On the Road to 2016:
The Role of Civil Society in Contributing to
International Drug Policy
Mr. Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director,
Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs
Content
I. UNODC strategic partnership with NGOs on drug-related issues
II. Presentation of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC)
III. On the Road toward 2016 – The Role of Civil Society
Engaging with NGOs: a successful strategy
The Beyond 2008 initiative provided NGOs a platform to reflect on their
own achievements and limitations, exchange ideas and make
recommendations to the UN for the 2008 UNGASS review.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Inclusive: participation of 900 NGOs (through an online questionnaire,
regional consultations and a NGO Forum)
• Global: representation from 115 countries
INDEPENDENT EVALUATION: “participatory, relevant and efficient.”
On the Road towards 2016:
The Role of Civil Society
Milestones: UNGASS 2016 and final review of the Political
Declaration and its Plan of Action in 2019.
Partnership: Joint UNODC – VNGOC project.
Objective: Facilitate NGO participation in preparations and at
UNGASS 2016.
Primary Target Group: Ensure broad participation of NGOs from
developing countries.
Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 57th session
Fourth Inter-sessional Meeting
Consideration of the implementation by the Commission of CND resolution 57/5 on “Special session of
the General Assembly on the world drug problem to be held in 2016”, including briefings by UNODC
Michel Perron, Chair of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs &
Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
About VNGOC
•Collaborating with the CND and UN system since mid 1980’s
•Austrian registered global network of +140 Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) working in the field of drug abuse.
•Many members represent umbrella groups with international
reach and representation including, inter alia:
• World Federation of Therapeutic Communities – WFTC
• European Cities Against Drugs – ECAD
• International Drug Policy Consortium – IDPC
• Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America – CADCA
•Members represent a diversity of views among the entire
range of services and programs including, prevention, harm
reduction, treatment and recovery at the policy and program
level.
VNGOC’s 2014-2017 Strategic Objectives
1.Develop NGO capacity to engage
UN member states and relevant UN bodies
2.Create opportunities for NGO engagement
with UN member states and relevant UN bodies
3.Advocate for NGO inclusion in international drug policy
decision-making
4.Present a global NGO voice at key strategic events
VNGOC Consensus Positions
• VNGOC has facilitated several comprehensive consultations over 20 years
among its members. Recent examples include:
• Beyond 2008 Declaration and resolutions (www.vngoc.org)
• Global submission on input (www.undoc.org) to the 2014 JMS
development process
• Written Statement to the 2014 High Level Review
• Endorsed by +70 NGOs with ECOSOC General, Special, Roster status
and other NGOs
• Briefing to High Level Delegates on the Outcome of the informal Civil
Society Hearing held in Cooperation with the UNODC, WHO and with
Honorary Chair: H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden
• Theme: Addressing Drug Abuse together through a Health Based
Approach as part of the International Drug Control Conventions
VNGOC plans towards UNGASS 2016
•Collaborate with UNODC On the Road towards 2019: The Role of Civil
Society in Fostering Social Innovation
•Advance global NGO discussions on priorities including Addressing Drug
Abuse together through a Health Based Approach as part of the
International Drug Control Conventions
•Increase the number and diversity of NGOs contributing to the
preparations for and at UNGASS 2016.
• VNGOC Committee undertaking appointment of regional
coordinators to broaden reach and engagement of members.
•Contribute to preparations for and at UNGASS 2016
• Bring forward NGO input into relevant processes and discussions
• Host two Civil Society Hearings@ CND 58 & 59, and 1 specific Pre
UNGASS event
• Advance innovative NGO/MS Collaboration Platform entitled
Marketplace.
What is Marketplace?
• A Social Entrepreneurship model that links
NGO Expertise and Needs with Priorities of
the Political Declaration and Plan of Action.
• An innovative online platform offering new
forms of investment opportunities focused
on specific funder priorities.
• A means to dramatically increase the speed
from Priority identification to on the ground
implementation.
• An opportunity to (re)define a relationship
with NGOs into a strategic relationship
working towards common objectives.
An
NGO
Marketplace
to match readily available
services with existing needs
elsewhere.
The intended result?
A demonstrable decrease in
the drug prevention and
treatment Impact Gap
Going forward
• We need financial and in-kind MS support to ensure a diverse and
meaningful participation of NGOs in the preparations for and at
UNGASS 2016.
• We need to know from you, how VNGOC can best support your needs
– as MS and the CND?
• We encourage you to identify and help us connect with your national
NGOs.
• VNGOC remains at your disposal to maximize all opportunities
presented by UNGASS 2016.
THANK YOU
UNODC Civil Society Team: ngo.unit@unodc.org
Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs: info@vngoc.org