NGO FORUM to the ECOSOC High-Level Segment
on
"Rural Development"

Friday 27 June 2003

Palais des Nations, Room XI

Final Report of the Forum - 27 June 2003

Summary of key recommendations to the ECOSOC HLS
from the NGO Forum - 27 June 2003

Photos of the NGO Forum - 27 June 2003


AIDE MEMOIRE NGO Forum - 27 June 2003

NGO Forum Programme - 27 June 2003

Registration for NGO Forum - 27 June 2003

16 April 2003 : Report of the NGO Forum and NGO Recommandations
for the High Level Segment of ECOSOC, organised in New York.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) takes great pleasure to invite you to a one-day NGO Forum or working session preceding the high-level segment (HLS) of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to be held in Geneva on 27 June 2003 entitled: “Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development”. The high-level segment is part of the regular substantive session of the Council (30 June – 2 July 2003)

The High-Level Segment (HLS) of ECOSOC is a summit during which major policy decisions are taken by Heads of State, Ministers and Heads of UN Agencies. In 2001 CONGO organized the first ever NGO Forum to the HLS, in order to allow NGOs to express their recommendations to policy makers. Last year the Forum was held in New York – ECOSOC substantive sessions alternate between New York and Geneva – and the report can be found at the following internet address: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/hl2002/ngoforum.htm

The purpose of the Forum is to focus on rural development and to bring into official deliberations field experiences of NGOs and grass-root organizations in the light of the Millennium Development Goals. It has a particular significance as three quarters of the world’s poor live in rural areas. Expected outcome recommendations will be delivered to the HLS - and we hope - be included into the Ministerial Declaration. Forum participants may also want to organize or finalize additional side events during the HLS and/or present their position papers.

NGOs have recognized the opportunity given by the HLS to interact with key players, including, among others, the heads of UN Agencies and International Financial Institutions. ECOSOC has highly valued their contribution.

Rural development will be approached in a multi-sectoral and integrated way, covering agricultural and social development, economic and employment promotion, education, participation and the perspectives of rural women. In this context it will also assess the impact of past UN conferences and commitments - particularly the Millennium Development Goals - from a rural development perspective.

During the HLS, Ministerial Breakfast Roundtables will be held, co-chaired by Ministers of Rural Development and Development Cooperation and Heads of UN Agencies, to which key representatives of civil society will also be invited.

For more information, please refer to the UN website on the ECOSOC HLS: http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ecosoc/hl2003/Docs.htm

CONGO recognizes your interest in development issues and looks forward to your participation and valuable contribution in this event.

We attach herewith the program and the application form. Since space for participation is limited, we kindly ask you to fill out the attached registration form and to send it back to us a soon as possible but no later than 15th June.

With best wishes,

Renate Bloem
CONGO President