In early 2023, Family For Every Child achieved a major milestone as a global alliance –
Family For Every Child achieved United Nation Consultative status through The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This a huge step for our global alliance of 46 local member organisations, as we work together to deepen our global impact, ultimately creating more positive change for children around the world. So, let us explain to you what this all means for us, the alliance, and you, our generous supporters.
What is ECOSOC?
The Economic and Social Council is at the heart of the United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals. It is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits. The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations.
What does ECOSOC do though?
ECOSOC coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialised agencies, ten functional commissions and five regional commissions, receives reports from nine UN funds and programmes and issues policy recommendations to the UN system and to Member States.
The UN Charter gives ECOSOC responsibility for promoting:
- Higher standards of living
- Full employment
- Economic and social progress
- The identification of solutions to international economic, social and health problems
- The facilitation of international cultural and educational cooperation
- Encouragement of universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
What does ECOSOC consultative status mean?
Consultative Status is a formal relationship between non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) or civil society organisations (CSO’s), such as Family For Every Child’s alliance members, and the United Nations. This relationship allows NGO’s to actively participate in the work of the UN and to directly contribute to policy development. In essence, ECOSOC allows CSO’s to have their voice heard as equal peers!
ECOSOC is the only main entry point into the UN system for NGOs with a formal framework for NGO and CSO participation.
What does this mean for you, as a Supporter of Family For Every Child?
This is historical in our journey as Family, and our supporters play a huge role! The UN diplomats and decision makers that we will consult with through our ECOSOC status are primarily concerned with hearing the voices of children, families and communities who are experiencing the daily challenges and rights violations. This means that our member organisations will have the opportunity to attend UN events with children and young people, caregivers and community members, who can speak on their issues in their own voice. ECOSOC status for us is an opportunity to bridge the gap between ordinary citizens and the UN diplomats who have the power to influence governments to change child care and protection policies and laws.
For our supporters, this means that you can be sure that your donation is helping to make a real, tangible impact on global systems. It means that we can slowly but surely deepen our global advocacy reach and, ultimately, influence the UN system and the States (our national governments) that adhere to the ECOSOC agenda.
This is exciting! As an alliance, we are in the process of deepening our global influence and we’re so pleased to be taking all 46 of our member organisations, and our generous global community of supporters, on this new journey with us.
