GWEI Accepted by UN Economic and Social Council
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Gandhi Worldwide Accepted by United Nations Economic and Social Council
Special Consultative Status Bestowed on Gandhi Children’s NGO by UN
WACAUNDA, Ill., Aug. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — “The UN Consultative Status for our organization will enable us to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programs, funds and agencies in a number of ways,” stated Arun Gandhi, the organization’s founder and 5th grandson of the Mahatma Gandhi.
In a letter dated July 23, 2015 the UN ECOSOC acting Chief Alberto Padova wrote: “The new status entitles the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute to designate official representatives to the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the United Nations offices in Geneva and Vienna… and you may designate authorized representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, General Assembly, Human Rights Council and other United Nations intergovernmental decision-making bodies.”
“This status will help future fund raising efforts and open up GWEI’s voice at the UN. GWEI will be allowed to host this status at our website and make it part of our grant detail, exec summary, business plan and press release narrative,” said Lynnea Bylund the GWEI director who marshaled the ECOSOC appointment initiative and application process over the past two years.
The ECOSOC Special Consultative Status is reserved for non-profit organizations. GWEI was approved by the United Nations department’s special committee to apply in August 2013. GWEI’s application and work was subsequently scheduled for review by 17 representatives from UN member countries On May 29, 2015, GWEI was officially recommended for Special Consultative Status.
“GWEI now has the option to attend meetings, provide written statements, make oral statements, organize parallel events, and participate in debates, dialogues, panel discussions and informal meetings. Human right issues, peace, security, poverty, status of woman’s issues, trafficking, child rights to education, sustainable development, social development, and technology are some of the issues GWEI will address,” added Lynnea Bylund.
In addition to the ECOSOC appointment Arun Gandhi has been invited by UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa to address a high-level UN forum declaring a New Culture of Peace on September 9, 2015 in New York.
About Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute
The Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute, a 501c-3 charitable organization, has embarked on an ambitious multi-pronged program to help eradicate the scourge of poverty and human degradation. “Poverty is the worse form of violence,” Mahatma Gandhi said. The priority of the GWEI is to rescue children from the poorest sections of Indian society, those who are the first to become victims of criminal gangs; the second priority is to build local institutions that serve as shelters and learning centers, where the rescued children will receive essential nutrition and education – nourishment for body, mind, and soul. Visit Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute website and blog at www.gandhiforchildren.org for further information and/or to place a donation.
SOURCE: Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute