Malankara Social Service Society (MSSS) in the United Nations Economic and Social Council

Malankara Social Service Society (MSSS) now enjoys a “Special Consultative Status” in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). ECOSOC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions.

The ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system. Over 4600 non-governmental organizations have been granted consultative status to the Council to participate in the work of the United Nations globally.

Consultative status provides NGOs with access to not only ECOSOC, but also to its many subsidiary bodies, to the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, as well as special events organized by the President of the General Assembly.

Special consultative status is granted to NGOs which have a special competence in, and are concerned specifically with, a few fields of activity covered by the ECOSOC.

NGOs are granted the privilege of participating in a wide variety of United Nations-sponsored meetings and activities. In return, they are expected to contribute, each in their own way, to support the development aims of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations at large.

NGOs are encouraged to take part in the appropriate intergovernmental fora so that the work of the Council, and the United Nations at large, can benefit from their input. Participation in the work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies might include: contributions to meetings and outcome documents or reports; oral and written statements; proposal of agenda items; and organization of parallel NGO meetings or side events, among others. Cooperation with United Nations bodies or specialized agencies in the field or at Headquarters might include: preparation of, or contribution to, research papers and studies; joint sponsorship of meetings; humanitarian activities or operational projects; or financial assistance received from or given to the United Nations.

ECOSOC’s Millennium Development Goals, which forms the basis of the United Nations global peace and development agenda is the primary source from which Consultative Organisations are to draw their initiatives.

MSSS has received the Special Consultative Status for its contribution in the sustainable development of Children and Youth, Farmers and Non-governmental organizations.

A special meeting will be held on the 23rd of August, 2016 at 3pm at Pattom Major Arch Bishops house in the presence of His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis and the Director of MSSS, Fr . Bovas Mathew to thank the achievement.