In reply to thirdwitness's site:
In chapter one he implies that there are two seperate types of NGO's. One for the department of information and a second for the ECOSOC. And that only NGO'c associated with ECOSOC status have to prove its work directly related to the UN's agenda:
Chapter One: Know Your NGOs!
When you hear that the Watchtower Society was a United Nations NGO, you may not be aware that there is actually more than one kind of NGO. This fact is important, and is often deliberately obscured by those who try to condemn and criticize the Society.
“For an NGO to be recognized by the United Nations, however, there are requirements, and even two statuses for which an NGO might apply. The DPI status is under the authority of the U.N. Department of Public Information (UNDPI), which controls U.N. archives and research facilities...
“The other status for which the NGOs may apply is ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) status. The U.N. Website says that to obtain ECOSOC standing an NGO must prove that its work is directly relevant to U.N. goals. With ECOSOC standing an NGO may enter into a formal consultative relationship with access to officials of U.N. member states and must provide useful or special information to the U.N. Economic and Social Council...”
This is just not true. All NGO's are associated with the department of information. And all NGO's are required to promote the UN agenda and give evidence of such promotion. What thirdwitness omits is the following:
From the UN. What the watchtower agreed:http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/pdfs/watchtower.pdf
Recently the NGO Section has been receiving numerous inquiries regarding the association of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
with the Department of Public Information (DPI). This organization applied for association with DPI in 1991 and was granted association in 1992.
By accepting association with DPI, the organization agreed to meet criteria for association, including support and respect of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities. "The principal purpose of association of non-governmental organizations with the United Nations Department of Public Information is the redissemination of information in order to increase public understanding of the principles, activities and achievements of the United Nations and its Agencies. Consequently, it is important that you should keep us informed about your organization's information programme as it relates to the United Nations, including sending us issues of your relevant publications. We are enclosing a brochure on the "The United Nations and Non-Governmental Organizations", which will give you some information regarding the NGO relationship."
In addition, the criteria for NGOs to become associated with DPI include the following:
- • that the NGO share the principles of the UN Charter;
- • operate solely on a not-for-profit basis;
- • have a demonstrated interest in United Nations issues and a proven ability to reach large or specialized audiences, such as educators, media representatives, policy makers and the business community;
So, is it only NGO's with ECOSOC status that require support of the UN charter? Apparently not. The requirements are for all associated NGO's.
http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/about-ngo-assoc.html
About NGO Association with the UN
Non-governmental organizations have been partners of the Department of Public Information (DPI) since its establishment in 1947. Official relationships between DPI and NGOs date back to 1968. The Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1297 called on DPI to associate NGOs with effective information programmes in place and thus disseminate information about issues on the UN’s agenda and the work of the Organization. Through associated NGOs DPI seeks to reach people around the world and help them better understand the work and aims of the United Nations.
Currently there are 1533 NGOs with strong information programmes associated with DPI out of which 634 are also associated with ECOSOC. While consultative status with ECOSOC may be obtained by NGOs whose work covers issues on the agenda of ECOSOC, association with DPI also requires having effective information programmes in place and the ability and means to disseminate information about the work of the United Nations.
NGO responsibilities: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/ngo-partnership.html
Associated NGOs through their information programmes are expected to
promote knowledge of the principles and activities of the United Nations
disseminate information about the United Nations and its work to their constituencies
keep the DPI/NGO Section informed about their UN-related activities by submitting a report every four years
fill out an accreditation form every year
Please note that association of NGOs with DPI does not constitute their incorporation into the United Nations system, nor does it entitle associated organizations or their staff to any kind of privileges, immunities or special status.
Criteria for association with DPI: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/criteria.html
the NGO must support and respect the principles of the Charter of the UN and have a clear mission statement with those principles
the NGO must be recognized nationally or internationally
the NGO should operate solely on a not-for-profit basis and have tax-exempt status
the NGO must have the commitment and the means to conduct effective information programmes with its constituents about UN activities
the NGO should have an established record of continuity of work for a minimum of three years and should show promise of sustained activity in the future
the NGO should have a satisfactory record of collaboration with UN Information Centres/Services or other parts of the UN System prior to association
the NGO should provide an audited annual financial statement, conducted by a qualified, independent accountant
the NGO should have statutes/by-laws providing for a transparent process of making decisions, elections of officers and members
Evaluation and review process:http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/criteria.html
Associated NGOs undergo a specifically designed evaluation and review process, which is two-fold.
The DPI Committee on NGOs, which decides on association and disassociation, meets twice a year, in June/July and December. The Committee reviews new applications and decides on the status of currently associated NGOs that no longer meet the criteria.
Every four years associated NGOs are required to submit:
a completed evaluation form, which is sent to all associated NGOs at the beginning of the four year period
a quadrennial report of their UN-related activities
at least three samples of their UN-related information materials
This is taken from the guidelines the EVERY NGO must submit every 4 years : http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ngo/
on-governmental organizations in General and Special consultative status with ECOSOC must submit to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, every fourth year, a brief report of their activities, in particular regarding their contribution to the work of the United Nations
And finally, http://www.globalpolicy.org/ngos/ngo-un/rest-un/2001/1030j.htm
Jehovah's Witnesses Quit UN Affiliation
after 10 year Relationship with UN Made Public
October 30, 2001
Responding to criticism from current and former members the Watch Tower Society (parent organization for Jehovah's Witnesses) this month withdrew its formal association with the United Nations as a NGO (non-government affiliate organization). The Watch Tower Society had quietly affiliated with the UN in 1991 in an agreement to "support the Charter" of the United Nations--also agreeing to promote the UN among its members.
Watch Tower publications have long labeled the UN as one of the "beasts" of the biblical book of Revelation--the archenemy of the kingdom of God. Some critics of the 6 million member denomination, well known for its aggressive door to door missionary work, believe this is the greatest scandal to hit Watch Tower leadership. "It's comparable to a Catholic finding out that the Vatican had privately agreed to support Planned Parenthood and abortion rights, "stated ex-member David Brown of Central Point, Oregon.
The refusal of Witnesses to salute a flag, perform military service, vote or hold public office has often brought them official persecution. Apparently, the Watch Tower Society's affiliation with the United Nations was to get help in their religious freedom struggles. "Their affiliation with the UN as a NGO was much more than just registering with the UN to get help for their members," says Brown.
In a letter explaining the sect's withdrawal as a UN affiliate, UN official Paul Hoeffel states that NGO membership involves "support and respect of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities." The Watch Tower Society's affiliation with the UN gave them political clout, status and connections they could not have had otherwise. The connection was not announced in Witness publications and was only recently discovered when it was noticed that the Watch Tower Society was listed on a UN webpage as a NGO member.
The public criticism of this connection led to the Watch Tower's disassociation as a UN affiliate. "In October 2001, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York requested termination of its association with DPI[Department of Public Information of the UN]. Following this request, the DPI has made decisions to disassociate the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York as of 9 October 2001," explains UN official Hoeffel.
Membership as a NGO of the UN required annual re-certification. "There have been several seemingly positive articles in the Witnesses' news magazine Awake! discussing the UN in the past few years. It seemed out of character to read such things in Watch Tower publications but it didn't make sense why they were there until now," says Brown. "The Society's Writing Department evidently used UN press releases for Awake! articles and then they could submit these to show they were informing their members of UN activities and keep their NGO membership."
Ex-members and many current members feel this was hypocrisy of the highest caliber. Witness theology has understood the United Nations as "the disgusting thing that causes desolation" (from Matthew's gospel) and as "the image of the wild beast" from Revelation chapter 13. Witnesses believe that all other religions have prostituted themselves to the UN (their interpretation of "Babylon the Great" riding the "scarlet colored wild beast" in Revelation chapter 17) and that soon the UN will turn on "false religion" (all other religions) and destroy them. Improbable as that scenario is the Witnesses believe that because of their "strict neutrality in political affairs" they will not be affected when the UN acts to destroy "false religion" (this being the immediate predecessor of Armageddon).
"Most Witnesses have no idea that for the past 10 years the Watch Tower Society was certified as an affiliate organization of the UN along with Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants and other religious bodies promoting its agenda just as the other religions promote theirs," says Brown. "Actually, I think this was a positive development in the history of Jehovah's Witnesses. Unfortunately, it was hypocritical to do so while demonizing the UN in their doctrinal publications. Sadder still, the Watch Tower organization continues to maintain a policy that effectively excommunicates members who get involved in any political activity."
The first official reply from a Watch Tower official was made by Paul Gillies of the Witnesses' branch office in Britian on October 22nd: membership as a NGO was simply a result of "getting a library card" at the UN facilities in New York. Gillies did not explain the annual re-certification process for NGO members which the Watch Tower Society participated in. Nor did he comment on the numerous articles in Awake! which promoted the UN.
"This was not a one-time application the Watch Tower Society made where they didn't realize what they were doing," says Brown. "This was a relationship renewed yearly resulting in their news magazine doing PR for the UN. This relationship resulted in favorable UN support for the Witnesses' human rights struggles."
steve
