Date: Friday, August 16, 2013
Category: General

Thanks to support from the Non-Governmental Organizations Branch of the United Nations, and the work of RESNA volunteers and RESNA President Alex Mihailidis, the organization was granted special consultative status by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at their July 2013 session.  

Consultative status enables RESNA to actively engage with the ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nationals Secretariat, programs, funds and agencies in a number of ways. It includes:

• Participating in the work of the ECOSOC, including placing items of interest on the provisional agenda of the Council, submitting statements (written and oral), and attending meetings;
• Designating official representatives to the UN, who can register for and participate in events, conferences, and activities of the United Nations;
• Consulting with the ECOSOC and subsidiary bodies on matters of mutual interest or concern;
• Ability to use UN facilities in matters related to the work of the ECOSOC. 

"Achieving this recognition is a major achievement, and allows RESNA to expand its presence in the international arena," said President Alex Mihailidis. "We look forward to forging new relationships with other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and entities within the United Nations that share our common interest of improving access to technology for people with disabilities."