The United Nations headquarters in New York has conferred Special Consultative Status on Vicar Hope Foundation under the UN Economic and Social Council.
With this status, Vicar Hope Foundation can have observers and representatives at the United Nations General Assembly, the UN ECOSOC, the Human Rights Council and public meetings of other United Nations intergovernmental bodies.
The conferment of the special consultative status is contained in a letter addressed to Vicar Hope Foundation from the United Nations and signed by Marc-André Dorel,
Acting Chief, NGO Branch Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
According to the United Nations, organizations in general and special consultative status like Vicar Hope Foundation are able to submit written statements relevant to the work of the Council on subjects in which these organizations have a special competence. These statements may be circulated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the members of the Council. The United Nations Secretary-General may also request organizations in consultative status to carry out studies or prepare papers.
Reacting to the development, according to the Chief Press Secretary to Wife of the Governor, Chika Ojiegbe,the founder of Vicar Hope Foundation, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu said the recognition will give greater impetus to the Foundation’s work on women empowerment. She was also quoted as saying the Consultative Status will increase opportunities for greater collaborations with local and foreign NGOs and increase the capacity of Vicar Hope Foundation to deliver on its mandate beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Devoted to social philantropy,Vicar Hope Foundation has built some 59 houses
for indigent Abia women and the vulnerable.
