I have talked a great deal about NGOs but not given much detail…

NGOs are known at the U.N. as non-governmental organizations. They are often considered the most effective means for the voices of ordinary people to be heard in the international arena. NGOs are considered necessary because the U.N. is a large system of complex human machinery that remains rife with politics and bureaucracy. NGOs usually work multi-nationally and include the most outspoken and apolitical advocates of human rights, the environment, social programs, women's rights and more.

During this first meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, the role of NGOs in promoting human rights and exposing human rights abuses has been hotly debated. It`s been suggested, the previous Human Rights Commission did not often make room at the table for these human rights advocates. During this meeting of the Human Rights Council, the NGOs are demanding a greater presence and a strong voice in addressing global human rights.

Earlier in our Geneva experience, we met with a number of Geneva-based NGOs. We learned NGOs were simply international social advocacy groups or public relations agents. In addition to legitimate NGOs, the community of advocates includes what is pejoratively described as G-NGOs--government-backed non-governmental organizations... or NGOs in sheeps' clothing. Additionally, we were told about another unsavory group called: B-NGOs--or groups who claim to be NGOs but are really funded by big business.

Below is a summary of a few of the groups we met.

IFHR (International Federation of Human Rights) We interviewed Alexandra Pomeon O`Neill, an international lawyer of the organization. This international NGO has defended human rights since 1922. The organization, more prominently recognized as FIDH, or the Fèdèration Internationale des Lingues des Droits de l`Homme, was created by French and German human rights leagues.
http://www.fidh.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=350

OMCT (World Organization Against Torture) The director of OMCT, Eric Sottas, told us about a just-completed report that examines why torture is acceptable in some countries but not in others. The report suggests a link between economic and social difficulties with the acceptance of torture. He also shared with us his musing about the new Human Rights Council. He wasn`t entirely optimistic.
http://www.omct.org/index_en.cfm?CFID=3806933&CFTOKEN=298542

COHRE (Center on Housing Rights and Evictions) Jessica Marasovic met with us at her office. She told us her organization is working to promote housing rights for everyone everywhere. A great deal of what her organization provides is free legal advice for victims of forced eviction.
http://www.cohre.org/

LID/LIP (International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples) Verena Graf, Secretary General of this organization explained few NGOs deal with collective or group rights the way her organization does. "We consider ourselves an organ for those who have no voice in the U.N.," she said. She added the U.N. represents states, not people. Her organization has been considered mercenary by some governments because it gives voice to all people struggling for a voice at the table.

In addition to NGOs, we also meet with several U.N. diplomats, including:

Alaska Native Peoples—Ambassador Ronald Barnes represents the major native tribes of Alaska. He explained in great detail how his fellow Alaskans should not be considered part of the United States. He described a treaty signed in 1887 where the United States clearly said Alaska was a sovereign state. He told us about his quest to bring this evidence to the Council in July.

French Diplomatic Mission—The U.N. French Ambassador, Jean-Pierre François, Rivasseau, welcomed us to the French embassy in Geneva on a quiet afternoon. We sat in a beautiful conference room as he told us about how France and the U.S. are not as far apart as we might have assumed.

Turkish Diplomatic Mission—First Secretary, Selcuk Unal described his country`s quest to join the European Union. We reminded us the Turkey has more in common with the West than we might think. His country was the first Muslim country to recognize Israel, he said. He added, "By the way, we don`t have tails."

Through these interaction with various Geneva NGOs and embassies we gained a greater understanding of the internal mechanics of international relations—-from those feeding the machine.