UN Headquarters, New York City . UNITED SIKHS has become the first Sikh advocacy, humanitarian relief and human development Non Governmental Organization (NGO) to be associated with the United Nations, through its Department of Public Information (DPI).

In a letter addressed to UNITED SIKHS, dated 12th December, the head of the NGO section of DPI, Juan Carlos Brandt, said, “The committee on NGOs met in December…and I am pleased to inform you that the committee approved UNITED SIKHS for association with the department, effective immediately.”

“This is a significant achievement on behalf of 25 million Sikhs who will now be able to fully participate in global initiatives according to the Sikh principle of Sarbat Da Bhela, selfless service,” said Mejindarpal Kaur, UNITED SIKHS director.

UNITED SIKHS filed an application to be associated with the UN through the DPI earlier this year and had to satisfy stringent requirements.

“Our application was supported by UN agencies such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), with whom we worked during our Tsunami relief operations in Sri Lanka. We also had the support of other UN associated advocacy and multifaith NGOs with whom we have done projects,” said Mejindarpal Kaur.

UNITED SIKHS joins about 1,500 NGOs who are associated with DPI, which gives the UN valuable links to people around the world. Through this association, the DPI will help UNITED SIKHS gain access to and disseminate information about the issues in which the United Nations is involved, so that the Sikh public can better understand the aims and objectives of the world organization and support its work.

NGOs have been partners of DPI since its establishment in 1947. The NGO Section of DPI is part of DPI’s Outreach Division, and acts as its liaison to the UN. It provides a range of information services to civil society and other partners, including the academic community, educational institutions, and the public at large.

The programme of the NGO Section includes, inter alia, weekly NGO Briefings, the Annual DPI/NGO Conference, Communications Workshops, and an Annual Orientation Programme. Mr. Brandt said that UNITED SIKHS’ accredited representatives will be entitled “access to United Nations facilities and to all open meetings of the United Nations bodies, which they can attend as observers. Representatives are also invited to attend the Thursday NGO briefings organized by the Department, featuring United Nations officials, Government delegates and other experts, including NGOs.”

The DPI/NGO Section oversees partnerships with associated NGOs to better support the work of the UN. NGOs that are associated with the DPI have to show that they have a commitment and the means to conduct effective information programmes with their constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities.

To become associated with the DPI, UNITED SIKHS had to:

• show support and respect the principles of the Charter of the UN and have a clear mission statement that is consistent with those principles;
• be recognized nationally or internationally;
• operate solely on a non-for-profit basis and have tax-exempt status;
• have the commitment and the means to conduct effective information programmes, with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities;
• have an established record of continuity of work for a minimum of three years and should show promise of sustained activity in the future;
• have a satisfactory record of collaboration with UN Information Centres/Services or other parts of the UN System prior to association;
• provide an audited annual financial statement, conducted by a qualified, independent accountant;
• have statutes/by-laws providing for a transparent process of making decisions

Issued by
Meerat Kaur
Director
UNITED SIKHS
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