BEIJING+5 FACT SHEET -- UPDATE #2 (27 April 2000)

BEIJING+5 FACT SHEET UPDATE #5
(27 April 2000)

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This Fact Sheet contains information regarding the Beijing+5 Process. It is an effort to provide information as available. New or changed information will appear in future editions. You are urged to share this information with your fellow NGOs. We welcome other NGOs to contact us with their e-mail address, fax number, and/or mailing address so that we can add them to our contact list.

This Update is intended as a general overview of the Beijing+5 process. We apologize to those NGOs who have been closely following this process for whom some of this information will not be news.

BEIJING+5 "Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the 21st Century," also known as Beijing+5, is the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly that will be held in New York on 5 9 June 2000. The mandate of Beijing+5 is to review the progress made in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action and to consider further actions and initiatives. More information about the Beijing+5 process can be found on the CONGO web site (www.conferenceofngos.org).

NGO PARTICIPATION AT THE SPECIAL SESSION

There were two deadline dates with the Division for the Advancement of Women (UN/DAW):

31 March 2000: "Registration" for 1) NGOs with consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and 2) NGOs accredited to the official Fourth World Conference for Women in Beijing, 1995.
5 April 2000: "Application" for NGOs formed after 1995. The application process is only for new NGOs who do not have consultative status and who have been working to further the goals of the Beijing PFA.

UN/DAW does not yet have a final answer about the number of representatives from each NGO who will be accredited to the Special Session. The letters of accreditation will be sent out in early May. Only confirmation letters will be sent initially. CONGO will send a Fact Sheet Update to advise NGOs that the letters are being sent out. CONGO will NOT be in a position to verify or check the accreditation status of individual NGOs. Please watch for the update.

NGO WORKING SESSION

Friday afternoon 2 June, location to be announced: an outdoor event to which all NGOs are invited. There will be entertainment, some welcoming speeches and time to mingle informally. Tentative time is 2-5pm. Saturday 3 June at the United Nations. Registration is limited to NGOs accredited to the Special Session. Forms will be sent to accredited individuals by second week of May. More information will be sent out as details are finalized.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

Letter of assignment on official letterhead of a media organization

from the Publisher/ Assignment Editor or Bureau Chief. It should specify the name and functional title of the journalist and the period of coverage at the United Nations.

Print media representatives may be required to submit two recent issues of the publication.

Independent production companies are required to provide a letter from their broadcast organization.

Photographers may be required to submit original tear sheets of photos with credits of the organization.

Journalists must present two forms of valid ID (e.g. press card, work ID, driver's license); Non-US nationals must present their national passport with the appropriate journalist visa; US nationals must present proof of nationality.

Press credentials issued by the United Nations are free of charge.
The Media Accreditation Centre is in the Pass and Identification Unit, 801, United Nations Plaza, on the corner of 45th Street & First Avenue. Regular office hours are from 9:00 am to 12:45 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm (January to mid September). During the General Assembly, the office hours are from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm. The office is closed for lunch from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm.Check the UN web site for more information about media accreditation (www.un.org/geninfo/malu.htm.

VISA APPLICATIONS

Ambassador Linda Tarr-Whelan of the US Delegation has stated that the United States government will alert all of its consular services offices/embassies that a significant number of people will be applying for visas in order to attend the Beijing+5 Special Session. We recommend that NGO representatives take all relevant documentation with them when applying for their VISA. RESUMED PREPCOM AND INTER-SESSIONAL MEETINGS The dates for the resumed PrepCom and Inter-sessional meetings are:

8 - 12 May (Monday through Friday)

30 May 2 June (Tuesday through Friday)

CONTACT INFORMATION

There are many activities going on in New York City during the Beijing+5 Special Session. In addition to the official UN proceedings, there are NGO events directly associated with the official proceedings and other NGO events of interest. Different groups are facilitating/organizing these events. To help NGOs contact the most appropriate organization, please consult the following list:DIVISION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN (UN/DAW)

NGO registration and application process for the Beijing+5 Special Session. Contact Koh Miyaoi, beijing5@un.org or fax 1+212-963-3463 for registration form. Deadline for registering was Friday 31 March 2000. Deadline for applying was Wednesday 5 April 2000.

Accreditation to the Special Session. DAW will send notification of accreditation in early May.

NGO meeting space requests within the United Nations building. Contact: Koh Miyaoi (see contact information above). Deadline for all space requests was Saturday 15 April 2000. The Division and CONGO are coordinating space allocation. Confirmation letters will be sent out the second week of May.

NGO COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Coordinating communication with NGOs and ensuring wide dissemination of information about the Beijing+5 review process

NGO Working Session registration forms will soon be available on the CONGO web site (www.conferenceofngos.org)

Facilitating the collection of national and regional NGO alternative reports (deadline for submitting alternative/shadow reports was Saturday 15 April 2000) and playing a role in their dissemination

Liaising with the UN/DAW and other UN agencies/departments as appropriate

Coordinating on-site NGO services at the UN during official sessions

Contact CONGO, congongo@aol.com or fax 1+212-986-0821CONGO (Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations)

Secretariat for the NGO Coordinating Committee

NGO meeting space requests for the Church Center (CCUN) across the street from the UN building. Requests for space must be on the meeting request form available on the CONGO web site (www.conferenceofngos.org). CONGO will do its best to accommodate all requests fairly, but has limited space with which to work. Contact Tsinu Tesfaye, CONGO, Beijing+5 Coordinator, beijing5ngo@aol.com or fax 1+212-687-7352. Deadline for space requests is Sunday 30 April 2000. Confirmation letters will be sent out at the same time as those from the Division (see above).

Disseminating information about the Beijing+5 process to all interested NGOs

US BEIJING PLUS 5 NGO HOST COMMITTEE (US NGO HOST COMMITTEE)

Facilitating educational and celebratory events at the U.S. Customs House, One Bowling Green (near Battery Park in lower Manhattan) - registration necessary; form is available on Host Committee web site. Deadline for registration: 15 May.

Coordinating a Calendar of Events on their web site of Beijing+5 events occurring throughout New York City with links to the organizer’s site

Review www.beijingplus5hostcomm.com for more information. The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) is an international, not-for-profit membership association that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, CONGO's major objective is to ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United Nations agencies on issues of global concern. For more information, contact: CONGO 777 United Nations Plaza, 8th Floor New York, NY 10017 212-986-8557 (tel) 212-986-0821 (fax) congongo@aol.com