Working with the UN System
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can participate in the work of the UN in one of two ways: either through consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), or association with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) (formerly DPI).
Consultative status with ECOSOC
Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council provides NGOs with access to not only ECOSOC, but also to its many subsidiary bodies, to the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, ad-hoc processes on small arms, as well as special events organized by the President of the General Assembly. There are three types of ECOSOC consultative status for NGOs. ECOSOC consultative status is separate and distinct from association with DGC.
Association with DGC
The Civil Society Unit of the UN Department of Global Communications (formerly DPI) is the link from the Organization to the approximately 1,500 Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) that are associated with the UN and support its efforts to disseminate information on the priority issues on its agenda, including sustainable development, creating a safer and more secure world, helping countries in transition, empowering women and young people, and addressing poverty, among others. NGOs associated with DGC help build knowledge and support for the Organization at the grassroots level.
NGLS
With the integration of the former Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) into the Department of Global Communications, the Civil Society Unit also provides strategic information, analysis and support to a wide range of constituencies, using its unique convening and networking capacity to strengthen multistakeholder dialogue and alliance-building on issues like culture and education, human rights, peace and security, environment, economic and social development, health, and population, all from the perspective of the entire UN system.
The UN Democracy Fund
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) was built to support projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations -- both in the transition and the consolidation phases of democratization.
The Integrated Civil Society Organizations (iCSO) System
The Integrated Civil Society Organizations System provides online registration of general profiles for civil society organizations, including address, contacts, activities and meeting participation. It facilitates the application procedure for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and assists accredited NGOs in submitting quadrennial reports and in designating representatives to the United Nations.
Academic Impact
Academic Impact is a global initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in actively supporting ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution.
United Nations University
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization headquartered in Japan. Its mission is to contribute, through collaborative research and education, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations, its peoples and Member States.