Date: 27 May 2008

Coordinator: Jean Gazarian

Objective
The main objective of this briefing is to enable representatives to familiarize themselves with the work and procedures of the Economic and Social Council.

Organization
Participants will be reviewing the functions, practices and procedures of the Economic and Social Council. They will also be briefed on the main issues before the Council and on the role of the President of the Council and informal consultations. The briefing will be highly intensive and will require the active involvement of all the participants throughout the course.

Participants
The briefing is designed primarily for representatives of those States that are members of the Economic and Social Council in 2008. Depending on the availability of seats, delegates from other States may attend as observers.

Resource persons
The briefing will be conducted by Mr. Jean Gazarian, UNITAR Senior Fellow. Presentations will be made by experienced diplomats who have served on the Economic and Social Council and by members of the Secretariat.

Working languages
Interpretation will be provided, to the extent possible, in the official languages of the United Nations.