The United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) is an inter-agency programme of the United Nations mandated to promote and develop constructive relations between the United Nations and civil society organizations.
The United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) promotes dynamic partnerships between the United Nations and non-governmental organisations. By providing information, advice, expertise and consulting and support service, NGLS is part of the United Nations effort to strengthen dialogue and win support for economic and social development.
For over thirty years now the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) has played a major role as part of the UN system’s machinery for engaging with NGOs and civil society by providing a UN system-civil society interface and facilitating a number of innovations to UN system polices and practices towards its non-governmental constituents. In 1982 the UN General Assembly recognized and endorsed the role and work of UN-NGLS for the first time, and, in 1993, the General Assembly again recognized the value of UN-NGLS’s work.
Core activities of UN-NGLS include: information and communication outreach to the international community and to global civil society; supporting the UN system in developing productive relationships and partnerships with NGOs and civil society; and supporting the work of NGOs/civil society that seek to constructively engage with the UN system.
Since 2000, UN-NGLS has accelerated its pace in providing services for both the UN system and its civil society constituents by providing substantial input to all of the major UN events involving NGOs and civil society organizations. During these processes UN-NGLS has organized and conducted briefing and orientation sessions and workshops and has co-hosted NGO consultations with a number of UN agencies, programme and funds to raise awareness around substantive themes under discussion, and to provide an exchange of views.
In 2006 UN-NGLS provided considerable support to both the UN system and civil society in many different areas of its expertise, ranging from support to office of the President of the General Assembly in the series of the GA Interactive Informal Hearings (AIDS; International Migration and Development; Least Developed Countries), to organizing consultations around the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN System-wide Coherence, to an NGO conference entitled “Reform of the International Institutions.” Also noteworthy for 2006 was NGLS’s four-week online consultation calling for NGO views and responses to the Secretary-General’s Report on International Migration and Development and the production of a synopsis of those results.
UN-NGLS produces and disseminates its bi-monthly electronic news bulletin, the Civil Society Observer, to a listserv that has grown to over 9,000 subscribers. Its flagship newsletter, the Go Between, and more in-depth articles, Roundups, are also regularly disseminated in both electronic and hard copy.
The information produced by UN-NGLS combines public information on UN and NGO events and issues, practical “how to” guides to the UN system for NGOs, and substantive analysis of issues on the international agenda. As part of its outreach activities, UN-NGLS also disseminates information on a range of activities on the UN agenda to NGO electronic mail networks and listservs. For more information visit the Publications page.
Elisa Peter is the Deputy Coordinator and Chief of the New York office of the UN-NGLS (and Officer in Charge of the Service since 1 October 2007). Prior to joining NGLS, she worked for FAO as a policy analyst and for several NGOs as manager, coordinator and consultant on issues ranging from global environmental issues to organizational development and advocacy campaigns. She holds an MSc degree in agronomy from the National Superior School of Agronomy in Toulouse, France.
Beth Peoc’h joined NGLS in Geneva in September 2001 as editor of NGLS’s publications. Prior to that, she worked for Smithsonian Magazine in Washington DC as advertising production manager, and in the Economics and Trade Unit at the United Nations Environment Programme in Geneva. She enjoys the fast work pace NGLS provides, which helps keep her in shape for when she finds time to run marathons. She holds a BA in journalism and creative writing from Oklahoma State University (US).
Zak Bleicher joined NGLS in New York, April 2006, as a Program Associate to work on NGLS publications and research ongoing UN related issues and events. Prior to joining NGLS, Zak served as an aide to Michigan State Senator Robert Emerson before crossing over to the NGO sector as an editor and program consultant for a variety of organizations in the U.S. and the U.K. Zak attended the James Madison College at Michigan State University (US) where he earned a dual BA in International Relations and Political Theory/Constitutional Democracy. Zak’s studies took him to Beijing, China as well where he studied US-China relations with Chinese graduate students at Renmin University.
Flore-Anne Bourgeois joined NGLS in November 2007 as an Associate Programme Officer. She is in charge, among other things, of the development and strengthening of NGLS’ outreach to French-speaking countries and civil society groups. Prior to joining the NGLS, she worked as Junior External Relations Officer at the World Trade Organization and as a research and programme assistant for several non governmental organisations, including the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. She also served as a teaching assistant, for three years, at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. She holds a B.A. from the Strasbourg Institute of Political Studies in France and a M.A. in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.
Jolanda Groen joined NGLS in Geneva in October 2008 as an Associate Programme Officer. Prior to joining NGLS, she worked as a Junior Lecturer at Utrecht University, teaching writing and research skills, human geography and international development. She holds a B.A. in International Tourism Management and Consultancy and a M.A. in International Development Studies - with a specialization in decentralization and participatory governance processes.
Lawrence de Laubadère joined NGLS in New York, January 2008, as Programme and Office Assistant, and works to ensure the well-functioning of NGLS’ logistical and administrative areas. Before joining NGLS, Lawrence was an Executive Assistant Store Manager at Walgreen’s Co. in Los Angeles, California. He graduated with an International Business B.A. and Psychology Minor from The Ohio State University, and is currently studying towards a Professional Global Affairs Certificate at NYU’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies. His academic path has allowed him to live in France, England, and the United States. He speaks French, English, Spanish, and is currently learning Mandarin Chinese. Lawrence’s two beloved hobbies, when time and weather permit, are snowboarding and skydiving.
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