The agenda of the high-level-meeting was long: new challenges of global security, poverty eradication, the implementation of human  rights, gender equality and the long-awaited institutional reform of the UN. The preparation  process for the M+5 (Millenium Summit +5)- Summit offered the potential for many promising reforms: the creation of a  Peacebuilding Commission and the upgrading of the Human Rights Commission to a Human  Rights Council, to name just two.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation accompanied this process by taking part in German and international discussions on these central issues and providing comprehensive background information. In this context, the foundation commissioned Julia Leininger of the University of Heidelberg to research the participation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UN organisations and the UN reform process. It was prompted to do so by the report published in June  2004, “We the peoples: Civil society, the United Nations and global governance” of the so-called “Cardoso Panel”. Other significant developments include the first UN General Assembly’s informal hearings with NGOs and the private sector which took place from 23 - 24  June 2005. Despite the many NGO activities within the UN, NGO participation as part of the reform agenda had been marginalised and overshadowed by other issues, such as reform of the  Security Council.

This discussion paper summarises the most important content and recommendations of the  Cardoso Commission. It places the Cardoso-Report in the context of existing opportunities  for participation of NGOs in the UN System. It also examines the report in the light of other reform reports and the debate on the M+5 Summit. Beyond this, it analyses the opportunities for reform of NGO participation in the UN system in terms of selected reform proposals, such as the Peacebuilding Commission. Analysis of the NGO hearings in June 2005 receives special attention because of the unique nature of that event. Finally, the paper arrives at  15 conclusions and recommendations which enable a classification and evaluation of the  complex UN reform process.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation will continue to support its partners' participation in international  political  processes.  The proposed Peacebuilding Commission  and  the  Human  Rights Council deserve particular attention. Should it come to a comprehensive reform in  autumn 2005 or thereafter, it will be our job to work together with our partners to press for  quality assurances. We hope that this policy paper will help further the current discussion in  terms of content and policies, particularly in the follow-up to the M+5 Summit.

(from the foreword)

The whole report can be downloaded here.

Information on the numerous activities of the Heinrich Böll Foundation on issues of globalisation and further  development  of  the  United  Nations  can  be  found here.