nd extend the reach of the UN to areas where the UN's limited resources might otherwise prevent access. In exchange, NGOs propagate the agenda of the UN for increased globalization and development. There is thus a mutually beneficial arrangement between many NGOs and the UN, and the UN actively cultivates relationships with NGOs ("Association Between," 2002).
Specifically, there are four areas in which the UN and NGOs work together: economic and social development with ECOSOC, accreditation for conferences sponsored by the UN, close working relationships with UN departments and association of some NGOs with the UN's public information group ("Association Between," 2002).
NGOs can obtain one of three consultative status levels with the UN's ECOSOC; in this capacity, NGOs serve as expert analysts and consultants working with the UN as well as with various intergovernmental groups. In this way, NGOs that are based on non-government organizations become integral parts of government-sponsored programs to deliver services. Depending on the status (general, special or roster) of the NGO, its influence at the UN can vary from having access to officers from the Secretariat to having significant input on policy decisions made at the UN. Because of this, organizations that might have stated goals of increasing healthcare, for example, may have considerable political input across a wide variety of issues including issues that are not directly related to healthcare.
NGOs that become affiliated with the UN's Department of Public Information (DPI) enjoy influence over the messages that the UN puts forth in the global media, in addition to enjoying other benefits. NGOs so affiliated are invited to weekly briefings on a variety of global issues; speakers at these briefings may be members of the UN staff, delegates from member states, or other NGO member. Thus, NGOs have a direct voice in the information disseminated by the United Nation...