I Love the UN, Part 1

The following is a partial list of NGOs in Consultative Status with the UN. These groups, among others, may advise the UN on policy issues in their area of expertise. In 1948, there were 45 Consultative NGOs. Now there are more than 3100. The blurbs are taken almost entirely from each organization’s website. Seriously.

Art of Living Foundation—The Art of Living Foundation is the largest volunteer based Non-Governmental Organization in the world. The Foundation's service projects, programs on yoga, meditation and stress elimination have benefited over 20 million people representing all walks of life, religions, cultures and traditions. Sign me up to save the world through yoga and meditation! http://www.artofliving.org/

Befrienders Worldwide—we work worldwide to provide emotional support, and reduce suicide. We listen to people who are in distress. We don't judge them or tell them what to do - we listen. And I have no problem with that, in fact I support it. The question is, unless the UN is standing on some kind of window ledge thinking about jumping, why is it listening to them? http://www.befrienders.org/

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility—
1. We foster and support public discussion of, and public responsibility for decisions involving the use of technology in systems critical to society.
2. We work to dispel popular myths about the infallibility of technologies.
3. We challenge the assumption that technology alone can solve political and social problems.
4. We critically examine social and technical issues within the information technology profession, both nationally and internationally.
5. We encourage the use of information technology to improve quality of life.
6. We party like it’s 1999
http://www.cpsr.org/

European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages—In today's EU there are some 46 million speakers of European lesser-used, regional and minoritised languages. EBLUL, with a mandate from its democratically elected Member State Committees, represents the interests of these language communities at regional, state and European level. They tried picketing the General Assembly but no one could read the signs. http://www.eblul.org/

International Federation of Hard of Hearing People—The International Federation of Hard of Hearing People consists of National Associations of and for hard of hearing and late deafened people, and parents' and professional organizations. The board members of IFHOH carry out their work on a voluntary basis. They are working to help non-member countries develop consumer based organizations which can provide leadership for their people with hearing loss. Please note: this organization is separate from any organization promoting the interests of deaf people, whether or not they have become deaf or were born that way. http://www.ifhoh.org/

Private Agencies Collaborating Together—PACT is a networked global organization that builds the capacity of local leaders and organizations to meet pressing social needs in dozens of countries around the world. Our work is firmly rooted in the belief that local communities must be the driving force in ending poverty and injustice. Do we have to collaborate together? Just wait until I start my competing organization, PACABO—Private Agencies Collaborating All By Ourselves. http://www.pactworld.org/

World Leisure and Recreation Association—The goals of the commission are connected with the three magor goals of WLRA (Discovery, Delivery and Advocacy) in the following ways: a) by promoting awareness of the significance of leisure and recreation in older peoples lives b) by giving visibility to the rapidly increasing numbers of older people by the Association c) by providing a discussion of global issues affecting older poeples leisure worldwide d) by conducting quality research, providing meaningful education, and effective management focused on leisure in the later years and e) by supporting the development of national policies and programs pertaining to the interests of needs of the elderly. And they’d love to get right to work on those goals, just as soon as they finish watching this bocce ball tournament on TV. http://utopia.duth.gr/~yharahou/wlra.htm