Organized by UNCTAD in partnership with the host civil society organization in Doha, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), and with the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS), the Civil Society Forum will be held from 17 to 27 April 2012 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, as part of the official programme of UNCTAD XIII.
Plenary (17-19 April 2012)
Preceding the official opening of the Conference, the Plenary of the Civil Society Forum will provide an opportunity for representatives of non-governmental organizations, private-sector entities and academic institutions to discuss and share their views on issues related to the Conference agenda, to build consensus, and to finalize a Civil Society Declaration to be presented at the opening plenary of UNCTAD XIII.
Continuation of the Forum (22-25 April 2012)
The Forum will continue its activities in parallel to the Conference, featuring plenary keynotes, discussions, debates and workshops on particular issues of concern to civil society organizations, including enhancing their engagement in UNCTAD's activities.
As at previous conferences held in São Paulo, Brazil (2004) and Accra, Ghana (2008), participants will have the opportunity to interact and exchange views with leading experts and high-level personalities, such as the United Nations and UNCTAD Secretaries-General, Heads of States and of Governments, senior policymakers, and leaders in the private sector.
To bring forward the views of their constituencies to the debate on development-centred globalization, representatives from civil society will contribute to the opening and closing plenaries of the Conference as well as to its round tables and thematic sessions.
Participating organizations will also have the opportunity to organize workshops, seminars and other events to promote the activities of their organizations to the media and policymakers in Doha.
