Although there is no World Conference and therefore no parallel NGO Forum in June, NGOs are moving forward with plans to ensure a strong lobbying presence throughout deliberations at the March 2000 PrepCom for the Special Session on Beijing plus Five June 5-9, 2000.

CONGO SHAPES INCLUSIVE PLANNING PROCESS

The Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (known as CONGO) is convening a planning process to ensure NGO input from around the world into planning for Beijing+5. CONGO is an international membership federation of NGOs holding consultative relationship with the UN, which seeks to assist all NGOs to have an effective voice in UN conferences and events.

1. A 15-30 member NGO Coordinating Committee will function as the primary decision making body, and include representatives of CONGO, the three CONGO Committees on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, Geneva and Vienna, regional groups, large networks and issue-based caucuses. Regional NGO representatives for the Committee are being selected by NGOs participating in regional preparatory meetings. Regional representatives selected to date are:

   ASIA: Patricia Licuanan, Eileen Pittaway AFRICA: Joanna Foster, Sara Longwe (See page 22-23 for contact information)

2. A smaller NGO Organizing Subcommittee will be responsible for day-to-day operations.

3. "NGOs for Women 2000," a large and growing group of NGO representatives from around the world will participate on an ad hoc basis to put ideas and work into the review process, and will convene periodically in New York and other sites.

Over the next months, the NGO Coordinating Committee will reach out to NGOs around the world with information about new developments in the Beijing+5 process, and opportunities for NGO participation and input.

WHAT'S PLANNED FOR MARCH 2000?

Several NGO strategy and information events are being planned during and in advance of both the PrepCom and Special Session for NGOs. Space has been reserved in the Church Center at the United Nations (CCUN) and in the nearby vicinity.

1. HALF-DAY TRAINING/ORIENTATION SESSION.
   Sunday 27 Feb. 2000 and repeated on Sunday 5 Mar. 2000
   Organized by the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (New York), these sessions wil be focused on lobbying skills for "first-time" participants and those wishing to brush up on their skills.

2. ONE-DAY CONSULTATION
   Saturday, 4 March 2000.
   Organized by the NGO Committees on the Status of Women (New York, Geneva, Vienna), to lay the groundwork for substantive NGO input into the PrepCom.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PREPCOM?

NGOs wishing to attend the PrepCom must have:

1. Consultative status with ECOSOC, or
2. Were accredited to the Beijing World Conference in 1995 and have applied for ECOSOC status.

Both of these groups must also have registered with the UN Division for the Advancement of Women (UN/DAW) for the PrepCom. (Email: <koh.miyaoi@un.org>)

NGOs without ECOSOC status, who participated in Huairou NGO Forum 1995 only, cannot participate in the PrepCom (March) or Special Session (June).

All NGO requests for space for workshops/panels, etc. at the PrepCom in March should contact CONGO, who will then work with UNDAW, the UN section responsible for allocating space at the UN during the CSW and PrepCom, to accommodate each request. Please indicate your preference (UN or CCUN) when applying. Contact:

CONGO, Rebecca Nichols, Executive Director 777 United Nations Plaza, NY, NY10017, USA. Tel: (1-212) 986-8557; Fax: (1-212) 986-0821; E-mail: congongo@aol.com.

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