【慈幼通訊社
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2009年10月14日意大利羅馬訊】
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經過聯合國經濟和社會理事會（ECOSOC）最後一輪評審階段後，VIS——其中唯一的意大利非政府組織，在一百個從事國際合作、接受評審的組織中，從這個享有聲望的聯合國機構獲得「特別協商身份」。
這次VIS獲確認，表示這個慈幼會士發起的國際性教育組織，經二十多年的努力，尤其是透過基礎教育以至後大學培育，從事對抗貧窮、宣揚人權的介入及計劃，獲得肯定。事實上，VIS獲得的地位，比所期望的還要高，成果確實令人深感滿意。
聯合國經濟和社會理事會ECOSOC扮演著諮詢性角色，能把一些經濟、社會問題議案，包括與保障人權有關的，提交國際層面討論。聯合國經濟和社會理事會ECOSOC尤其能夠透過建基於人文發展及基本自由上的國際合作，去從事改善生活質素，使經濟、社會有所進步，以及解決有關健康、經濟及社會問題的工作。
VIS有關人權方面的負責人Carola Carazzone解釋說：「作為鮑思高網絡(DBN)的成員，VIS獲ECOSOC的確認，有著相當的重要性。這表示非政府組織有能力在公民社會中扮演積極角色，並能成為國家及國際層面，推動宣傳保障人權的橋樑。此外，這也表示VIS能參與聯合國人權理事會的工作，理事會正以全新方式，進行普遍定期審議（UPR），以監察各國政府。」
VIS得到確認，亦符合包括VIS在內的鮑思高網絡國際聯會的審慎策略。聯會因著VIS從事以人權為基礎(HRBA)，領導聯會中各成員發展的富豐經驗，予以信賴。VIS因著能與最高國際機構ECOSOC進行官方接觸，得以加強上述功能。
VIS主席暨DBN副主席Massimo Zortea表示：「這份確認既表示對這組織一向以來的工作質素予以肯定，同時也賦予一份巨大的責任，要展開籌備特別行動方案計劃，並要以完全實踐為目標。」
14/10/2009 - Italy –VIS accredited by ECOSOC
(ANS – Italy - Rome , 14 October 2009 ) – At the last working session of ECOSOC, the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, VIS, the only Italian NGO among the 100 examined which are concerned with international cooperation, obtained Special Consultative Status at this prestigious Body of the UNO.
This is an important recognition which comes as a reward for more than twenty years commitment by VIS as a Salesian inspired international educational agency, engaged in interventions and programmes in the fight against poverty and the promotion of human rights, in particular through education at all levels, from basic schooling to post-university formation. A further cause for satisfaction is the fact that VIS has obtained a higher status than was expected.
ECOSOC has a consultative role and can present proposals on economic and social questions and those relating to the protection of human rights at world level. In particular, it is engaged in the improvement of the standard of living for economic and social progress and in the resolution of problems related to health, the economy and to social questions through international cooperation based on human development and the fundamental freedoms for all.
“Accreditation by ECOSOC for VIS, a member of the Don Bosco Network (DBN), has considerable significance” –Carola Carazzone, the one responsible for Human Rights for VIS explained. “It is an indication of the capability of the NGO to be an active part of civil society and to be a link between work in the field and activity in promoting and protecting human rights at national and international level. In addition it means it is able to take a part in the Council for Human Rights at the United Nations, which is now working on a new way of monitoring all the States (Universal Periodic Review – UPR)”.
Accreditation also corresponds to a deliberate strategy of the DBN International Federation of which VIS forms part. The Federation has entrusted to VIS, thanks to its long experience, the task of guiding the maturing process of all the associates in the approach to development based on human rights (HRBA). Official communication with the highest international institution, ECOSOC, is an essential part of this process.
“This recognition is like a privilege which comes as a reward for the quality of the work so far undertaken, but it is also a great responsibility, for which we are preparing ourselves with a specific action plan aimed at exploiting it to the full” Massimo Zortea, President of VIS and Vice-President of DBN remarked.