Social Participation in Foreign Policy

Event discusses the influence NGOs have on the international action of their countries

The landscape of multilateral forums has changed for good: in the corridors where only diplomats and insiders used to circulate, it is now possible to find activists, human rights defenders and representatives of a wide range of causes. This reconfiguration, which is partly the result of the emergence of new actors and powers on the international stage, is a clear sign of the role that Foreign Policy now occupies on national agendas.

But what does this mean in practice? What can civil society organizations do to increase their participation and their influence in the international affairs of their countries?

An event organized by Conectas with the support of Civicus (South Africa), the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (India) and Forum-Asia will discuss this issue at the 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council, to be held from June 10-27 in Geneva, Switzerland. Diplomats will share a panel will activists to discuss strategies and good practices for relations between States and organizations before, during and after multilateral meetings.

The latest issue of SUR Journal, #SUR19, will also be launched at the event. The issue addresses precisely whether the foreign policy of emerging countries promotes or violates human rights.

The meeting will take place on June 10, at midday, in Room VIII of the Palace of Nations.