Information for NGOs

Getting ready

1. Accreditation, invitation & pre-registration
2. Important information for attending NGOs

1. Accreditation, invitation & pre-registration

Over 3,600 NGOs accredited to the Special Session have been re-invited by letter to attend the Special Session from May 8-10. NGOs who had pre-registered for the September 2001 session must complete the new pre-registration forms received with their re-invitation letter. Pre-registration forms will be accepted only from officially invited NGOs. Members of accredited NGOs who wish to see the invitation letter should contact their headquarters office.

New Final list of NGO Participants to the Special Session [word]

Preliminary list of NGOs pre-registered for the Special Session [word]

List of NGOs approved for accreditation to the Special Session [word]

There are three criteria for NGO invitation to the Special Session on Children:

• NGOs accredited in accordance with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Resolution 1996/31
• NGOs in consultative status with UNICEF
• NGOs not accredited with either of the above but have a collaborative relationship and partnership with UNICEF and accredited prior to the October 2000 deadline.

The accreditation process for the Special Session on Children has been closed.

To learn about side events prior to and during the SSC in the NY metropolitan area, consult the section Agenda and activities or visit the website of the US Fund for UNICEF.

NGOs and the Preparatory Process

Preparations for the Special Session on Children (SSC) have resumed. Invitations have been sent to more than 3,600 accredited NGOs.

NGOs from around the world have participated in the preparatory process, providing feedback on the Draft outcome document and to the mass mobilization efforts towards the Global Movement for Children. During the Special Session, NGOs will join with governments, international organizations and the private sector to address issues of common concern and to discuss the goals and outcome of the special session.

Read more about past NGO participation in the 2nd and 3rd Preparatory Committees.

2. Important information for attending NGOs

NGO representation
Each accredited NGO is allowed a maximum of four representatives. Space is provided on the pre-registration form for the names of these individuals.

Requirements for the participation of children & young people
NGO representatives under the age of 18 but must be accompanied by a chaperone. Children and young people and their chaperones are counted as part of the four-member delegation. NGOs must also ensure the completion of the Parent/Guardian Consent Form, also included with the re-invitation letter.

Confirmation
When we receive the pre-registration forms, we will send each nominated representative a confirmation letter by fax. This letter serves as the official invitation to your organization's representative and can be used to apply for visa to the United States.

Accommodation/Transportation/Medical insurance
A list of accommodation and transportation in the New York City metropolitan area is included in the invitation package. Representatives are responsible for their own reservations and travel arrangements to/from the airport as well as in the metropolitan area. UNICEF and the NGO Steering Group do not provide hotel bookings. We recommend that representatives reserve accommodation early due to the large number of participants expected at the Special Session. All representatives interested in attending should ensure they have adequate medical insurance prior to coming.

NEW!

Registration (as of 26th April 2002)
NGO Registration for the Special Session on Children, including registration for ECOSOC-accredited NGOs, will take place in a tent located at the North end of the North Lawn Garden on UN premises. NGO representatives are requested to use the pedestrian entrance gate at 48th Street and 1st Avenue.

Please note that you will be required to have your confirmation letter and valid photo ID (passport, driver's license) ready at the gate on 48th Street and 1st Avenue, for identification purposes.

Registration for the Children's Forum will be held at the same location.

NGO Registration dates and times:

Registration for the Children's Forum:

NGOs who have obtained their picture conference pass will leave the premises and re-enter the UN conference building on 46th Street and 1st Avenue.

Passes and NGO access
Each registered NGO representative will receive one individual UN picture grounds pass to allow him/her access to the UN building during the Special Session.

In addition, at the NGO Registration Desk, each registered organization will receive only two transferable passes that allow access to the official sessions. Representatives who wish to attend the official sessions must have both the UN picture grounds pass and a transferable pass. Each organization is responsible for ensuring that the transferable passes are rotated equitably among the four representatives who wish to attend an official session.

Transferable Passes

Access to Official Sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole, Conference Room 2
Wednesday, 8 May 2002 10:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9 May 2002 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

• Due to space and safety consideration - only one transferable pass per organization is issued.
• NGOs were informed in the March 2002 Invitation Letter that transferable pass will be issued to the organization without a personal designation.
• Individual representatives are expected to contact their colleagues in case the one transferable pass has already been issued.
• In case individual representatives of the NGO do not know how to contact their colleagues in New York, they are advised to contact their Headquarters to obtain the contact information in New York of these representatives.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause to NGOs.

NGO orientation sessions
7 May, 3-5 PM, Conference Room 4
The agenda includes briefings from the UN, UNICEF, the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee and NGOs.

NGO reception
7 May, 7:00-9:00 PM, UN Visitors Lobby
An informal gathering of all participating NGOs, government delegates and UNICEF and UN staff.

NGO Workshop
9 May, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, DC- 1, 14th Floor Conference Room. Relationship between the United Nations and the NGO Community (organized by DESA).

The Children's Forum
5-7 May
This side event is for representatives of government delegations and accredited NGOs under the age of 18 years. Only under 18 year-old delegates who were confirmed to participate in the Forum of September 2001 are being invited to attend the re-scheduled event.

Due to limited space, we cannot accommodate additional nominees for the Children's Forum. Young people and children participating in the forum for NGOs must be part of the four-member delegation.Visit the Under-18 zone for more information.

Background information: