The Temple of Understanding is accredited through ECOSOC with Special consultative status. We are also accredited by the DPI.

 

What is ECOSOC?

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was established under the UN Charter as the principal entity to coordinate economic, social and related work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions.

What is Consultative Status with ECOSOC
Non-governmental organizations take a role in formal UN deliberations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which governs the status, rights and obligations of NGOs in consultative status. Consultative status is granted by ECOSOC upon recommendation of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs, which is comprised of 19 Member States.

Who is Eligible?
Consultative relationships may be established for international NOGs, provided they can demonstrate that their program of work is of direct relevance to the aims and purposes of the United Nations.

Definition of Status with ECOSOC:
There are three categories of status: General consultative status, Special consultative status and Roster status.

Special consultative status is granted to NGOs that have a special competence in, and are concerned specifically with, only a few of the fields of activity covered by the ECOSOC. These NGOs tend to be smaller and more recently established.

 

The DPI

Non-governmental organizations have been partners of the Department of Public Information (DPI) since its establishment in 1947. NGOs with effective information programs disseminate information about issues on the UN’s agenda and the work of the Organization. Through associated NGOs 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 part of the department’s Outreach Division and acts as its liaison between the United Nations and NGOs and other civil society organizations. It oversees partnerships with associated NGOs and provides a wide range of information services to them. These include weekly NGO briefings, communication workshops, an annual NGO conference and an annual orientation program for newly associated NGOs.

Currently there are 1664 NGOs with strong information programs associated with DPI out of which 668 are also associated with ECOSOC. While consultative status with ECOSOC may be obtained by NGOs whose work covers issues on the agenda of ECOSOC, association with DPI also requires having effective information programs in place and the ability and means to disseminate information about the work of the United Nations.