Summary: Plenary

Guest Speakers

The role of civil society organizations (CSOs) is key to achieving the Millennium Goals and improving services for people. The United Nations Joint Inspection Unit can assist CSOs in their endeavors. Moreover, volunteers through CSOs are more vital than ever before for reaching underserved communities.

Kevin Gilroy, Senior Manager of the UN Volunteers (UNV): "Volunteers—a key part of civil society—connect local people to governments, the United Nations, and other institutions which provide services. Such connections are vital in achieving the millennium goals."

All three guest speakers praised and endorsed the inclusion of civil society organizations (CSOs) as viable partners to work with the United Nations system.

HE Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, congratulated the conveners on organizing this first World Civil Society Forum, stressing the importance of connecting CSOs to governments. She cited the participation of CSOs in the 2001 World Conference Against Racism (WCAR), which took place in Durban, as an example of CSOs establishing practical steps toward involvement. The follow-up activities to the conference, moreover, signal a new approach to problem-solving. HE Robinson emphasized that CSOs provide new spaces for dialogue and exchange. She said that such interchanges between CSOs, governments and the United Nations would help achieve the Millennium Goals and that working together to search for solutions was vital.

HE Francisco Mezzalama, UN Inspector of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), introduced the role of his office and its ability to assist CSOs. Appointed by the General Assembly, the JIU is an independent oversight body that inspects and evaluates the full spectrum of UN activities. Open to new challenges, the JIU can help CSOs become better organized and ensure that their voices be heard. HE Mezzalama recalled that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called on the international community to organize in mobilizing all sectors of society. Common problems relating to the environment, poverty, human rights, gender issues, and others can be solved more efficiently and effectively in unity rather than in isolation. He further pointed out that CSOs -which include religious organizations, academic groups, village associations and more- may not be registered with the United Nations. Nevertheless, as CSOs diversify and become more organized, their efforts are being increasingly recognized by the UNDP, WHO, ILO, UNCTAD, and other UN organizations. Therefore, involving and training CSOs at all levels is key to helping them grow.

Mr. Kevin Gilroy, Senior Manager of the UN Volunteers (UNV) and representing Sharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Coordinator of UNV, described the significance of volunteers to both civil society and the UN system. He added that volunteerism as a development concept must be promoted. During the International Year of Volunteers (IYV 2001), some 5,000 volunteers served in 140 countries through UNV -a great achievement as international institutions are not always accessible to ordinary citizens. A specific example of the power of volunteerism is the role that 10 million volunteers played in India when vaccinating 550 million children against polio. The total value of that contribution exceeded 10 billion dollars. Without such volunteer contributions, the UN's efforts would be diminished. Volunteers -a key part of civil society- connect local people to governments, the United Nations, and other institutions which provide services. Such connections are vital in achieving the Millennium Goals.

Conclusions 
CSOs and volunteers are vital to ensuring that governments and the United Nations system access and assist all people in the world.

Presenters' Documents Available

16.01_capeling-alakija_unv.doc (106 K)
16.01_mezzalama_francesco.doc (100 K)
16.01_robinson_mary.doc (85 K)

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