menu=17
CRITERIA FOR ASSOCIATION WITH DPI
EVALUATION, REVIEW AND THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS
NGOs undergo an annual evaluation, review and accreditation process data. In the WCA, the data for this process comes partly from the Art & Activism database of related national and/or chapter WCA projects. The International Caucus maintains and updates this database annually.
NGO responsibilities
In order to remain in good standing, NGOS associated with the DPI must fulfill each of the following requirements:
DPI/NGO responsibilities of the International Caucus
Accredited WCA representatives to the UN
Up to four members and up to two youth members (18-24 years of age) of an NGO may be named as accredited representatives and receive annual passes to participate in UN activities such as briefings and workshops. These names must be submitted during the annual evaluation, review and accreditation process.
The persons eligible are: the President/Chief Administrative Office of the NGO, the Main Representative (WCA International Caucus Chair), the Chair of WCA's International Caucus UN Program and one alternate representative (member from the WCA International Caucus chosen by the WCA International Caucus Chair and the Chair of the UN Program). The alternate representative role may rotates each calendar year; however it is desirable to have someone who can go to meetings at the UN when the subject matter to be discussed is relevant to WCA. An individual attending a UN meeting is expected to write a report on the meeting to brief the rest of the committee and to submit to the WCA newsletter, Facebook page, WCA International Blog and/or WCA International website. Expenses to attend and travel to the UN are borne by the individual.
WCA representatives to the UN DPI/NGO Annual Conference
Up to six adults plus two youth representatives (must be ages 18-24) may attend the annual DPI/NGO conference in early September. These generally include the WCA President and the WCA International Caucus Chair. However, any WCA InternationalCaucus member may attend up to the maximum number. These are chosen by the WCA International Caucus Chair and may rotate annually. If WCA is presenting a Workshop, we may be able to bring an additional member. Expenses to attend and travel to the UN DPI/NGO Conference are borne entirely by the attending individuals.
This page is an overview of these goals and commonly asked questions about the UN and WCA's relationship to it.
FOCUS OF UN WOMEN
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. UN Women has its own Focus Areas
http://www.unwomen.org/focus-areas/
- Violence Against Women
- Peace and Security -
- Leadership and Participation
- Economic Empowerment
- National Planning and Budgeting
- Human Rights
UN GOALS
As an UN-Accredited NGO, the WCA needs to have some projects each year that relate to UN Goals.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300
WHAT IS AN NGO?
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a not-for-profit, voluntary citizens’ group, which is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good and UN initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and UN Women Focus Areas. Some NGOS are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, the environment or health. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the UN system differs on their location and mandate. WCA is organized around women’s issues.
WHAT IS THE DPI?
Through associated NGOs, UN’s Department of Public Information (DPI) seeks to reach people around the world and help them better understand the work and aims of the United Nations. The DPI/NGO section is a liaison between the United Nations and NGOs and other civil society (not government or private sector) organizations. DPI organizesNGO briefings, communication workshops, an NGO conference held each year in September in a different world city, and an annual orientation program for newly NGOs and/or their delegates.
WHAT IS ECOSOC?
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for coordinating the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies.
The Council consults with civil society groups – including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and is the main body that recommends consultative status to NGO whose work covers issues on the agenda of ECOSOC. NGOs with consultative status (WCA does not currently have this) are allowed to participate, present written contribution and make statements to the Council and its subsidiary bodies, in other words, have more input in decision making processes. Link to more information about ECOSOC http://csonet.org/index.php?menu=17
CRITERIA FOR ASSOCIATION WITH DPI
- *The NGO must support and respect the principles of the Charter of the United Nations
- *The NGO must be of recognized national or international standing
- *The NGO should operate solely on a not-for-profit basis and have tax-exempt status.
- *The NGO must have the commitment and means to conduct effective information programs with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities by
- publishing newsletters, bulletins and pamphlets; organizing conferences, seminars and round tables; or enlisting the attention of media
- *The NGO should have statutes/bylaws providing for a transparent process of making decisions, elections of officers and members of the Board of Directors.
EVALUATION, REVIEW AND THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS
NGOs undergo an annual evaluation, review and accreditation process data. In the WCA, the data for this process comes partly from the Art & Activism database of related national and/or chapter WCA projects. The International Caucus maintains and updates this database annually.
NGO responsibilities
In order to remain in good standing, NGOS associated with the DPI must fulfill each of the following requirements:
- complete the evaluation and review form annually. It is important to update contact information (WCA office, WCA president, WCA International Caucus Chair and WCA International Caucus UN alternate representative)
- promote knowledge of the Untied Nations
- disseminate information about the principles and activities of the United Nations
- receive NGO Relations’ emails which are sent out to inform NGOs about United Nations activities. These are sent to the WCA International Caucus Chair.
DPI/NGO responsibilities of the International Caucus
- We will ensure WCA will remain an NGO in good standing with the UN DPI/NGO by filing the annual evaluation/review/accreditation form and meeting other stated requirements.
- We will represent WCA at NGO briefings (when appropriate) and the annual DPI/NGO conference.
- We will seek opportunities to expand WCA’s voice and presence with other DPI/NGO members from around the world by participating in workshops, panels and/or exhibitions at the United Nations and/or the annual DPI/NGO conference.
Accredited WCA representatives to the UN
Up to four members and up to two youth members (18-24 years of age) of an NGO may be named as accredited representatives and receive annual passes to participate in UN activities such as briefings and workshops. These names must be submitted during the annual evaluation, review and accreditation process.
The persons eligible are: the President/Chief Administrative Office of the NGO, the Main Representative (WCA International Caucus Chair), the Chair of WCA's International Caucus UN Program and one alternate representative (member from the WCA International Caucus chosen by the WCA International Caucus Chair and the Chair of the UN Program). The alternate representative role may rotates each calendar year; however it is desirable to have someone who can go to meetings at the UN when the subject matter to be discussed is relevant to WCA. An individual attending a UN meeting is expected to write a report on the meeting to brief the rest of the committee and to submit to the WCA newsletter, Facebook page, WCA International Blog and/or WCA International website. Expenses to attend and travel to the UN are borne by the individual.
WCA representatives to the UN DPI/NGO Annual Conference
Up to six adults plus two youth representatives (must be ages 18-24) may attend the annual DPI/NGO conference in early September. These generally include the WCA President and the WCA International Caucus Chair. However, any WCA InternationalCaucus member may attend up to the maximum number. These are chosen by the WCA International Caucus Chair and may rotate annually. If WCA is presenting a Workshop, we may be able to bring an additional member. Expenses to attend and travel to the UN DPI/NGO Conference are borne entirely by the attending individuals.