Since July 21st 2014, Transdiaspora Network (TDN) is a “UN-accredited NGO in Special Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council (hereafter: “ECOSOC”)”. TDN is one of the few Brooklyn-based social enterprises/non-profit organizations that has been granted this status. Consultative status for an organization enables it to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in a number of ways.

What is the Special Consultative Status (SCS)?

The ECOSOC grants Special Consultative Status (hereafter: “SCS”) to NGOs whose programmes are of direct relevance to the aims and purpose of the United Nations. The SCS allows NGOs to attend UN conferences, designate UN representatives to all UN missions in the world, and circulate statements at ECOSOC and other UN meetings.

Consultative Status has its foundation in Article 71 of Chapter 10 of the United Nations Charter:

“The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned.”

United Nations Resolution 1996/31 states the following about Special Consultative Status:

“23. Organisations that have a special competence in, and are concerned specifically with, only a few of the fields of activity covered by the Council and its subsidiary bodies, and that are known within the fields for which they have or seek consultative status shall be known as organizations in special consultative status.“

Currently there are only 3,033 NGOs in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and TDN is privileged to be among them. Because of our expert knowledge, innovative contribution, social commitment and diligent work, TDN is also member of the UN Mayor Groups and Civil Society Stakeholders for Sustainable Development.

The first time that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) took a role in formal UN deliberations was through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946. Article 71 of the UN Charter opened the door for suitable arrangements for consultation with NGOs.