Marie Michael Library

Political space for non-governmental organizations in United Nations World Summit Processes

Badoun, Britta

This paper discusses NGOs as civil society actors and reviews the mechanisms for NGO participation in United Nations events. It examines how summits serve as meeting points for NGO representatives from across the world. The author suggests that while NGOs are becoming an important part of the summits, they are kept at a distance from the policy deliberations. According to the author, UN decisions with regard to NGO involvement are dominated by ideas of efficacy and efficiency. The author calls for a more moderating and mediating approach toward NGOs in UN international policy-making events.