Many of us, one could imagine, have come to civil society to right specific wrongs or to help imagine a better, more equitable world. It is mainly the reason for the success of each of my fellow Officers and Members. Yet, what thrills me, is to gather together under one umbrella: NGO service to the United Nations’ goals and mission.

Each of those we have met and now communicate with online represent the best of their nonprofits’ interests in UN activities. In fact, many NGO representatives are the true change-makers behind the scenes, who help the institution hear the reputable civil society voices across the globe.

The Global NGO Executive Committee (GNEC), like NGO/DPI before us, has heard that communication from both sides; indeed the sharing of useful communications is this NGOs raison d’etre. To that end, I think the work of the GNEC needs to be different than carrying forward any one NGO concern or aspiration. For a long time, especially through my time as Editor of the NGO Reporter, I have felt this NGO ought to be laser focused on All of us, All of the time.

In some ways, that dichotomy presents a challenge; it was Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle in quantum physics that stated we cannot lie both in the moment and in history. You cannot witness this Board’s term and assess its accomplishments, all at the same time.

So, it is with some uncertainty but also excitement, that the GNEC turns more towards a representative agency, rather than staunch activists ourselves promoting strong positions that are being echoed elsewhere in the UNs extended community.

For me, at least, and hopefully others, I wonder how we may become better producers, create more community among the associated NGOs: presenting their voices while representing their collective interests. I am excited to find ways to strengthen who they are, even beyond what they may be addressing so eloquently, today.

It feels new, and good, to do quiet work that helps fill vacuums in any communications and relevant actions between the UN Department of Global Communications and their associated NGOs. In fact, it might be most effective to associate the GNEC itself at this anniversary with UN DGC, so we are more closely meshed with the other global NGOs and of course the staff and team at UN DGC (who are so helpful to the associated NGOs we all hope to empower).

With that in mind, please do become familiar with and access the new services we are rolling out through 2022. I hope to help us do the quiet work that a representative agency ought to excel at, and add value to your organization and its communications wherever we may best serve.

Shhh! Women and Men at Work, Quietly, for You.

Patrick Sciarratta President, GNEC Senior Fellow, World Development Foundation President@gnec.ngo