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TENTH UNITED NATIONS CONGRESS ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS Background | Format and functions | Dialogue and decision-making | Venue | Languages | Participation and attendance procedures | Media and Press | Agenda and substantive issues | Workshop organizers | Combatting Corruption | Crimes related to the Computer Network | Women in the Criminal Justice System | Community Involvement in Crime Prevention | Ancilliary meetings | Useful contact addresses for NGOs | International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council | Documentation | National Reports | Travel The Congress format and functions In the statement of Principles and Programme of Action annexed to General Assembly resolution 46/152 (para.29), it is specified that the Congress should be held for a period of between five and ten working days, as the consultative body of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, and that it shall provide a
forum for the exchange of views between States, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and individual experts representing various professions and disciplines; the exchange of experience in research, law and policy development; the identification of emerging trends and issues in crime prevention and criminal justice; the provision of advice and comments to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on selected matters submitted to it by the Commission;
and the submission of suggestions, for the consideration of the Commission, regarding possible subjects for the programme of work of the United Nations in this field. One of the main functions of the Commission, set out in General Assembly resolution 46/152, is to prepare the quinquennial Congresses. The resolution stipulates that "the Commission shall select precisely defined topics for the Congresses in order to ensure a focused and productive discussion." (para. 30(b)). It also
specifies that "action-oriented research workshops on topics selected by the Commission, as part of the programme of a congress, and ancillary meetings associated with the congresses should be encouraged." (para.30.(d)). Accordingly, the Commission at its sixth session sought to limit the number of topics on the Tenth Congress agenda, and of the research workshops, to four each. This should permit the subjects chosen to be considered in depth. The General Assembly, in its
resolutions 52/91 of 12 December 1997 and 53/110 of 9 December 1998, approved the provisional agenda, workshops topics and other preparations for the Tenth Congress. Agenda items will be considered in plenary and in sessions of two Committees of the Whole. A high-level segment of the plenary is planned (on 14 and 15 April 2000) to allow heads of State or Government or government ministers to voice their views and recommendations on international cooperation in combating transnational
organized crime. The four workshops will draw on the experience of the last Congress, relying more on panel discussions than lecture-type presentations, with increased audience participation. Their results are expected to be practical, allowing Governments to follow up on their results with concrete technical cooperation projects or activities. In addition, demonstration sessions are foreseen on, for example, UNCJIN - the United Nations Crime and Justice Information Network (see: | |||||
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