Since its foundation the Council of Europe has developed working relations with non-governmental organisations which: (i) directly represent the general public, (ii) are relays for efficient mutual communication, (iii) can furnish advice and take action. In most areas, the Council of Europe works in close co-operation with non-governmental organisations which it considers an essential part of the democratic process. The Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38 specified that the Council of Europe could grant “consultative status” to international NGOs which are particularly representative in the field(s) of their competence at European level, and which through their work are capable of supporting the achievement of closer unity as stated in Article 1 of the Statute of the Council of Europe, by contributing to its activities and by publicising its work among European citizens. Resolution (2003)8 adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 19 November 2003, replaces “consultative status” with “participatory status”. When NGOs are granted this status, the steering committees, committees of governmental experts and other bodies of the Committee of Ministers, may involve the INGOs enjoying participatory status in the definition of Council of Europe policies, programmes and actions in particular by granting observer status to the Liaison Committee and to the INGO thematic groupings. In English and French.(Original source: http://www.coe.int/t/e/ngo/public/participatory_status/_summary.asp#Top…)
