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| On Experience Capitalization of NGO National Platforms (NPF) |
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Unless you indicate otherwise, the information obtained from this questionnaire can be put online in the International Resource Centre Web site.Please contact us for any further clarification or information. |
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| Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) |
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History and missions of the NPF |
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Working and governance of the NPF |
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Internal and external relations of the NPF |
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Other comments on your NPF |
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| I. HISTORY AND MISSIONS OF THE NPF |
| 1) HISTORY OF THE NPF |
| a) Can you describe the important elements related to the creation of your NPF (determining events: famine, arrival of international NGO's, political crisis…)? 10 lines or more |
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| The early eighties was a time of uncertainty for the voluntary sector. Emergency, political instability, JP Movement, Kudal Commission, tightening of FCRA and other ripples that found an echo in the national scene in the second half of seventies had sowed dissensions among people and organizations weakening their collective resolve to work for social stability and people's welfare. Against this background, a new concept of forming a state sponsored commission for the voluntary organizations was mooted. The commission was to act as a watchdog for the voluntary sector. It was a time of distrust and a period of emotional outbursts.
In April-May 1986, news spread about a proposed legislation to classify genuine & non genuine NGOs. The NGOs in India raised their voice against this move. Popularly known as Battle for Code of Conduct , it was the first incidence when NGOs from all over India assembled in Delhi to discuss their autonomy. They took a momentous decision to create a national forum for protection, enrichment and growth of voluntarism in India .
VANI evolved later out of this mobilization in 1988 to give collective voice to the experience, achievements, sufferings, hardships, hurdles and togetherness of individuals in the voluntary sector in India .
VANI's primary role in the voluntary sector is aimed at creating an enabling environment for the sector. It summarily focuses on the following four instruments: |
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Advocacy : VANI campaigns for a conducive legal and fiscal environment for the Indian voluntary sector in the national and state levels. |
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Networking : VANI promotes and establishes state level networks for more impact and coherence in dealing with development issues. VANI's recent project in this area is its involvement with the Poorest Area Civil Society programme (PACS). |
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Information collection, analysis and dissemination : Central to VANI's advocacy work is providing information on policies and programmes of the Government and donor organisations to its members (especially those that work at grass-roots level). Information is disseminated through its bi-monthly newsletter Civil Society Voices. VANI publishes books, monographs, conference proceedings and primers on themes concerning NGOs and civil society in general. |
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Capacity Building : VANI provides training on advocacy, NGO governance and management and facilitates exchange of ideas through forums and seminars. VANI holds an annual convention that is organised around a theme that is relevant and useful to its members. Experts and leading figures in civil society and government are invited to speak or conduct seminars and workshops. |
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| b) Can you describe the major changes in your NPF (extension of term, increase in membership and activities, crises if any )? 10 lines or more. |
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| Since its inception, VANI has consistently undergone a strategic planning process every two to three years to envision the future and plan accordingly. These processes were aimed at making VANI relevant to the rapidly changing social, political and economic scenario. The strategic plan of VANI includes four main areas of intervention: |
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Influencing National Government policies |
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Influencing Multilateral and Bilateral Donor Agencies' policies and programmes that impingine on Civil Society's role in promoting empowerment, rights and livelihood for the poor and disadvantaged. |
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Improving Governance in Civil Society Organisations. |
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- Building and Strengthening State Level Coalitions. |
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| In addition to this, VANI has been going through a process of change in its work on issues also: |
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VANI membership has increased from 30 at the time of its inception to 298 at present |
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New member services have been started. The needs of the members were assessed through a membership survey. |
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VANI is currently active in lobbying, capacity building, research and publication, promotion of good governance among civil society organisations and adding new dimension to it work is the GO-NGO partnership and consultations on Bilateral Aid.
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| c) What are the strengths of your NPF at present? |
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| VANI derives its strength from its network of members and since its reach spreads to all corners of the country, the government has to take VANI seriously since VANI has the capacity to mobilise the Civil Society on issues that it takes up for national deliberation. |
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| VANI is regarded as a genuine southern voice in the international arena and through networking with important international organisations VANI is able to raise awareness on various national issues; ensure that the climate in the country regarding developmental issues is productive; ensure support of organizations such as Commonwealth Foundation/ Commonwealth Secretariat, etc; convince government representatives on various issues of national importance. |
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| d) What are the shortcomings or areas to be improved? (For example, in terms of institutional or organizational reinforcement, in matters of communication, strategy, financial management…) |
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| V ANI is at present unable to work on all the needs of its members for which it is currently conducting a membership survey to assess the areas that need to be worked on at a priority basis. |
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| VANI is at the moment not able to take positions on all the issues that require its attention. It is making efforts to expand its expertise to other areas and try and make important contributions for the Indian Voluntary sector. |
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| 2) MISSIONS OF THE NPF |
a)What services does your NPF offer its members? Indicate in a detailed manner the objects and activities carried out (types of training and counsel, means of communication…) – 10 lines or more |
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| Membership within VANI provides an extensive selection of services meant to enhance the capabilities and knowledge of member organizations in order to strengthen the overall effectiveness of the civil society sector. Members are offered the opportunity to participate in useful training courses and workshops, discussion panels, conferences and lectures on a broad range of relevant issues. They are able to utilise VANI as their voice and their gateway to donors, the media, politicians, civil servants, international agencies, industrial and economic leaders, and other NGOs. Most importantly they will become involved in a partnership, a network, which criss-crosses uniting all members together in a group working towards the ultimate aims of the civil society sector. Over the years, members have been getting good quality of services as listed below. |
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Magazine– VANI's quarterly 'Civil Society Voices' magazine is a premium publication for the voluntary sector containing legal matters, government notifications and a number of articles on different important civil society issues. It has become immensely popular and is found very useful by CSOs, government departments, ministries, academic institutions, funding agencies and by all our members and their networks. |
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| e-VANI – A monthly web-based newsletter e-VANI provides updates on VANI's activities and programmes. It offers resources which are of use to development professionals as well as information on government policies, funding and forthcoming events such as training programmes, conferences and consultations both here and abroad |
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Research and Publications – VANI also produces other useful voluntary sector related priced publications for sale, which we provide free to our members. Many of them are based on intensive research relevant to the voluntary sector. A comprehensive list is given in our publication section on our website. |
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Annual Convention - Members attend our Annual Convention, which is an ideal occasion for networking, education, entertainment and sightseeing. The Annual Convention of VANI is the flagship event of the calendar year. |
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Website - All our registered members have the privilege of being listed free in the Members Directory on our website www.vaniindia.org with their profile and facility to change/update their profile whenever they feel the need. We also give links to URL of our member organizations on VANI's website. This helps them gain visibility both nationally and internationally. |
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Also members can access updates on all VANI programmes/activities on timely basis and information related on policy issues, issues related to Governance in NGOs, Networking, Circular/ Notifications issued and notified by the Government, Proceedings of conferences/seminars and on other issues – gender, rural technology, information technology, etc. |
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Representation & lobbying - VANI is the authentic voice of the voluntary sector in India and lobbies for all voluntary sector matters before the Central & State Governments. We are particularly active in presenting various policies, regulations and advisories through our annual pre-budget memorandum and throughout the year. By sharing views and problems, our members help us in representing their specific matters and the issues facing the voluntary sector more effectively to the Central & State Governments and their agencies. |
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| Information service - VANI secretariat maintains a database and facts on global & Indian voluntary organizations and also keeps information on various aspects of the voluntary sector including sector specific NGOs, NGO academic institutions consultants and consultancy firms involved in the voluntary sector. Such information is communicated to our members generally through the VANI magazine and specifically on request from any member. |
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| b) Does your NPF take a stand on policies of the government, regional or international institutions? YES If so, which ones ? In which field (education, health, Human rights…) ? How ( meetings with Ministries, letters to the editor, organization of seminars…) |
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| As part of VANI mandate, it only intervenes in policy matters that have been stated in the mandate. |
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FCRA |
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Income Tax Act |
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National Policy for the Voluntary Sector
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| VANI raises it voice by various methods: seminars, workshops, national conventions, media, publications, meetings with ministries and planning commission, etc. [details given in I(a)] |
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| c) How are your stands translated into action (organization of campaigns, creation of a committee or permanent working group within the NPF …)? |
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| Joint campaigns, meetings, dialogues, media campaigns, creation of a committee board of directors, and speacialists from government, academia, etc. |
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| II WORKING AND GOVERNANCE OF THE NPF |
| 1) WORKING OF THE NPF |
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| a) What is the legal status of your NPF? Has it been declared or registered with the authorities? Which laws govern NGOs in your country? ? Do different laws apply according to the type of organization (NGO, association, unions, collectives)? Give details – 10 lines |
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| Registered under Societies registration Act of 1860. Also acquired the FCRA registration. |
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| The laws for Indian NGOs are: |
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Societies registration Act 1860 |
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Income Tax Act 1961 |
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Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 1976
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Employment Provident Fund Act 1952 |
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| These laws apply to all kind of voluntary organisations |
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| b) What are the decision making bodies of your NPF ? (General Body ? Board of Directors ? Executive Committee ? Ethics Council ?) How are these bodies designated ? |
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| The main decision making body is the General Body and the Bard of Directors. The general body elects the board of directors. The board of directors in turn select the Chief Executive Officer for the secretariat. |
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| c) Rules of Procedure and Code of Professional Ethics |
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Does your NPF have Rules of Procedure? YES (If so, attach the document) |
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Does your NPF have a Code of Professional Ethics or any similar document ? NO If so, attach the document) |
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Have you applied the Code of Professional Ethics or Rules of Procedure in the past 5 years ? If so, give details: |
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| d) What are the criteria for membership of your NPF ( membership fees, charter membership, participation in a committee or a working group, mission in the field of Development or Human Rights…)? |
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| Membership Criteria |
Organisations, network federations and individuals that meet the following criteria are provided the membership of VANI: |
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Voluntary development organisations including women's and youth's organisations (excluding religious and political organisations, corporations [local and foreign], government agencies, funding agencies, family trusts and international organisations); |
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Organisations that regularly publish/print annual and audit reports. |
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Legally registered and democratically functioning organisations working for the promotion of development |
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Individuals with a track record in voluntary action and currently not working with any voluntary organisations (maximum 15% of the total existing membership base). |
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e) Are there any international organizations among your members (associations, NGO, movements) ? YES If so, how many? Are they organized in a specific manner within the NPF? |
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f) How do the members receive information about the activities of your NPF and its members (letters, e-mails, meetings, Web site, Intranet …) ? |
| Web site, letters, e-newsletters, meetings of the committee, General Assembly |
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| 2) GOVERNANCE OF NGO NATIONAL PLATFORM |
a) How are the members of the Board of Directors elected? What are the functions of the Board of Directors (strategic planning, monitoring activities and the budget…)? Give details. |
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| Board of Directors are elected by the General Body during General Body meetings. Members of the Board of Directors are elected by the General Body from amongst themselves. Each Member has one vote by person. Incase of equality of votes, the Chairperson has the right of casting a vote. |
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| Powers/Duties/Functions of the Board of Directors: |
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The Board of Directors elect a Chairperson and Treasurer from among itself for a period of 3 years. |
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The Board of Directors appoint the Chief Executive Officer. |
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All powers of administration, management of funds, supervision and implementation of programmes vest with the Board of Directors. Whenever necessary, it may delegate its powers to other sub-committees, or to the Chief Executive Officer.
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The Board of Directors has the power to admit Members, and to terminate membership and to fix the quantum of membership fee. |
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The Board of Directors has the power to appoint staff (or may delegate the same) according to such terms and conditions that it may frame from time to time; shall execute all the activities and programmes decided by the Working Committee; may also take disciplinary actions, including dismissal of staff. |
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The Board of Directors has the power to constitute sub-committees as and when required, and to define their powers and functions. |
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The Board of Directors has the responsibility to conduct General Body meetings, elections, auditing, etc. of VANI. |
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The Board of Directors shall ensure that the accounts of the Society are maintained as per law. |
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| b) What are the functions of the General Body? Give details. |
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| Powers, Duties and Functions of the General Body |
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to approve the Society's annual report. |
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to pass the Society's audited accounts. |
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to appoint the Society's auditors.
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to approve the Society's annual programme and budget. |
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to elect the Board of Directors of the Society from amongst its Members. |
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to establish overall policies for the working of VANI. |
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to be responsible for overall vision and thrust of VANI |
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| c) Are there other governing bodies in your NPF ? YES / NO If yes, what are their functions ? |
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| III. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE NPF |
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| 1) RELATIONS WITH THE MEMBERS |
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| a) RELATIONS WITH THE MEMBERS |
| 2004 : 286 |
| 2005 : 287 |
| 2006 : 295 |
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| b) Do you have working groups or theme based committees? YES If so, on which themes do they focus? (e.g. gender issues, health, Millennium Development Goals, access to funds…)? |
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| c) Do you assess the expectations and needs of your members ? YES / NO If yes, how? |
| YES. Through a member survey. |
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| 2) RELATIONSHIP WITH SPONSORS |
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| a) Does your government formulate a policy of NGO capacity reinforcement ? What are the arguments justifying this policy ? For your government, what are the specific functions and missions of NGOs, which justify funding NGO capacity reinforcement ? |
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| b) Is there a specific funding system for NGO capacity reinforcement in your country (e.g. funds, specific onations) ?- If so, what type of capacities are supported ? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this funding ? |
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| If not, how can the NGOs finance their capacity reinforcement (personnel training, research, strategic plans, review of organization …)? |
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| c) Who are your sponsors ? For each sponsor, on which projects are you working together and for how long ? Give details |
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ICCO- Netherlands: Stregthening the Voluntary Movement in India; 4 years |
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Ford Foundation: Stregthening the Voluntary Movement in India; 4 years |
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DFID: Building a network of VOs for promotion of civil society Poorest Area Civil Society; 3years
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| d) How do you assess your relations with your sponsors (easy or complex approach and dialogue, problems of co-funding, flexibility or not, project pace, assessment, unsuitable issues, problems of funding overheads …)? |
| No problems with funders so far. |
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| 3) RELATIONS WITH OTHER ASSOCIATIONS, NGO'S |
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| a) Do you have relations with international NGOs, international networks, NGO national platforms of countries other than yours ? YES / NO If yes, specify which ones and the type of relation :: |
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| YES |
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Coordination SUD: Project on Non-governmental diplomacy |
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CIVICUS: VANI is on the steering committee of AGNA (Affinity Group of National Associations) and has special consultative committee status on ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council) |
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ABONG, CONGAD and ACCION: Project on Non-governmental diplomacy
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| b) Are there other NPF or NGO national networks in your country? YES If yes, which ones? Do you work with these NPFs and / or national NGO networks? YES If yes, on which themes and projects? |
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| YES. These are issue-based. We refer to them for information and expertise at times. |
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| IV OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR NPF |
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