United Nations Department of Public Information
It is not without any pride that Close the Gap’s team is delighted to announce that in 2010, the organisation was recognised as a member of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). This means, Close the Gap can from now on be considered an NGO recognised by the United Nations.
Indeed, the Committee of Non-governmental Organisations of the Department of Public Information met in June 2010 to consider the new applications from non-governmental organisations for association with the UN-DPI. Close the Gap was selected amongst several other worldwide organisations.
This association constitutes a commitment on the part of Close the Gap to disseminate information and raise public awareness about the purposes and activities of the UN. Indeed, associated NGOs are expected to focus a portion of their communication activities on the work of the UN. Also, Close the Gap is expected to keep the UN-DPI’s organisations informed of its activities.
The NGO Relations Cluster is the link to over 1,500 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) associated with the Department of Public Information and supports their efforts to interact effectively with the United Nations in their areas of expertise.
The Cluster is also responsible for facilitating the exchange of information and developing partnerships with civil society. It plays a coordinating role within the UN Secretariat to reach out to civil society partners around the world and enhance their interaction with, and understanding of, the work of the UN.
The Cluster proactively reaches out to representatives of civil society who seek information about the UN and look for opportunities to support the Organisation at the international, regional, national and community levels.
The annual UN DPI/NGO Conference is the NGO Relations Cluster’s premier event at the United Nations, attracting around 2,000 NGO representatives from approximately 70 countries.
In 2008, the conference was organised in partnership with UNESCO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Government of France to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was entitled Reaffirming Human Rights: the Universal Declaration at 60. In 2009 the conference was organised in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Government of Mexico, on the subjects of disarmament, international peace and development.
In 2011, the conference will occur in Germany (Bonn) and Close the Gap – as new member of this network – will attend the workshops and activities of this three days event.
Over the year, the Cluster sustains the partnership with the NGO community by providing:
• 33 weekly NGO Briefings;
• three-day-long DPI/NGO Communications Workshops;
• A two-day Orientation Programme for new NGO representatives;
• The NGO Resource Centre;
• The Annual Review of NGOs associated with DPI;
• A multifaceted NGO association and review process;
• The maintenance of two websites.
Currently, there are 1,588 NGOs with strong information programmes associated with DPI. In Belgium, only 26 organisations are members. In the Netherlands, 21 organisations are members and in France, 59.
More information : www.undpi.org and
www.un.org/wcm/content/site/dpingorelations/index.html