Join the Confederation of Humanitarian Nations

One unified registration pathway for individuals, entities, organizations, communities and institutions

The Confederation of Humanitarian Nations (CNU) brings together subjects of different legal nature, size, origin and fields of activity, united by a shared commitment to human dignity, cooperation, non-violence, solidarity, the protection of fundamental rights and responsibility toward communities.

Individuals, civil-society organizations, entities, trusts, foundations, associations, NGOs, communities, peoples, institutions and other subjects compatible with the CNU Statute may establish an institutional relationship with the Confederation.

To make the process simpler, more transparent and more consistent, all applications now begin through one unified registration pathway.

Applicants therefore do not need to select a specific form or procedure in advance.

The system collects the initial information concerning the applicant and, during registration, automatically identifies the appropriate pathway according to the applicant’s nature, declared objectives and the type of relationship requested with the Confederation.

Who Can Apply

Individuals and Human Rights Defenders

An individual may approach the CNU in order to participate in its humanitarian activities and, where the relevant requirements are met, undertake the accreditation pathway as a Human Rights Defender (HRD).

Becoming a CNU Human Rights Defender means assuming a concrete commitment to the peaceful protection of fundamental rights.

Activities may include:

  • observation and documentation;
  • responsible reporting of possible human-rights violations;
  • education and awareness activities;
  • participation in humanitarian projects;
  • cooperation with CNU Missions, Commissions, Boards and institutional structures;
  • support to communities;
  • continuing training;
  • participation in operational activities only where permitted by the individual’s role, training and applicable authorization.

CNU HRD status constitutes an internal accreditation within the Confederation and does not automatically confer police powers, judicial authority, diplomatic status or immunity.

Human Rights Defenders are required to act through peaceful, documented and lawful methods.

Entities, Associations, NGOs, Foundations and Trusts

Organizations and collective entities may apply when operating, among others, in the following fields:

  • humanitarian action;
  • social development;
  • education;
  • culture;
  • health;
  • environmental protection;
  • science;
  • sport;
  • community development;
  • international cooperation.

This category may include, for example:

  • associations;
  • non-governmental organizations;
  • foundations;
  • humanitarian or socially oriented trusts;
  • public or private entities;
  • international organizations;
  • cooperatives and social organizations;
  • academic institutions;
  • committees;
  • organized communities;
  • traditional or spiritual organizations pursuing peaceful objectives;
  • other collective entities compatible with the CNU Statute.

The CNU admission framework provides for verification of the legal or constitutive documentation of collective applicants, their organizational structure, their actual activities and their compatibility with the principles of the Confederation.

The unified registration pathway will therefore request the documentation actually required according to the type of organization concerned.

This may include:

  • constitutive documents;
  • Statute or internal regulations;
  • registration documents;
  • details of authorized representatives;
  • organizational chart;
  • activity reports;
  • completed or ongoing projects;
  • reasons for applying;
  • declaration of adherence to the CNU principles and Ethical Code.

Submission of an application does not automatically result in admission.

Every application is subject to the verification procedures established by the CNU institutional framework.

Confederated Members

Entities seeking to become a stable part of the Confederation may apply for admission as Confederated Members, according to the categories and procedures established by the Statute.

Admission creates a more structured institutional relationship with the CNU and may allow, according to the status granted:

  • participation in confederal activities;
  • access to common programmes and projects;
  • participation in Assemblies according to the applicable rules;
  • cooperation with Boards, Commissions and Missions;
  • submission of proposals and projects;
  • participation in international cooperation programmes;
  • access to tools and services provided through the network;
  • registration in the relevant CNU Registers.

Final admission takes place exclusively through the bodies and procedures established by the CNU Statute.

Consultative Status

Not every organization wishing to cooperate with the CNU must necessarily become a Confederated Member.

NGOs, associations, committees and other organizations may, where appropriate, be directed toward consultative status.

Consultative status allows participation in specific consultation and cooperation activities without automatically granting the deliberative rights associated with Confederated Membership.

Within the Council for Social Policies (CEPS), for example, consultative status may allow admitted organizations to participate in Council activities, submit proposals and documents and cooperate in organizing initiatives and workshops.

The new registration system will therefore assess automatically whether an application is more appropriately directed toward:

  • Confederated Membership;
  • Observer status;
  • consultative status;
  • project partnership;
  • another form of cooperation provided for within the CNU framework.

This means that an organization does not need to understand the Confederation’s entire administrative structure before applying.

States, Governments and Public Institutions

The CNU may also receive requests for membership, cooperation or participation from:

  • States;
  • Governments;
  • Ministries;
  • public authorities;
  • territorial administrations;
  • other institutional actors.

For such applicants, the registration pathway assumes an institutional character and is adapted accordingly.

Depending on the circumstances, applicants may be asked to provide:

  • official communication from the competent authority;
  • institutional letter or diplomatic note;
  • identification of the authorized representative;
  • declaration of intent;
  • identification of proposed areas of cooperation;
  • reference to the applicable legal framework;
  • any proposed protocol, agreement or Memorandum of Understanding.

Membership or cooperation with the CNU does not alter the sovereign prerogatives of a State or replace its institutional structures.

The Confederation operates through cooperation, dialogue and programmes of common interest.

Peoples, Communities and Cultural Minorities

The CNU Statute also contemplates participation by peoples and self-determined communities and allows the Confederation to support the principle of self-determination through peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

Applications may therefore be submitted by:

  • peoples;
  • historical communities;
  • cultural communities;
  • traditional communities;
  • stateless nations;
  • indigenous peoples;
  • ethnic, linguistic or cultural minorities;
  • organizations legitimately representing such communities.

The CNU considers self-determination to be a serious, documented and non-violent process.

An application may therefore require information concerning:

  • historical and cultural identity;
  • continuity of the community;
  • representativeness of the proposed governing or representative bodies;
  • organizational structure;
  • effective participation of community members;
  • historical and legal documentation;
  • protection of internal minorities;
  • respect for fundamental rights;
  • commitment to non-violence;
  • purpose of the application.

The procedure may involve the CNU bodies competent in matters of self-determination.

Admission or recognition within the CNU produces effects within the internal confederal order.

It does not automatically establish State sovereignty, modify international borders, create citizenship or nationality, or generate recognition by third States.

Self-Determination and Participation in the CNU

A community does not need to seek independence in order to participate in the Confederation.

Self-determination may also be expressed through:

  • protection of cultural identity;
  • internal self-government;
  • political participation;
  • protection of linguistic rights;
  • preservation of traditions;
  • economic and social development;
  • community organization;
  • international cooperation;
  • institutional representation.

The CNU therefore clearly distinguishes between:

community identity,
autonomy,
self-determination,
a possible declaration of independence,
statehood,
and
international recognition.

These are different legal and institutional concepts, and every situation is assessed individually.

The Confederation gives priority to dialogue, mediation, cooperation and peaceful mechanisms.

Principles Applicable to All Applications

Regardless of the applicant’s category, participation in the CNU requires compatibility with the fundamental principles of the Confederation.

These include:

  • human dignity;
  • respect for fundamental rights;
  • non-violence;
  • legality;
  • institutional neutrality;
  • transparency;
  • non-discrimination;
  • cooperation;
  • responsibility;
  • respect for cultural diversity;
  • environmental protection;
  • ethical conduct.

Subjects or activities promoting violence, discrimination, extremism or objectives incompatible with CNU humanitarian principles are not eligible for participation.

You Do Not Need to Know Which Pathway to Choose

This is the central feature of the new registration system.

Applicants do not need to determine in advance whether they should register as:

  • HRD;
  • individual;
  • association;
  • NGO;
  • trust;
  • foundation;
  • organization;
  • Confederated Member;
  • Observer;
  • consultative organization;
  • community;
  • people;
  • public institution;
  • Government;
  • another category recognized by the Statute.

There is one single entry point.

During registration, the system asks progressive questions and, based on the answers provided, identifies the appropriate procedural branch.

The information requested therefore changes dynamically.

An individual will not receive the same questions as a Government.

An association will not be required to complete the sections intended for a self-determined community.

An entity seeking only consultative status will not automatically be required to complete the entire procedure applicable to a Confederated Member.

How the New Registration Pathway Works

1. Applicant Identification

The system determines whether the application comes from an individual, an entity, a community or an institutional subject.

2. Identification of the Intended Relationship

The applicant is asked what type of relationship they wish to establish with the CNU.

3. Personalized Pathway

The system opens only the sections relevant to the applicant’s category.

4. Documentation

Only the documents necessary for the identified pathway are requested.

5. Preliminary Review

The application is checked for formal and documentary completeness.

6. Assessment

The file is automatically directed to the competent CNU body according to the Statute and applicable regulations.

7. Additional Information

The applicant may be asked to provide additional documents, clarification or to participate in an interview or hearing.

8. Decision

The competent body determines the outcome of the application according to the applicable procedure.

9. Registration

Where the application is approved, the applicant is entered into the relevant CNU systems and registers according to the status actually granted.

10. Access to the CNU Network

The admitted applicant receives the information, tools and access rights associated with their specific role or status.

A Transparent and Verifiable Process

Every application is handled consistently with:

  • the CNU Statute;
  • the Ethical and Diplomatic Code;
  • applicable regulations;
  • internal verification procedures;
  • confidentiality and data-protection principles;
  • applicable law.

The CNU may request additional documentation and verify the information submitted.

Online registration constitutes the beginning of the assessment procedure and must not be interpreted as automatic admission, recognition, appointment or accreditation.

Only the successful completion of the applicable procedure produces the relevant status within the Confederation.

What Status Will I Receive?

There is no single answer applicable to every applicant.

Depending on the nature of the applicant and the outcome of the assessment, the registration pathway may result, where provided by the Statute and regulations, in different forms of participation, including:

  • Confederated Member;
  • Individual Member;
  • Observer;
  • Consultative Status;
  • HRD Accreditation;
  • Confederated Organization;
  • Community or People registered within the confederal system;
  • Project Partner;
  • another form of institutional cooperation recognized by the CNU.

The final status is always expressly communicated.

No title or qualification other than the one formally granted may be used by the applicant.

Why Join the CNU

Joining the Confederation means participating in an international network oriented toward practical cooperation.

Depending on the status granted, opportunities may include:

  • developing joint projects;
  • participating in missions and programmes;
  • cooperating with other organizations;
  • contributing to CNU Commissions and Boards;
  • accessing training activities;
  • developing institutional relations;
  • submitting proposals;
  • participating in humanitarian activities;
  • contributing to the protection of human rights;
  • developing international and territorial networks;
  • contributing expertise, experience and resources toward common objectives.

Participation in the CNU also entails responsibilities.

Every member or accredited subject must respect the Statute, the mandate received and the limits attached to the status granted.

One Single Entry Point

Individuals, organizations, communities and institutions no longer need to choose between different registration forms.

There is one single point of access to the Confederation.

The new registration system will automatically identify the appropriate pathway and guide the applicant only through the stages relevant to their profile.

One pathway. Different forms of participation. One Confederation.

[ START REGISTRATION ]

Completing the registration pathway initiates the CNU assessment procedure and does not constitute automatic admission, recognition, appointment or accreditation.