Subject: [fem-women2000 208] AWORC Report: APWW Petition on NGO Participation at the Special Session
From: lalamaziwa <lalamaziwa@jca.apc.org>
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 17:20:47 +0900
Seq: 208

Forwarded by lalamaziwa <lalamaziwa@jca.apc.org>
---------------- Original message follows ----------------
 From: cheekay cinco <cheekay@isiswomen.org>
 Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 18:52:59 -0500
 Subject: AWORC Report: APWW Petition on NGO Participation at the Special Session
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The APWW has initiated an appeal to the DAW on NGO participation at the
General Assembly Special Session in June 2000.  The petition, which will be
signed by NGOs/participants from all five regions, urges the DAW to
reconsider the arrangements that have been made for NGOs for the Special
Session, particularly:

* The distance between the Customs House which has been identified as an
alternative venue for NGO activities and the UN Secretariat building will
limit NGO visibility and opportunities for participation.

* The deadline for registration which has been set for 31 March for NGOs
with ECOSOC status and the first week of April for those who do not ECOSOC
status does not give sufficient time for NGOs to prepare and locate travel
funding.

* The deadline for registration for NGO activities which has been set for
15 April does not give sufficient time for NGOs to plan.

* The allocation of only 50 passes for NGOs to be able to observe the
General Assembly Special Session will limit NGO particibpation in the
official processes.

* The restriction on the number of representatives from each organisation
to a maximum of three but more likely two will prevent many NGOs who have
been consistently working to implement the Beijing Platform for Action from
participating in the review process.

The petition will be presented at the CONGO Meeting on Friday, 17 March.