[Vocabulary] consultative status

[Nathan Mckane]

Hello!

Would you please tell me what is the meaning of consultative status? I have already googled this term but the definitions are long and convoluted!

The international gypsy organisation has applied for UN consultative status, Roman union president Jan Cibula has announced yesterday. Mr cibula and 12 delegates representig gypsy groups from several
countries will meet for six days of talks at the UN's New York's headquarters at the end of February.

Thanks very much indeed.

 

[5jj]

Would you please tell me what is the meaning of consultative status? I have already googled this term but the definitions are long and convoluted!/QUOTE]
A crude over-simplification:
Officials of United Nations bodies (such as UNESCO, for example) are prepared to treat organisations awarded consultative status as serious, responsible bodies whose voice is worth listening to. Any UN effort to provide medical aid, for example, is likely to involve discussion with the International Committee of the Red Cross.