The Michael Trust's support of UN today is through the focus to bring people together like-minded NGO's from across the world especially those that are in consultative status with the UN to improve mutual respect between cultures and to support civil society working for a common future for tolerance and respect in matters relating to religion and belief with the emphasis on a persons right to health, quality of life and to ensure that the use of religion or belief is consistent with the Charter of the United Nations.
The Michael Trust is non government organisation (NGO) accepted and registered at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Civil Society database. The first venue by which non-governmental organizations took a role in formal UN deliberations was through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In 1945, 41 NGOs were granted consultative status by the council; by 1992 more than 700 NGOs had attained consultative status and the number has been steadily increasing ever since to 3,900 organizations today. Although The Michael Trust does not have the need to apply yet for consultative status we do enjoy through our United Nations Committee a close relationship and participate in meetings and members contribute and participate in UN forums.
Article 71 of the UN Charter opened the door by providing suitable arrangements for consultations with non-governmental organizations. The consultative relationship with ECOSOC is governed by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, which outlines the eligibility requirements for consultative status, rights and obligations of NGOs in consultative status, procedures for withdrawal or suspension of consultative status, the role and functions of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs, and the responsibilities of the United Nations Secretariat in supporting the consultative relationship.
Consultative status is granted by ECOSOC upon recommendation of the Committee on NGOs, which is comprised of 19 Member States.
