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Secretary-General’s panel on relations with civil society begins two-day meeting

Secretary-General’s panel on relations with civil society begins two-day meeting

A panel of prominent personalities from around the globe convened by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan began two days of closed-door meetings at UN Headquarters in New York today, chaired by former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil.

Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette opened the session of the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN Relations with Civil Society, after which it began discussion of two main issues with presentations by Mr. Cardoso – an overview of civil society and global governance, and a review and analysis of UN practice in dealing with civil society.

Mr. Annan set up the panel in February, calling improved interaction between the UN and the many actors in civil society “an essential step” towards making the UN more efficient and more capable of responding to the new demands of the 21st century.

"The goals of the United Nations can only be achieved if civil society as well as Governments and international agencies are fully engaged," he said then.