Highlights

The World Federation of United Nations Associations(orWFUNA) was created in 1946, inspired by the opening words of the United Nations Charter, "We the Peoples". Today, it is a global network of people linked together through United Nations Associations(UNAs) in over 100 United Nations member states. These networks enable people to connect on critical global issues, from peace and human rights to the spread of democracy, equal development and international justice. WFUNA is an independent organization with Category One Consultative Status at the Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC) and consultative or liaison links with many other UN organizations and agencies.

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is a pan-European alliance of 81 NGOs protecting and advancing the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons. Our mission is to promote the establishment of fair and humane European asylum policies and practices by international human rights law.

Working with our members and partners to inform and persuade European authorities and the public, we monitor and denounce human rights violations while proposing and promoting fair, effective, and durable solutions. We accomplish our mission through research, advocacy and sharing knowledge and expertise. ECRE strives for a Europe that protects refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons with dignity and respect. "Europe" refers to the broader geographic territory, and "Europe" is an actor giving access to protection and providing assistance in its region and outside. The term "protects" is defined broadly to encompass access to asylum, legal and physical protection and integration. "Refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons" to include all people seeking protection against their loss of rights due to displacement.

On Human Rights Day, December 10, 2003, the Executive Director of UNAG was honored with the 2003 Global Tolerance Award at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This award is presented annually by Friends of the United Nations, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the principles and values of the United Nations Charter and building supportive constituencies for the organization's work. According to Friends of the United Nations, the Global Tolerance Award is a "way of recognizing leadership and excellence" in those who answer the call "to practice tolerance and live together with one another in peace as good neighbors."

In his letter informing UNAG of the nomination of the Executive Director for the award, the President and CEO of Friends of the United Nations, Dr. Noel J. Brown, noted that the Global Tolerance Award for 2003 goes to UNAG for its "significant education projects to heighten public understanding of the role and meaning of the United Nations" as well as "online magazine Civil Georgia committed to promote a broader civil participation in public policy" and "several humane programs on behalf of refugee communities."

The coalition of national Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has worked for two years to develop an Ethics Code for Civil Society Organizations that spells out the principles CSOs are committed to and the performance standards they strive to achieve. The CSOs also charted the roadmap towards achieving these aims gradually. The Five Silver Principles are the initial elements of the roadmap, including transparency, financial diligence and accountability to beneficiaries. The coalition of national Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has certified that UNAG is one of the sixteen national CSOs to comply with the Five Silver Principles.