Mary Balikungeri, Director and Founder, Rwanda Women's Network

I am writing in response to a message received regarding Civil society comments to the above-mentioned subject.

My name is Mary Balikungeri, Director and founder of Rwanda Women's Network. Rwanda Women Network is non-governmental, non-profit making organization dedicated to promoting strategies that empower Rwandan Women. For more information please pay us a visit at www.rwandawomennetwork.org. We are pleased to make a contribution in terms of comments to this report.

First and foremost, we welcome the General Secretary's report, the fact that it is focussing on the Civil Society participation (meaningful) in the UN System and CS impact towards social change is a major goal and achievement. It is true, CS has had frustration within the system and one can say that this a positive beginning because frustrations have been acknowledged and commitment to see change is there.

We welcome this move and we are proud. This gives us incentives to take more keen interest in the UN more so at the field level. In order for such reform to begin, I urge the reform to begin within your field offices because this is where business is. There will never be any achievements to these recorded goals if your field offices are not brought on board. They have to acknowledge the work done by local organizations, however small, they have to acknowledge their efforts because this is the only way UN offices will be able to measure impacts of their presence in the field. Field offices need to shift from report writing to more programme/project focus. Their focus should be result oriented. We wish more attention should be focused on upscaling development activities geared towards pauverty reduction, we care about women's health matters, understanding the processes of the UN, Advocacy and Networking will be a major contribution to the success of this future direction and this is what can bring meaningful partnerships.

In conclusion, the move to integrate CS in the workings of the UN is exciting but it must be felt more so at the field level and we look forward to that. We are also looking forward to the upcoming preparatory process and its outcomes. Kindly keep us posted and we will look forward to further collaboration with your Liaison Services.

Yours sincerely,

Mary V. Balikungeri Director and Founder Rwanda Women's Network P.O. Box 3157 Kigali Rwanda Tel/Fax (250)583662 www.rwandawomennetwork.org