The role of civil society in the UN at 80

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Geneva Office and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), with the support of the Permanent Missions of Chile, Colombia, Ireland, Norway and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have organized a High-Level Conference on the Role of Civil Society in the UN at 80 on the occasion of the 2025 International Human Rights Defenders and International Human Rights Days. 

The event was an opportunity to present the key findings and messages of a critical analysis that FES and ICJ have developed in the recent months and to discuss the current state of play with the UN reforms, in respect of the role of civil society in the preservation of a democratic order, the rule of law and human rights.

Program

Introductory remarks by:

• H.E. Ambassador Tormod Endresen, Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN in Geneva
• H.E. Ambassador Doreen Debrum, Permanent Representative of the Marshall Islands to the UN in Geneva
• H.E. Ambassador Gustavo Gallon, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the UN in Geneva
• H.E. Ambassador Noel White, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN in Geneva
• Ms. Renate Tenbusch, Director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Geneva Office
• Mr. Santiago Canton, Secretary General of the International Commission of Jurists

And interventions by:

• Patrizia Scannella, Independent Consultant
• Ghazali Ohorella, Maluku Human Rights and Legal Consultant IITC
• Zuzanna Muskat-Gorska, Legal Officer ITUC
• Pooja Patel, Deputy Executive Director ISHR
• Raphaël Viana David, Programme Manager China & Latin America ISHR 

Moderator: Sandra Epal-Ratjen, International Law and Human Rights Advocacy Specialist ICJ

On the occasion of this event, H.E. Ambassador Gustavo Gallón, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the UN in Geneva delivered a video statement. In the below message Ambassador Gallón reflects on the role of civil society under the UN80 reforms and stresses the importance of defending civic space.