A/HRC/35/28 status. Therefore, it is commendable when States institutionalize dialogue between civil society and the authorities, as they have in Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Mexico, the Republic of Moldova and Romania. 5 By contrast, closing space for civil society, including by introducing subtle restrictions, such as choreographed consultations with hand-picked participants that fulfil procedural rather than substantive requirements, undermines democracy. 27. In a globalized world, decisions made by actors in one country can easily affect the livelihoods of people in other parts of the world. Transnational corporations wield immense power and control resources much larger than the incomes of many countries. In the Special Rapporteur’s view, civil society’s ability to act transnationally means it plays an indispensable role in counterbalancing this power. 28. Although many multilateral organizations have opened up some space for civil society in their deliberations, more needs to be done to recognize civil society as having a stake equal to that of other non-State actors.6 International and local NGO participation in multilateral forums allows views that State delegations may not favour or represent to be expressed and local voices that may otherwise be obscured by international interests to be heard. 29. For example, the World Trade Organization’s current nominal engagement with civil society fails to take advantage of civil society’s capacities and experiences, such as the representation of marginalized voices and innovative ideas to advance development. 7 Civil society has fared better within the framework of the Financial Action Task Force. In particular, the Global Non-Profit Organizations Coalition on the Financial Action Task Force (a civil society coalition that works on Task Force issues) has made progressive gains in voicing concerns relating to the adverse impact on non-profit organizations of international policies on counter-terrorism and money laundering. The Platform has most recently helped non-profit organizations achieve representation on the Task Force’s Private Sector Consultative Forum which, although it primarily consists of representatives from the business sector, regularly discusses issues affecting the non-profit sector.8 30. Meaningful participation requires that decision-making spaces should, in principle, be open and accessible to all, including to civil society in all its diversity. These spaces include geographical and physical locations at which meetings and consultations are held, as well as structural conditions that facilitate or hinder participation. The General Assembly recently granted observer status to the International Chamber of Commerce, in order to give greater opportunities to the business community to contribute to the realization of the goals and programmes of the United Nations.9 It is telling that the equally important role of trade unions and civil society organizations is not similarly recognized. 31. Case studies involving informal workers in Brazil, Colombia, India and South Africa — mainly women performing low-wage unprotected work such as street vending, waste collection and home-based labour — found that improving livelihoods often relies on beneficiaries taking on leadership roles, equipped with opportunities and the ability to represent their own interests. 10 The successes of these groups capitalized on civil society’s strengths, such as a bottom-up approach that encourages participation, community mobilization and partnerships with capacity-building and technical resources to build dialogue and develop negotiation skills. The ability to exercise the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association was also central to these successes. 32. Civil society is also a significant contributor to the economy, particularly through the employment and volunteer opportunities it provides. A survey of 16 countries indicated 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 See contributions of Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Mexico, the Republic of Moldova and Romania. See https://www.globalpolicy.org/images/pdfs/GPFEurope/Corporate_Influence_on_ the_Business_and_Human_Rights_Agenda.pdf. Erin Hannah, James Scott and Rorden Wilkinson “Reforming WTO-civil society engagement”, World Trade Review, available at http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/63983/. See http://fatfplatform.org/latest-news-4-seats-pcf/. Resolution 71/156. Contribution of Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO).