United Nations - ISA Relations

The International Studies Association holds Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, and is also affiliated with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Non-Governmental Organizations

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) are organizations that serve a particular purpose or mission while not being under the control of the government. They can serve a number of purposes such as promoting human rights, economic awareness, or a more specific cause or issue. NGO’s have worked closely with the United Nations for a long time. NGO’s have long provided help in promoting awareness, communication and support in action of UN causes.

ISA as a UN-NGO

The ISA has been a UN recognized NGO since 1974 under ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) with Roster Consultative Status. The Economic and Social Council is one of the 6 bodies of the UN (General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Security Council, International Court of Justice and the Trusteeship Council) and is the body under which most NGO’s operate. Roster consultative status is the most common of the three types of consultative status (special, roster or general) and applies to organizations which have a smaller range of focus than ECOSOC itself or may also have status with other UN bodies. These privileges must be used for purposes that are in accordance with the ISA constitution, namely “expanding, disseminating, and applying knowledge of interrelations among nations and peoples.” Our roster status means that ISA members may attend ECOSOC-sponsored meetings, but cannot speak or circulate statements at those meetings.

The International Social Sciences Council (ISSC)

The International Social Science Council (ISSC) is supported by UNESCO and is an international body dedicated to non-profit organizations representing the social and behavioral sciences. ISA maintains associate membership status with the ISSC and sits in on their General Assembly deliberations.

Past Events

ISA NGO’s representatives have participated in, and facilitated access for ISA members to, many of the UN’s global and other conferences, including:

  • The 43rd Session of the Commission on Population and Development [April 12-16, 2010, New York], with thematic focuses on health, morbidity, mortality and development.
  • The 9th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues [April 19-30, 2010, New York]
  • The 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development [May 3-14, 2010, New York], with thematic focuses on transport, chemicals, waste management, mining, and the 10 Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption & Production Patterns.
  • Fourth World Conference for Women [1995, Beijing], and "Beijing plus 5" follow-up (Special Session of the General Assembly) in 2000, as well as annual meetings in New York of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
  • World Conference on Population and Development [1994, Cairo], and World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995), with regular follow-ups (in sectoral areas) sponsored by the U.N. Commission for Social Development.
  • The United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development [1992, Rio de Janeiro], annual follow-ups hosted by the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) at U.N. headquarters in New York, and the major World Summit Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa 2002.
  • ISA representatives also focused on narcotics and small-arms issues in the period 2000 - 2003.

Resources