51³Ô¹Ï

Who We Are

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The Civil Society Unit is within the Outreach Division in the 51³Ô¹Ï Department of Global Communications (DGC). It is mandated to link the Organization with civil society organizations (CSOs) that are associated with DGC and to support the department's efforts to disseminate information on the work and role of the UN. 

A civil society organization (CSO) or non-governmental organizaiton (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens¡¯ group which is organized on a local, national or international level.  Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, civil society organisations (CSOs) perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens¡¯ concerns to Governments, monitor policies, and encourage political participation at the community level. CSOs provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements, including Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Typically, they are organized around specific issues, such as the UN pillars of peace and security, human rights, and development. CSOs often promote UN observances and international years and decades established by the General Assembly to focus world attention on important issues facing humanity. Their relationships with offices and agencies of the 51³Ô¹Ï System differ depending on their location and mandate.

What We Do

The Department of Global Communications cooperates with CSOs whose mandates align with the goals and principles of the 51³Ô¹Ï through a variety of initiatives. 

Over 1,500 CSOs with strong information programmes on issues of concern to the 51³Ô¹Ï are currently in formal association with the Department of Global Communications, giving the 51³Ô¹Ï valuable links to people and communities around the world. DGC helps CSOs gain access to and disseminate information about the range of issues in which the 51³Ô¹Ï is involved, to enable them to more effectively carry out their activities in support of the UN Charter and to raise awareness among public audiences about the work of the Organization.