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As an international non-governmental
organization (NGO),
Zonta International brings our concerns to the United Nations,
suggests solutions, draws public attention
to issues and encourages
the political participation of our members at the community level.
Zonta is associated with
the Department of Public Information (DPI). This is a status
granted to organizations with strong informational programs on
issues of concern to the UN. The UN provides these NGOs access
to information and materials, and in turn, we agree to disseminate
that information to our membership.
Since 1985, Zonta International
has had general consultative status with the Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC), one of six principle bodies that carry out
the work of the UN. ECOSOC is responsible for two-thirds of the
programs of the UN and serves as the central forum for the discussion
of international economic and social issues and the formulation
of policy recommendations on those issues. It is charged with
promoting respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental
freedoms. ECOSOC coordinates the operations of subsidiary bodies
such as the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations
Population Fund, the United Nations Development Fund for Women
and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
One of nine functional ECOSOC
committees, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the
leading policymaking body concerned with women's rights and the
equal status of women. Since 1946, the CSW
has convened an annual conference, now attended by thousands of women from around the
world, to discuss issues of paramount concern for women. Accredited
NGOs like Zonta participate in Commission sessions by providing
written statements relating to the issues being considered. NGOs
may be permitted to give oral presentations during the general
debate and expert panels, and to organize side events.
Members of Zonta
International's UN Committee attend UN conferences, including sessions of various
ECOSOC agencies, committees and commissions at UN sites in Geneva,
Vienna, Paris, and the UN Headquarters in New York. Although
not a part of the UN's structure, Zonta International's representative
to the Council of Europe also attends the related meetings of
that body. These representatives report through the International
UN Committee Chairman who reports to the Zonta International
Board of Directors on issues and recommendations for action.
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