Not-for-profit partners

United Nations SOS-Kinderdorf International has been in "special consultative status" with the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations (UN) since 1995. Granted to international non-governmental organisations that share common objectives with the UN, this allows contributions to be made to the work of the United Nations. Within this framework, SOS-Kinderdorf maintains consultative status with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. It also works with other UN agencies and programmes; UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), UNDP (UN Development Programme, WHO (World Health Organisation), WFP (World Food Programme) and UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). Many national SOS Children's Village associations and regional offices collaborate with UN field offices. Cooperation agreements with UNICEF and joint activities with other local UN agencies aim to raise awareness and increase the impact of intervention to change the unfavourable conditions in which many children live. European Union SOS-Kinderdorf International holds a permanent ECHO framework contract with the Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Commission which allows us to work with ECHO in certain countries. SOS-Kinderdorf Inernational is also a member of VOICE (Voluntary Organisations in Co-operation in Emergencies), the largest European network of non-governmental organisations active in the field of humanitarian aid. In the field of development co-operation, SOS-Kinderdorf International is a full member of the EU-NGDO Liaison Committee. This group of NGOs works with the European Union on development policy issues. NGO groups SOS-Kinderdorf International is a full member of CONGO, the Conference of NGOs in consultative relationship with the UN. This organisation facilitates relations between non-governmental organisations and the UN. It is also a member of the New York based NGO Committee on UNICEF, a network of NGOs working with UNICEF and is a current participant in the sub-group working on children's rights. Close contact is maintained with the Geneva-based NGO Group for the Convention of the Rights of the Child. This body is a consultancy partner to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which reviews countries' compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. SOS-Kinderdorf International is also a member of the NGO Committee on the Family, a coalition of NGOs collaborating on family-related issues, which addresses the UN Commission for Social Development. Many national SOS Children's Village associations and regional offices participate in national NGO umbrella groups and networks on issues related to orphan and child care, child protection, rights, welfare and development. This collaboration and exchange of experience supports the integration of SOS Children's Village facilities and creates the basis for a joint response to social challenges. National governments and institutions Every SOS Children's Village association signs an agreement with the national government in the country where it works. Governmental and institutional co-operation extends to joint social, educational or development activities. In some countries, participation in the development of action plans or reform of child-related legislation enhances the impact of SOS Children's Villages.