an ncylc e-bulletin

Issue #1: June 2003

UN ACCREDITATION

In late February this year, the NCYLC signaled its intention to apply for accreditation with the UN. In the letter of intent to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Centre mentioned that it is preparing to make a significant contribution to the work of the UN by co-writing, with the Defence of Children International, a shadow report on the Australian government's compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC).

The Centre is applying for what is called "special accreditation". Special accreditation is granted to Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) that have "a special competence in a field of activity covered by the UN Economic and Social Committee". Obviously, the NCYLC's field of special competence is children and youth, especially with regards to the CROC.

The advantage of special accreditation for the Centre is that it could:

  • send representatives to the UN
  • attend meetings of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and
  • circulate statements at UN meetings.

The UN sees NGOs as a valuable resource to help monitor and implement international treaties. NGOs also provide the UN with expert analysis and help inform the UN about what is going on in their part of the world.

If granted special consultative status, the Centre will have to submit a brief report to the UN's NGO Committee every four years. This "quadrennial report" focuses on the Centre's contribution to the work of the United Nations.

The process of applying for accreditation is now underway. It involves collecting a lot of information about the NCYLC and what it does. That information needs to be complied and sent to the UN by 1 June 2003. The UN NGO Committee will then consider the application in 2004.

Michael Walton