Under the overall theme of "Defining the Future", the panellists engaged in a free-flowing dialogue with the audience, guided by a number of questions put to them by the moderator.

What are the definitions of NGOs and of civil society? Are NGOs and civil society different? If so, how?

In response to the first question, Gillian Sorenson responded that the United Nations has no single definition for either NGOs or for civil society. NGOs eligible for entering into a consultative relationship with the UN now sometimes far different from the description of the traditional NGOs that first started this process some fifty years ago. Citing the example of the National Rifle Association (NRA), she said some NGO objectives even seem to run counter to the objectives of the UN. The accreditation process often leaves an imperfect understanding of what is an NGO and what consultative status is all about.

Civil society, by contrast, covers NGOs and many other sectors of society, she said. First of all it covers all those NGOs that are not in consultative relations with the United Nations as well as a vast array of governmental and quasi-governmental organizations, including local government and such organizations as the Inter-Parliamentary Union. While the exact status of many such organizations has not yet been settled, the UN clearly recognizes that they all offer special and needed expertise.

Macha Levinson said the term "civil society", whether or not it involves NGOs, implies first of all the exercise of citizenship and the realization of civic interests. Jean Freymond added that the private or business sector must also be included as it was also looking to create its own role with regard to the United Nations. Economic actors have their own significant role to play alongside the social activists. They may represent economic interests but many of them are also socially responsible.

In response to a question on how the different interests can be balanced, Gillian Sorenson responded that the UN clearly must find a way to increase its capacity to deal with the different actors of civil society. She stressed that such an increase in capacity in no way represents a threat to the traditional NGOs which are members of the Conference of NGOs. Given its years of experience, the Conference will continue to play a special role within a growing number of partners for the UN.

Nina Herzog (ICW) recalled that each UN/civil society partnership has its different characteristics. NGOs in particular represent "We the People" and grass roots organizations. In this context, she brought up the controversy regarding the admittance of national NGOs into consultative status when they are members of international NGOs which are already enjoying consultative privileges. Marek Hagmajer (WFUNA) recalled that we have clear definitions of NGO/UN relationships which are governed by transparent rules.

In response to a question of whether other members of civil society, such as the private sector, will also have to submit to these rules in order to establish the consultative relationship with the UN, Gillian Sorenson responded that many of such institutions are not actually looking for a special status with the UN at this time. They are simply often joining existing coalitions of NGOs in pursuit of their special interests. The UN recognizes that the business sector could conceivably represent an enormous potential for the work of the UN, but it is not known at this time what form such a partnership could take or if the business sector is even interested in entering such partnerships. She stated that the primary obligation of the UN at this time is to its accredited NGO partners.

Will governments ever truly accept national and international NGOs as partners?

In response Jean Freymond wondered to what extent this really mattered. Any partnership is only valid if it is based on content and effectiveness. True partnerships should not be based on special privileges. Unless partnerships are based on the realization of mutual interests of all of the partners, they become meaningless and may simply fade away.

For Gillian Sorenson a true partnership implied mutual respect and a joint effort. Macha Levinson stressed that it is the role of government to accept NGOs but that NGOs have to compete with each other in order to be heard. Those that work best with the media and are skilled in getting their message across will move ahead. For Afaf Mahfouz, true partnership is a dynamic process. She regretted that there is currently a predominance of corporate thinking while what we should strive for is a caring society. Jean Freymond cited the concern for equity, justice and fairness as coming predominantly from the older generation. Youth must also make its voice heard in this regard. Cyril Ritchie (IPPF and UIA) referred to the series of World Conferences during the early go's and that the implementation of the Plans of Action of World Conferences is in the hands of the NGOs. In this regard, questions were also raised as to whether NGOs themselves have a common strategy and whether they work in partnerships. It was suggested that the Conference of NGOs pay more attention internally, within its membership, to building more partnerships.

NGOs in government delegations were generally considered to have no real influence over governmental decision-making. NGOs are often by nature conflictual. Although NGOs must often defend human rights, they must do this with some degree of humility.

What type of interactions exist between the economic sector and NGOs?

This raised questions regarding the proper mix of private and public concerns. Macha Levinson said that private companies are most aware of the different forces of global players from both the governmental and the non-governmental sectors. She cited the fact that in the area of the environment, multinational oil companies have stated a dialogue with such non-governmental organizations as Greenpeace. Both Jean Freymond and Gillian Sorenson confirmed that the private sector is interested in dialogue with the non-governmental sector. It is also in the interest of business and its leaders to create a better world.

While NGOs were generally considered as watchdogs striving for the public interest, some cooperation with the business sector was considered to be necessary. But partnerships with government were also considered to be of paramount importance. The question was raised of how those parts of the population that suffer from social and economic exclusion could be enabled to enter partnerships and with whom? NGOs are often the only hope for those that are voiceless. It was commented that the spiritual dimension is often overlooked, yet it is needed by everyone. NGOs have no monopoly on spirituality. It is equally needed by the leaders of industry. In a world that is not divided, that is one, the spiritual dimension becomes well defined.

What is the future of UN reform and how do we assume our roles and responsibility as NGOs in the process? What are the models of good practice?

Panellists' opinions were divided, even to the point of asking: does the UN have a future? The general assessment was that the reform process was not moving fast enough but yet it is inevitable. One of the major concerns is of course the question of finance. One way to cut costs is to use information technology in cost effective ways. NGOs and more specifically the Conference of NGOs were viewed as being able to facilitate agreement on UN reform.

On the question of how to get NGOs involved in international work, it was stressed that national NGOs already develop global strategies. New and effective partnerships are being developed in spite of all the odds. Such partnerships are successful if there is a convergence of the aims and objectives; if there is a clarity of purpose; and if the importance of networking is properly recognized. The example of the International Campaign to Ban landmines was cited as an innovative partnership meeting these criteria. It involved individual leaders, NGOs cross-sectorally, yet it had no secretariat and no budget. The Internet was used as an effective tool in the Campaign.

It was stressed that the convergence of aims in any partnership should never be based simply on short-term expediency. It is usually necessary to take the longer view and establish long-term objectives. To have a clarity of purpose we need to know where we want to go. It was suggested that an inventory of best practices be created in order to learn from models of good practice. Further, it was recommended to create a databank of NGO expertise and to make it accessible to all NGOs, including those that are not yet linked to the global infrastructure of telecommunications.

For other recommendations which emerged from the discussion, see also the Resolution on the theme Defining the Future.