The Working Group on Minorities

The WGM has open access to minority NGOs. The vast majority of minority NGOs are community based, grassroots organisations who do not have 'ECOSOC status' – the special UN registration required for NGOs to be able to attend virtually all UN meetings. Most minority NGOs would likely find it impossible to get ECOSOC status because their government would veto their application. The WGM is different, granting participation to NGOs without ECOSOC status. This open participation is invaluable in bringing the voices of minorities directly to the UN.

Over the last 12 years, representatives of minorities have raised their issues at the WGM and held discussions with their government representatives, often for the first time.

Very often the outcomes of NGO participation in the WGM occur after their return to their home countries and the WGM itself and the states that criticise it in particular, are unaware of its achievements.

Minority Rights Group International conducted a survey of NGOs who had participated in the WGM. 84% said that making a statement on issues affecting their communities at the WGM had helped their advocacy in their own country and 56% said it had improved the way the authorities viewed their organisation. Many people surveyed said that after participating in the WGM the national authorities took their organisation more seriously, resulting in new or improved dialogue on the issues.