Earlier this month, ADEPT received the letter confirming its special consultative status at United Nation’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This United Nation’s organ, specialised on economic and social fields, adopted the recommendation of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to grant ADEPT this honouring position. After an intensive 2-year process, ADEPT will represent the African Diaspora in this important forum.
ECOSOC, what is it about?
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. This entity at the heart of the United Nations’ system is responsible for coordinating the economic, social and environmental fields of the organization. It is the central platform with several specific commissions fostering discussions, forging consensus on ways forward and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals.
In the same way as the Security Council, ECOSOC offers a unique global meeting point for productive dialogues among policymakers, parliamentarians, academics, foundations, businesses and youth representatives.
The importance of ECOSOC
This international platform gives the civil society organisations an opportunity to express their expert opinion. Thus, those organisations can participate in high-level meetings conducted by the United Nations and also have access to the offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna. The entity echoes and legitimises the policy and advocacy work conducted by civil society organisations working on economic, social and environmental issues.
ADEPT’s role
It is precisely this cooperation with ECOSOC that will progress ADEPT’s work. As a member of ECOSOC, it wants to continue representing the African diaspora organisations and individuals and echoing their ambitions, solutions and concerns. In addition, ADEPT’s members and network will be able to integrally participate and convey their opinions directly to the United Nations. Especially when it comes to subjects discussing women and youth empowerment, environmental and humanitarian issues. In doing so, it matches with ADEPT’s ambition to claim full inclusion of African diaspora in international institutions and demand recognition for its work, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
