NOTE FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF CANADA ON THE "STUDY OF THE
POSSIBLE GRANTING OF STATUS TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
(NGOs) AT THE OAS"

H.E. Denneth Modeste
President of the Permanent Council
of the Organization of American States

April 29, 1994

Dear Ambassador Modeste,

I am writing to request that the topic "Study of the Possible Granting of Status to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) at the OAS" he placed on the Agenda of the next Permanent Council Meeting.

I take this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration

Jacques Créte
Charge s´affaires, a,i.

STUDY OF THE POSSIBLE GRANTING OF STATUS TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS AT THE OAS

 The Government of Canada requests that the topic "study of the Possible Granting of Status to Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) at the OAS" be included on the Agenda of the Permanent council of the Organization of American States.

Under this topic, Canada would suggest that the Permanent Council study the substantive and procedural aspects of the possible granting of status to NGOs at the OAS.

Some of the aspects that Canada views should be studies include:

1. The positive and negative aspects of the possible granting of status to NGOs.
2. The status of NGOs in other multilateral organizations.
3. Different possible types of status that could be granted to NGOs at the OAS, including different possible privileges and responsibilities that could be included with the granting of status.
4. Conditions, requirements and procedures under which NGOs could apply for status.
5. Possible required changes to OAS rules, regulations and other instruments needed to grant status.

Canada believes, that were status granted to NGOs at the OAS, that there would be positive repercussions for the Organizations. NGOs could act &s a source of specialized knowledge and information on various issues which would assist the saber states in their discussions and in the development of multilateral responses to the challenges facing the hemisphere. NGO's, through their links and contacts, would assist in disseminating information about how the OAS is being strengthened and is tackling the priority issues facing the hemisphere

Canada believes that granting status to NGOs at the OAS assist the organization in the promotion and consolidation of representative democracy in the hemisphere.