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Nov. 2007 - dianova international, consultant to the economic and social council of the un

Of what importance is Consultative Status?
Nongovernmental organizations are able to establish a mutually profitable cooperative relationship with the UN, through consultative status to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the UN’s main bodies. In order to fulfill its mission more effectively, ECOSOC calls upon the resources offered by NGO’s whose activities and expertise may complement those of the UN.
In concrete terms, consultative status conveys a number of privileges, the principle ones being: attendance at ECOSOC meetings and conferences and those of its subsidiary bodies, the opportunity to submit written statements and, in certain cases, to make oral presentations; participation in UN-led international conferences; and attendance at General Assembly special sessions, as well as at other intergovernmental meetings.

Activities of Interest to the UN
Dianova is engaged in promoting social progress and individual self-reliance through numerous initiatives that so far impact nineteen items of the United Nations’ agenda, among which are:

Nearly twenty different programs are offered by Dianova member organizations in twelve countries of Europe, South America and North America, caring for approximately 5,000 persons every year, with an overall annual budget of 15 million Euros. To mention a few of these initiatives:

According to Ms. Montserrat Rafel, Executive Director of Dianova International, “the achievement of consultative status to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations represented a milestone in the development of the Dianova network.
Ms. Rafel further states: “Beyond the acknowledgement of the importance of the programs offered by our member organizations, it represents an opportunity to begin working with the United Nations, with other NGO’s and with UN member states. We strongly believe that the sharing of expertise and experience in areas of mutual concern works to the benefit of all those participating in the process”

“The experience of Dianova in its twelve member countries, and with the multiple people groups within and beyond these countries who seek our services, bring about an invaluable, multicultural outlook”, Ms. Rafel notes:
“We learn every day in the field, and we use what works best, depending of course on the characteristics of the individuals themselves, including their various cultural considerations. This is the reason why we expect great things of ourselves in our role as 'consultant' to ECOSOC, and why we wish to share our diverse sensibilities and contribute our experience and expertise to decision-making processes at the international level"