ELSA's status with International Institutions
The European Law Students’ Association has gained a good name and reputation in the international legal community. ELSA is known in the world of International Organisations and ELSA still makes international institutions aware of the fact that in case they are looking for a partner among students’ organisations for co-operation, there is ELSA to rely on.
ELSA has gained consultative status with several United Nations bodies. In 1994 ELSA was granted Consultative Status in Category C in UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), in 1997 ELSA obtained Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council). In addition UNCITRAL (UN Commission on International Trade Law) is inviting ELSA delegations to participate in their sessions.
Furthermore, in 2000 ELSA was granted Participatory Status with the Council of Europe. This cooperation was further widened with the signing of a Human Rights Partnership between Council of Europe and ELSA in 2008.
Futhermore, ELSA has a co-operation agreement with UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees). In October 2005 ELSA obtained Observer Status with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Cooperation with the international institutions gives ELSA-members outstanding opportunity to attend the sessions of the international organisations and to receive a special practical experience.
Every ELSA member has a unique opportunity to apply in order to be a member of the ELSA International delegation.
ELSA International requires the candidates to be equipped with good knowledge of the work of the institution as well as good level of awareness about ELSA work gained by attending and organising ELSA events.
ELSA International Delegations
ELSA International has a special status in the United Nations, Council of Europe and is developing cooperation in numerous international organisations around the world. Cooperation with the international institutions gives a special opportunity for ELSA members to become a part of a delegation of ELSA International and participate the working groups and other similar sessions of International Institutions.
ELSA sends delegations to:
UN ECOSOC United Nations Economic and Social Council - Commission on the Status of Women, the sub-commission on Human Rights, the Commission for Social Development and of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
UNCITRAL – UN Commission on International Trade Law
Session I – Working group on Procurement
Session II – Working Group on International arbitration and conciliation
Session III – Working Group on Transport law
Session VI – Working Group on Insolvency law
Assembly of State Parties of the International Criminal Court
Council of Europe - International Non Governmental Organisations (INGO)
Committees:
Civil Society and Democracy
Culture, Science and Education
Human Rights
Europe and Global Challenges
Gender Equality
WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization
Standing Committee on the Law of Patents
Provisional Committee on Proposals Related to the WIPO Development Agenda.
How to be a delegate for ELSA?
Calls for delegations are announced via the International ELSA-info list, and the news section, it will also be automatically updated in the
Candidate for a delegation has to be a member of ELSA. In addition a delegate has to have adequate knowledge about the work of the respective institution, as well as sufficient knowledge and experience in the field of ELSA work.
What to do after being elected as a delegate?
Delegates have to be well prepared for the sessions; therefore the delegation is working together couple of months before the event. During this period the delegates do research concerning the main topic of the session and current activities of the organisation/institution.
After the event each delegation prepares a detail report of the session. The report is published by ELSA International.
