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Committee Membership

Committees and Coalitions of NGOs at the UN
NGO Committees and Caucuses provide a forum for NGOs with common interests to come together in unity and cooperation to support the principles and programs of the United Nations. Since the founding days of the UN in 1945, NGOs have made valuable contributions to the UN and the international community by drawing attention to issues, suggesting ideas and programs, promoting knowledge of UN principles, publicizing UN activities, disseminating information, and mobilizing public opinion in support of the UN.

TOU Committee & Caucus Membership
Sr. Joan Kirby is the President of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations. The Committee is composed of representatives of national and international organizations that define their work as religious, spiritual or ethical in nature and are accredited by the UN. This year the Committee has been in conversation with the Secretary General's High Level Panel for Civil Society to recommend ways to involve religious NGOs more fully in the UN. Past activities of the Committee of RNGOs at the UN include sponsorship of Briefings on Religion, the UN and Civil Society during 2003-04.

Sr. Kirby is also the secretary for the NGO Committee on Human Rights that works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Briefings by this committee always include speakers from the Office of the HCHR, a UN Mission and a representative of a Human Rights NGO; delegates usually attend these meetings from at least 15 UN Missions. Topics for the year have focused on Human Rights in Time of War.

The Values Caucus is a forum based on a commitment to values shared by all humanity. This caucus affirms that there are shared values and believes that choosing to live by these values will lead to a global future of peaceful cooperation in an interdependent and culturally diverse world. The Values Caucus hosts morning coffees to introduce Ambassadors from member States to NGO participants. Most recently, the Ambassador from East Timor inspired the NGOs present by his sharing information about his country. During November 2003, the Caucus held a briefing: "Exploring Reconciliation through Common Ethics."

 
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