the social forum ofthe human rights council

8/11/2019 THE SOCIAL FORUM OFTHE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

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THE SOCIAL FORUM OF

THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

A Practical Guide for Civil Society


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Table of contents

Introduction..............................................................

Accreditation............................................................

Attending the Social Forum.........................................

Participation in General .............................................

Documentation and Resources.....................................

Other Important Information ........................................

Contact Us...............................................................


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Introduction

What is the Social Forum?

The Social Forum is an annual meeting convened by thHuman Rights Council. It serves as a unique space for o


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How does it work?

The Social Forum meets once a year (usually October) for period on a theme chosen by the Human Rights Council asession. The United Nations High Commissioner for Humapresents a report as a background contribution to the dialoChairperson-Rapporteur of the Forum is a representative o

State, appointed by the President of the Human Rights Coubasis of geographic rotation. In general, the format of the consists of presentations by experts on topics related to thefollowed by open discussion by meeting participants.

All participants, including civil society organizations and o

stakeholders, are encouraged to take an active part in shaprogramme through proposals to the Secretariat, such as cspeakers. A distinguishing feature of the Forum format for the Human Rights Council, is the egalitarian nature of partsociety actors participate on an equal footing with Membeexample, the absence of a traditional hierarchy of particip

there is no specified seating arrangement, or speaking ord

The outcome of the meeting is a report of the Forum whichto the Human Rights Council for consideration at its subseqin March. The Council in turn encourages States, internatioorganizations and civil society actors to consider the conc

recommendations of the Forum in their future programmes strategies.

In 2012, the theme of the Social Forum is, People-centredand globalization.



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Recent Themes of the Social Forum:

2011: Promotion of the right to development

Topics of discussions:

Legal and social action strategies

Social Justice Innovative approaches to participation and acc

International institutional frameworks

Financing for development

2010: Adverse effects of climate change on hu


Human rights concerns of vulnerable groups

National, regional and international measures t

impact of climate change Social dimension and good governance aspects

change negotiations

Green economy and technology transfer

2009: Impacts of economic and financial crisescombat poverty


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THE SOCIAL FORUM OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUN


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2008: Eradication of poverty and social dimensioglobalization process


Normative framework

Factors and elements of an enabling environment (f

issues; international assistance and cooperation; intrade policies; role of the State, civil society and tracorporations in poverty eradication)

National strategies in the globalization process (defavourable work conditions; good governance)

Globalization challenges (health care; climate chansecurity)



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AccreditationParticipation in the Social Forum is open tof United Nations Member States, intergoorganizations, United Nations human rigrepresentatives of national human rights i

society actors (e.g. non-governmental organd urban associations from the North ananti-poverty groups, peasants and farmers organizationational and international associations, social movemeorganizations, youth associations, community organizaunions and associations of workers, etc.), as well as rep

the private sector, regional banks, other financial instituinternational development agencies.

Civil society actors planning to attend the Social Forumof request for accreditation by email to the Secretariat([email protected]) within the deadline specifie

of the Social Forum(http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/SForumIndex.aspx). The OHCHR serves as the Secretariat for

The letter must contain the following element

Submitted on the official letterhead of the organ

State the title and duration of the session the organattend, e.g. [Name of organization], [if applicabafter the name of the organization, in consultativeEconomic and Social Council of the United Nation



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Those who do not have a valid identity badge must Conference Registration Form (one per person) and letter. The form is available on the website of the Soc

For NGOs and other civil society organizations witconsultative status with ECOSOC, please include: worganization; dates of participation at previous ses

Social Forum or any other United Nations human riand a brief description of activities carried out by thorganization which are relevant to the work of the S

The letter must be signed by the head of the organi

Please apply for your accreditation well in advance if a Sw

required, and consult the respective Swiss Consulate regarvisa application deadlines and documentation required. Ifattestation letter is required, NGOs in consultative status ware requested to address a letter to the United Nations OffNGO Liaison Officer (email:ungeneva.ngoliaison@un+41 22 917 05 83). Other civil society actors should add

the Secretariat ([email protected]).

When there is a large number of NGOs seeking to particisession, the Secretariat may limit the number of accreditedper delegation with access to the plenary room. Please indaccreditation request whether you seek access to the plena

parallel event.



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Attending the Social ForumThe Social Forum takes place at Palais deUnited Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG

Before attending the meeting, all participto obtain a photo identity badge from the UNOG SafeSection at:

Palais des Nations - Security entrancePregny Gate, 8 - 14 Avenue de la Paix1211 Geneva 10

Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Participants must present to the Safety and Security Sec

1) An identity document with picture (i.e. a valid

2) The duly completed Conference Registration above;

3) A copy of the letter of request for accreditatio

Upon presentation of the above documents a photo idefor the duration of the session will be issued. Participanan annual or temporary photo identity badge issued byand Safety Section, and valid for the duration of the sesaccess to the conference rooms.

All travel related-expenses, accommodation, medical inother arrangements are the responsibility of the particip



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Participation in GeneralAccess to the Public Gallery

The public gallery is located above the maroom to accommodate persons wishing toproceedings without being accredited as (e.g. students and academics). The public

limited number of seats.

Access to the public gallery will be granted depending onavailability of seating and other circumstances.

Individuals or groups who wish to observe the meeting arsend a request to the Secretariat ([email protected])week before the session with the following information:

Date of the visit;

Purpose of the visit; and

Full names of the observers.



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Documentation and ResourcesThe documentation and resources relatForum can be found at:

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/S

SForumIndex.aspx

Copies of documents that form the basis of meeting discollected from the document desk at Door 40 of the Pal

IT Arrangements

Wi-fi access is available in the meeting room and genepublic areas of the Palais des Nations. Computer terminear the Serpentine Bar.

Access to UN premises and the plenary room

Palais des Nations is accessible to accredited participa

Participants must comply with the requests and instructiNations officials and security staff relating to access anNations facilities and premises.

Participants must display their badge visibly at all timesand exiting, and while present on United Nations prem

Participants may be subjected to security scrutiny. AcceNations premises with large luggage is not permitted.



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Other important informationMedia

NGOs are not permitted to hold press conferenpremises. Press briefings, and dissemination ofand media advisories by NGOs may be arrangthrough the Association of Correspondents AccUnited Nations (ACANU), acanu.secretary@gm

NGO materials

NGO material (e.g. leaflets, publications, boards, banner

relevant to the theme considered by the Social Forum maydisplayed only on the tables and boards clearly marked fo(i.e. outside the plenary room).

Distribution of NGO material elsewhere in the Palais des Npermitted, including in the cafeteria and Serpentine Bar, a

public spaces.Materials containing abusive or offensive language or imapermitted on United Nations premises.

Material for display should clearly indicate the logo and fuconcerned NGO.

Side Events

Participants may organize side events to further contribute l ti t th th f th S i l F ti l l ith



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the planned side event (purpose, programmes, speake

for permission and room reservation.

Inside the side-event meeting room relevant NGO mateavailable with the agreement of the organizing NGO. responsibility of the organizing NGO to remove any redocumentation at the end of the meeting.

Interpretation for NGO side events is not provided by tNations. NGOs may bring their own interpreters, if theorder to do so, inform the Secretariat ahead of time.

Visual recording by accredited NGO delegates is permevents with the approval of the event organizers and up

notification to the Secretariat, subject to the following g

The Chair of the meeting should inform the participantsmeeting that it is being recorded; and

Photography (still and/or video) should not interfere wiof other delegates or disrupt the proceedings of the meshould be erected at the sides or the back of the room.

Use of the United Nations emblem

Use of the United Nations emblem on non-official docupublications, including NGO material is expressly proh

The United Nations flag may not be displayed in meetiNGOs organize events, except with the authorization oSecretary-General, requested through the Secretariat.



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Contact usThe Social Forum Secretariat can be contacted at:

[email protected]

OHCHRs Civil Society Section can be contacted at:

[email protected]: +41 22 917 96 56



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Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Palais des Nations

CH 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland

Telephone : +41 (0)22 917 90 00

Fax : +41 22 917 90 08

www.ohchr.org


THE SOCIAL FORUM OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

the social forum ofthe human rights council

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