UN forum to examine civil groups’ support for societies emerging from conflict
Expected to join the two officials at the 55th Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), which gets underway on Monday, are outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, and the Special Representative of Secretary-General Kofi Annan for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi.
The three-day event, organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), is slated to examine such topics as the re-establishment of the rule of law and good governance in war-torn societies, the restoration of social services, economic recovery, psychosocial reconciliation, and the process of military demobilization.
“Rebuilding countries emerging from conflict is a theme about which there is a great deal to learn and many opportunities for joint action, pooling the resources and expertise of the United Nations, governments and NGOs,” the Secretary-General says in a message to the Conference.
Speaking on the importance of civil groups in post-conflict societies, Conference Chair Sherrill Kazan explains, “NGOs are at the heart of the recovery process – they are usually there before and stay after the international community’s involvement in conflict areas.”
Over 1,700 NGO representatives from about 90 countries are expected to attend the Conference.