Economic and Social Council - Anne

Economic and Social Council
Anne Hsu
10/13/09

1. Who: Economic and Social Council (Current president:
2. What:
-ECOSOC has 54 members, all of whom are elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term.
-The president is elected for a one-year term and chosen among the small or middle powers represented on ECOSOC. ECOSOC meets once a year in July for a four-week session.
-ECOSOC serves as the central forum for the discussion of international economic, social, humanitarian and environmental issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.
-The Council plays a key role in fostering international cooperation for development and in setting priorities for action.
3. When: established in 1945
4. Where: headquarter in United State, New York
5. Why: to assists the General Assembly in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development.
6. How:
-Viewed separate from the specialized bodies it coordinates, ECOSOC’s functions include information gathering, advising member nations, and making recommendations.
-ECOSOC is well positioned to provide policy coherence and coordinate the overlapping functions of the UN’s subsidiary bodies and it is in these roles that it is most active.
-Make or initiate studies and reports with respect to international economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related matters and make recommendations with respect to any such matters to the General Assembly, to the Members of the United Nations, and to the Specialized Agencies concerned; Make recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
-Prepare draft conventions for submission to the General Assembly, with respect to matters falling within its competence.
-Call, in accordance with the rules prescribed by the United Nations, international conferences on matters falling within its competence.
-Co-ordinate the activities of the Specialized Agencies through consultation with and recommendations to such agencies and through recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Members of the United Nations.
-Furnish information to the Security Council and assist the Security Council upon its request.
-The Council holds several short sessions, ad hoc meetings, round tables and panel discussions with the participation of non-governmental stakeholders throughout the year, to prepare for its four-week substantive session in July. The work of the Council is also carried out by its subsidiary and related bodies.


Reference: http://www.un.org/ecosoc/about/subsidiary.shtml
United State of Economic and Social Council