This month the TRIALOG team is dedicated to preparing the Partner and Strategy Meeting of EU13 development CSO platforms and other consortium members, which will take place from 3rd to 4th of December 2012 in Vienna.
The event will start with a Partner Meeting where the coordinators and liaison officers of the EU13 platforms will discuss practical issues related to the implementation of the new TRIALOG project phase. The second day will be dedicated to the exchange of information and the identification of synergies for joint actions. The updated information of each platform will be made available on the country pages on the TRIALOG website.
We are happy to announce the new TRIALOG information leaflet which gives an overview of the activities planned for the next three years; it is available for download here (pdf).
In the TRIALOG office Vienna we welcome Ulrike Bey, who is back from maternity leave.
The current team members are:
Christine Bedoya – Director: c.bedoya@trialog.or.at
Pilar Lendl – Project Assistant: office@trialog.or.at
Ulrike Bey – Capacity Building Officer: u.bey@trialog.or.at
Rebecca Steel-Jasińska – Liaison Officer: trialog@concordeurope.org
Elisa Romero – Information Officer: information@trialog.or.at
In almost all EU13 development CSO platforms the liaison officers, financially supported by TRIALOG, have started to work on increasing the capacities of their platform and members to engage in important European policy exchanges.
Information provided by Elisa Romero, TRIALOG
Friday, 16 November 2012
Launching the first national AidWatch Report in Romania
The International Day for Eradicating Extreme Poverty (17th of October) was marked in Romania by the launch of the first national AidWatch Report – “Romania’s performances as ODA donor, 2007-2012”. For Romania, this is an innovative advocacy tool which emphasizes both the ODA progresses and challenges (related to legislation, funding mechanisms, transparency and support given to the civil society organizations).
The national report provides a very complex view of the 5 years as donor, taking into consideration the international commitments, the national strategic framework of the development cooperation policy, the main actors involved and analyzes the amount of funding spent on ODA projects and activities. A special attention is given to Republic of Moldova, one of the Romania’s main partner countries, with a chapter focused on the Romania ODA disbursed in this country.
Even if the legislation on ODA funding has recently been updated (through Governmental Decision 1052/2011), there is still need for an implementation unit to evaluate and monitor the projects funded from the national ODA budget. The report highlights some recommendations, based on a complex process of consultation with the FOND Policy/Advocacy Working Group and the White Paper of the NGO sector in Romania (launched this month, FOND coordinated the chapter on International Solidarity), as well as relevant events organized for the national development community in Romania (Romanian Development Camp V in July 2012).
FOND has started to disseminate the national AidWatch Report among the decision-makers (Ministries, Parliament, local authorities, other NGOs). The FOND Policy/Advocacy Working Group will be actively involved in future activities of the platform, in order to continue the capacity building process and active engagement in policy work both at European and national level.
Information provided by Adriana Zaharia, FOND
The national report provides a very complex view of the 5 years as donor, taking into consideration the international commitments, the national strategic framework of the development cooperation policy, the main actors involved and analyzes the amount of funding spent on ODA projects and activities. A special attention is given to Republic of Moldova, one of the Romania’s main partner countries, with a chapter focused on the Romania ODA disbursed in this country.
Even if the legislation on ODA funding has recently been updated (through Governmental Decision 1052/2011), there is still need for an implementation unit to evaluate and monitor the projects funded from the national ODA budget. The report highlights some recommendations, based on a complex process of consultation with the FOND Policy/Advocacy Working Group and the White Paper of the NGO sector in Romania (launched this month, FOND coordinated the chapter on International Solidarity), as well as relevant events organized for the national development community in Romania (Romanian Development Camp V in July 2012).
FOND has started to disseminate the national AidWatch Report among the decision-makers (Ministries, Parliament, local authorities, other NGOs). The FOND Policy/Advocacy Working Group will be actively involved in future activities of the platform, in order to continue the capacity building process and active engagement in policy work both at European and national level.
Information provided by Adriana Zaharia, FOND
The Black Sea NGO Forum 2012: Participation and Inclusion for responsible Development in the Black Sea Region
During 24-25th of October, the Romanian NGDO Platform (FOND), in partnership with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Representation of the European Commission in Romania organized the fifth edition of the Black Sea NGO Forum, entitled “Participation and inclusion for responsible development”.
The forum represents a unique opportunity in the region by gathering the most important stakeholders and grassroots organizations, in order to debate common issues and find solutions for the problems in the Black Sea region. Among the guests invited were Staffan Nilsson, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Luminita Odobescu, State Secretary (Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), representatives from the European Commission, Governments, civil society representatives from the region, media. This anniversary edition was attended by Rilli Lappalainen, member of CONCORD Board and Secretary General of the Finnish NGO Kehys who addressed a mobilizing message to the audience regarding the potential of the region and how important are the networks for empowering civil society in the Black Sea area.
This edition brought together around 160 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Republic of Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania and Russia. The discussions of the Forum were structured around 3 main topics: social entrepreneurship and community development in rural areas, transparency and public integrity, youth policies and youth development. The forum combined both plenary sessions and workshops and encouraged networking throughout the event. The main recommendations were related to a new Black Sea Strategy and the need to prioritize the main concerning issues on the agenda of the European Commission. There are two successful results of the previous editions of this Forum. The regional coalition on child protection in the region (ChildPact) and the Black Sea Youth Network.
The Representation of the European Commission in Romania awarded for the third time, the Black Sea NGO Award for Excellency. The winner is Black Sea NGO Network from Bulgaria, a network dedicated to sustainable development, European politics and environmental issues. The aim of this award is to enhance the profile of the Black Sea Synergy and its role in proposing a regional, cooperative approach in the region, as well as the multilateral dimension of EU external policies.
Find more information about the previous editions online.
In the photo: panel at the Black Sea NGO Forum 2012
Information provided by Adriana Zaharia, FOND
The forum represents a unique opportunity in the region by gathering the most important stakeholders and grassroots organizations, in order to debate common issues and find solutions for the problems in the Black Sea region. Among the guests invited were Staffan Nilsson, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Luminita Odobescu, State Secretary (Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), representatives from the European Commission, Governments, civil society representatives from the region, media. This anniversary edition was attended by Rilli Lappalainen, member of CONCORD Board and Secretary General of the Finnish NGO Kehys who addressed a mobilizing message to the audience regarding the potential of the region and how important are the networks for empowering civil society in the Black Sea area.
This edition brought together around 160 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Republic of Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania and Russia. The discussions of the Forum were structured around 3 main topics: social entrepreneurship and community development in rural areas, transparency and public integrity, youth policies and youth development. The forum combined both plenary sessions and workshops and encouraged networking throughout the event. The main recommendations were related to a new Black Sea Strategy and the need to prioritize the main concerning issues on the agenda of the European Commission. There are two successful results of the previous editions of this Forum. The regional coalition on child protection in the region (ChildPact) and the Black Sea Youth Network.
The Representation of the European Commission in Romania awarded for the third time, the Black Sea NGO Award for Excellency. The winner is Black Sea NGO Network from Bulgaria, a network dedicated to sustainable development, European politics and environmental issues. The aim of this award is to enhance the profile of the Black Sea Synergy and its role in proposing a regional, cooperative approach in the region, as well as the multilateral dimension of EU external policies.
Find more information about the previous editions online.
In the photo: panel at the Black Sea NGO Forum 2012
Information provided by Adriana Zaharia, FOND
Development Day 2012 in Bratislava
On the occasion of the International Day of Poverty Eradication, the 17th October, one hundred participants interested in Slovak development assistance gathered in the University Library in Bratislava for the Development Day 2012, organised by the Slovak NGDO Platform MVRO. The topic of the event was Cooperation for Development. Panel discussions focused on cooperation among all stakeholders involved in development cooperation.
The event demonstrated on examples from Slovakia and abroad how important it is to mobilize specific capacities of all relevant stakeholders in order to increase effectiveness of development cooperation, including business entities with potential to engage in development activities.
Gunter Schall from the Private Sector and Development Section of the Austrian Development Agency introduced a functional model of involving the business sector in development cooperation. Nora Beňáková, coordinator for development policy for the Slovak NGDO Platform, presented the 2nd National AidWatch Report 2011, analysing the bilateral development assistance of the Slovak Republic in 2011. The importance of cooperation across sectors was discussed on a panel with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, business representatives, academics, as well as representatives of development NGOs.
The Slovak NDGO Platform in cooperation with PDCS prepared the second photography competition for amateurs and professionals “Human Rights in Development Cooperation”. At the occasion of the Development Day, the winners were announced and the exhibition was opened. The 30 best photographs will be presented at exhibitions in various Slovak towns.
The event was financially supported by the European Commission and SlovakAid (as part of the project “V4 Aid – United support for Millennium Development Goals“), as well as by CONCORD.
In the photo: participants of the Slovak Development Day 2012
Information provided by Lenka Nemcová, MVRO
The event demonstrated on examples from Slovakia and abroad how important it is to mobilize specific capacities of all relevant stakeholders in order to increase effectiveness of development cooperation, including business entities with potential to engage in development activities.
Gunter Schall from the Private Sector and Development Section of the Austrian Development Agency introduced a functional model of involving the business sector in development cooperation. Nora Beňáková, coordinator for development policy for the Slovak NGDO Platform, presented the 2nd National AidWatch Report 2011, analysing the bilateral development assistance of the Slovak Republic in 2011. The importance of cooperation across sectors was discussed on a panel with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, business representatives, academics, as well as representatives of development NGOs.
The Slovak NDGO Platform in cooperation with PDCS prepared the second photography competition for amateurs and professionals “Human Rights in Development Cooperation”. At the occasion of the Development Day, the winners were announced and the exhibition was opened. The 30 best photographs will be presented at exhibitions in various Slovak towns.
The event was financially supported by the European Commission and SlovakAid (as part of the project “V4 Aid – United support for Millennium Development Goals“), as well as by CONCORD.
In the photo: participants of the Slovak Development Day 2012
Information provided by Lenka Nemcová, MVRO
MFF Letter sent to Baltic Prime Ministers
At the end of October, a letter written jointly by the development CSO platforms in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was sent to the prime ministers, the ministers of foreign affairs and the ministers of finance in the three Baltic countries. In it, a number of recommendations were put forward to improve the proposal for the EU budget 2014-2020, ahead of the extraordinary European Council meeting on the subject.
The main message was the need to maintain the development aid budget; to reaffirm the commitment to the 0.7% of GNI for aid; to base development cooperation on the objective of poverty eradication using a human rights based approach; and the importance of policy coherence for development. The letter also referred to civil society’s role as a central development actor.
The letter can be read here (pdf).
Further details available from the secretariats of the Baltic platforms:
Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation (AKÜ)
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The letter can be read here (pdf).
Further details available from the secretariats of the Baltic platforms:
Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation (AKÜ)
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
Development Education Conference in Lithuania
On 9th of November 2012 LITDEA organised the annual development education conference “Development education and development cooperation policy in Lithuania the situation and development opportunities” which was held in the Ministry of Education and Science premises.
The conference was welcomed and coordinated by LITDEA president Lina Kalibataite.
The aim of the conference was to present the activities and projects on development education of LITDEA, especially “Development Education multipliers in Lithuania”. The presentation of the project evolved positive discussions, questions and possible plans for the future.
One member of LITDEA made an interesting presentation based on his personal experience in Guatemala “Travelling together. Development education in Guatemala experiences reflection“.
Julius Norvila, board member of LITDEA talked about remarks, challenges and perspectives of Lithuanian Official Development Assistance. The Lithuanian National Platform of Development NGOs presented the recommendations on co-financing/ support for partnership and there was space for comments and feedback. Also a discussion process with the MFA (Ministry for Foreign Affairs) representatives on co-financing 10% for EU presidency project was started. Last but not least a short presentation on the MFA’s planning for the upcoming EU presidency was held by a representative of ministry.
For more information, please contact Ruta Ulkyte at info@litdea.eu
In the photo: participants of the conference.
Information provided by Ruta Ulkyte, LITDEA
The conference was welcomed and coordinated by LITDEA president Lina Kalibataite.
The aim of the conference was to present the activities and projects on development education of LITDEA, especially “Development Education multipliers in Lithuania”. The presentation of the project evolved positive discussions, questions and possible plans for the future.
One member of LITDEA made an interesting presentation based on his personal experience in Guatemala “Travelling together. Development education in Guatemala experiences reflection“.
Julius Norvila, board member of LITDEA talked about remarks, challenges and perspectives of Lithuanian Official Development Assistance. The Lithuanian National Platform of Development NGOs presented the recommendations on co-financing/ support for partnership and there was space for comments and feedback. Also a discussion process with the MFA (Ministry for Foreign Affairs) representatives on co-financing 10% for EU presidency project was started. Last but not least a short presentation on the MFA’s planning for the upcoming EU presidency was held by a representative of ministry.
For more information, please contact Ruta Ulkyte at info@litdea.eu
In the photo: participants of the conference.
Information provided by Ruta Ulkyte, LITDEA
Civil Society Bazaar: Citizens as Actors of Change in Cyprus
CYINDEP, the Cyprus Island-wide NGO Development Platform, presented a Civil Society bazaar entitled Euro-Mediterranean Souk: Citizens as Actors of Change, on Friday 12 October 2012 in Nicosia.
The event, held under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, provided an open space, inspired by Mediterranean market places, for participating Non-Government al Organizations to pitch their ideas and initiatives to a live audience,to form discussion groups, offer small workshops, to network and learn from each other. Live music and food completed the creative setting.
The Souk closed the Peace it Together, Power Of One Inter Regional Learning Exchange Conference. The event provided international and local participants with a series of unique opportunities: a creative open space to present their work, explore ideas on global change and network with a wide range of Cypriot CSOs and active citizens.
Guest speakers included Professor of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Hyderabad in India and holder of the UNESCO Chair on Community Media, Professor Vinod Pavarala, who gave a lecture about community media and civil society and Dr Matt Baillie Smith, Reader in the Department of Social Sciences in Northumbria University, Director of the Northumbria Centre for International Development, who spoke about his work in the field of Active Citizenship Development.
Dr Matt Baillie Smith states the following in connection to the subject of Citizens as Actors of Change: "I feel that if we say citizens are complicated people, which we are, and if we accept that empowered citizens don't do as they're told, then, absolutely critical in all this, is the way civil society organizations get to know the people they're trying to work with, what level of understanding they have of community, identity, history, and ways in which both change and move over time."
The Euro-Mediterranean Souk took place within the framework of the EU-funded project 'Solidarity in Change - Development in a Time of Transition'.
Next CYINDEP event will be “The World We Want – Global Civil Society Symposium:Food Security and Nutrition in the Post-2015 Framework” from 22-23 November 2012.
In the photo: participants at the Souk
Source: CYINDEP
The Pontis Foundation is sharing Slovak Transition Experience with Tunisia
Representatives of the Tunisian organization I Watch took part in a training cycle aimed at public policy, advocacy and communication with the public and the government, in Slovakia on 2nd-10th October 2012.
Revolution, political transformation, new constitution and transition to democracy are among the most frequently used words in Tunisia today. The whole society is going through important changes which will determine the future development of the country. „Civil society in Tunisia is young. More than anything else it needs to gain knowledge about what activities it can do in relation to the people and government,” thinks Mouheb Garoui, the president of I Watch which was formed during the Jasmine Revolution. This organization consists mainly of young people whose aim is to watch over transparency, political responsibility and to fight the corruption in the country. At the same time, I Watch is one of the partner organizations of Pontis Foundation which assists in sharing the Slovak transition experience in Tunisia. The objective of this cooperation is to exchange the experience in the area of civil society development during the democratic transition and in supporting the civic engagement in public affairs and democratic institution building.
During the expert breakfast on Wednesday 10th October in Bratislava, Mouheb Garoui discussed with Filip Vagač, the Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Government for Development of Civil Society, and with Lujza Richterová, of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coordinator of the Slovakia-Netherlands Task Force on Tunisia under Community of Democracies. The conclusion of the discussion was that out of all the countries of the Arab Spring, Tunisia is the one with the most stable and linear progress towards democracy. The emerging civil society in the country will keep playing an important role in the process of ongoing political transformation; therefore the support to this sector is essential.
Lujza Richterová said that the cooperation with Tunisian institutions and civil society had kicked off very well. However, the process of democracy building is a long run and that is why the question of long term cooperation is vital. The Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Matters confirmed that Slovakia will soon strengthen its presence in Tunisia through opening of a new embassy in capital city Tunis.
More information can be found here.
In the photo: participants at the expert breakfast.
Information provided by Petra Nagyová, Pontis Foundation
Revolution, political transformation, new constitution and transition to democracy are among the most frequently used words in Tunisia today. The whole society is going through important changes which will determine the future development of the country. „Civil society in Tunisia is young. More than anything else it needs to gain knowledge about what activities it can do in relation to the people and government,” thinks Mouheb Garoui, the president of I Watch which was formed during the Jasmine Revolution. This organization consists mainly of young people whose aim is to watch over transparency, political responsibility and to fight the corruption in the country. At the same time, I Watch is one of the partner organizations of Pontis Foundation which assists in sharing the Slovak transition experience in Tunisia. The objective of this cooperation is to exchange the experience in the area of civil society development during the democratic transition and in supporting the civic engagement in public affairs and democratic institution building.
During the expert breakfast on Wednesday 10th October in Bratislava, Mouheb Garoui discussed with Filip Vagač, the Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Government for Development of Civil Society, and with Lujza Richterová, of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coordinator of the Slovakia-Netherlands Task Force on Tunisia under Community of Democracies. The conclusion of the discussion was that out of all the countries of the Arab Spring, Tunisia is the one with the most stable and linear progress towards democracy. The emerging civil society in the country will keep playing an important role in the process of ongoing political transformation; therefore the support to this sector is essential.
Lujza Richterová said that the cooperation with Tunisian institutions and civil society had kicked off very well. However, the process of democracy building is a long run and that is why the question of long term cooperation is vital. The Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Matters confirmed that Slovakia will soon strengthen its presence in Tunisia through opening of a new embassy in capital city Tunis.
More information can be found here.
In the photo: participants at the expert breakfast.
Information provided by Petra Nagyová, Pontis Foundation
Trade Union Seminar on Development Education – Building Global Solidarity
Trade unions and their partner NGO representatives from all over Europe gathered in Vienna on 5-7 November 2012 to share their experiences in development education (DE), discuss the role of DE in the trade union movement as well as trade unions‘ contribution to the DE community.
The seminar was organised by the Trade Union Development Cooperation Network (TUDCN), an initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation – the main international trade union body, representing 175 million workers in 153 countries around the world.
International solidarity is one of the fundamental principles of the trade union movement and building it, one of its key objectives.
Trade unions carry out educational activities and campaigns in the area of decent work, gender equality, migration and many others, raising awareness both within the trade union movement and among a wider public. While in some countries trade unions have been committed actors of DE for decades, the domain seems still underexplored by the movement in many others. The TUDCN has committed to further foster development education in the trade union movement as well as improve the recognition of trade unions as DE actors.
The report from the seminar as well as the TUDCN statement on the role of trade unions in development education, an outcome of the meeting, will soon be available on the ITUC website.
For more information please contact Kasia Szeniawska, ITUC at kasia.szeniawska@ituc-csi.org.
In the photo: participants of the Seminar in Vienna.
Information provided by Kasia Szeniawska, ITUC
The seminar was organised by the Trade Union Development Cooperation Network (TUDCN), an initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation – the main international trade union body, representing 175 million workers in 153 countries around the world.
International solidarity is one of the fundamental principles of the trade union movement and building it, one of its key objectives. Trade unions carry out educational activities and campaigns in the area of decent work, gender equality, migration and many others, raising awareness both within the trade union movement and among a wider public. While in some countries trade unions have been committed actors of DE for decades, the domain seems still underexplored by the movement in many others. The TUDCN has committed to further foster development education in the trade union movement as well as improve the recognition of trade unions as DE actors.
The report from the seminar as well as the TUDCN statement on the role of trade unions in development education, an outcome of the meeting, will soon be available on the ITUC website.
For more information please contact Kasia Szeniawska, ITUC at kasia.szeniawska@ituc-csi.org.
In the photo: participants of the Seminar in Vienna.
Information provided by Kasia Szeniawska, ITUC
Let’s rebuild our Food Distribution System!
In recent years community-supported agriculture and alternative food distribution systems have spread all over Europe, but there was no European Platform which brought together these initiatives. Throughout Europe people from different cultures and backgrounds work towards the shared goal of redefining the way our society organises the production, processing and distribution of food, and get together to achieve Food Sovereignty in their local communities.
From 10-12th of October 2012, a European Meeting with participants from more than 20 countries was organised in Milan, Italy as part of a follow- up process to the Nyeleni-Europe Forum that took place in Krems, Austria in August 2011. This meeting, organised by a decentralised steering committee with the coordination of the International Network URGENCI, aimed to identify a shared vision of these alternative food systems, define future thematic focuses and develop an organisational structure for a new European Platform.
The meeting was structured into sessions which dealt with the following topics: communication platform, alliances and advocacy, forms of organisation and action plan. In spite the fact that alternative initiatives across Europe are on a different development level, there are some common problems, for example: homogenisation of global food systems destroys local small-scale producers, producers getting older and rural areas are abandoned.
On the last day of the meeting, the possible organisational structure of a new European Platform was discussed. Therefore, participants analysed already existing organisational schemes, and shared their position in a final discussion. Participants from European countries where these alternative initiatives are already established networks (e.g France, Italy or Belgium) had different expectations from a European Platform than the ones where these initiatives are just started to formulate and mainly individuals or NGOs representing the movement (e.g Hungary, Greece or Romania). The discussions pointed out that the new platform should fit to these different needs. Considering the participants’ opinions, the form of an umbrella organisation could satisfy the different expectations, so a voluntary committee in a decentralised form will work on this issue. In addition, it was also agreed that the European Meeting should be repeated in 1-2 years, because face-to-face meeting are necessary for building up a diverse and well-functioning network.
Further information on the URGENCI website.
Information provided by Zsófia Perényi, Association of Conscious Consumers
Photos were made by Asociatia C.R.I.E.S., Romania
From 10-12th of October 2012, a European Meeting with participants from more than 20 countries was organised in Milan, Italy as part of a follow- up process to the Nyeleni-Europe Forum that took place in Krems, Austria in August 2011. This meeting, organised by a decentralised steering committee with the coordination of the International Network URGENCI, aimed to identify a shared vision of these alternative food systems, define future thematic focuses and develop an organisational structure for a new European Platform.
The meeting was structured into sessions which dealt with the following topics: communication platform, alliances and advocacy, forms of organisation and action plan. In spite the fact that alternative initiatives across Europe are on a different development level, there are some common problems, for example: homogenisation of global food systems destroys local small-scale producers, producers getting older and rural areas are abandoned.
On the last day of the meeting, the possible organisational structure of a new European Platform was discussed. Therefore, participants analysed already existing organisational schemes, and shared their position in a final discussion. Participants from European countries where these alternative initiatives are already established networks (e.g France, Italy or Belgium) had different expectations from a European Platform than the ones where these initiatives are just started to formulate and mainly individuals or NGOs representing the movement (e.g Hungary, Greece or Romania). The discussions pointed out that the new platform should fit to these different needs. Considering the participants’ opinions, the form of an umbrella organisation could satisfy the different expectations, so a voluntary committee in a decentralised form will work on this issue. In addition, it was also agreed that the European Meeting should be repeated in 1-2 years, because face-to-face meeting are necessary for building up a diverse and well-functioning network.
Further information on the URGENCI website.
Information provided by Zsófia Perényi, Association of Conscious Consumers
Photos were made by Asociatia C.R.I.E.S., Romania
Black Sea Trust for Children Heralded by Region’s Leaders as Essential
Members of national parliaments throughout the wider Black Sea Region came together at the annual Black Sea NGO Forum to support the implementation of the PABSEC Recommendation, in particular the creation of a Black Sea Trust for Children. The panel of parliamentarians, hosted by the region’s child protection coalition ChildPact, issued a call to all countries within the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) to build a Black Sea Fund for Children that stimulates collaboration and innovation on child protection in a region that shares much of the same history and current trends of child vulnerability. Earlier this year the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (PABSEC) issued Recommendation on Child Protection in the BSEC Member States that calls for a regional trust for children. The Recommendation now needs to be put in practice.
Zhalya Aliyeva, member of Azerbaijan’s parliament, stated that “all things said and all decisions taken should not remain only on paper.” BSEC’s Deputy Secretary General, Traian Chebeleu confirmed that governmental cooperation on child protection within BSEC might be difficult, but it is possible, stating that as a platform of regional engagement BSEC is well-positioned to include child protection as an area of cooperation.
Mira Antonyan, ChildPact Vice-President, stressed the importance of having such an initiative: “Why spend so much time to do the same mistakes, to start from zero, when you can just ask (your partners) how did you do the same process in your country, was it successful or not? ”
In pursuit of implementation, in particular of a Black Sea Fund for Children, a political decision needs to be made by the BSEC’s Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. To ensure this decision, it is important that a ‘champion’ or a group of ‘champions’ of BSEC government/s brings the initiative to the Council.
ChildPact is a regional coalition for child protection that unites more than 500 NGOs from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldavia, Romania, and Serbia. ChildPact represents the interests of the most vulnerable children in the Wider Black Sea Region, in policy debates at national, regional and international levels.
Mirela Oprea, ChildPact Secretary General, stated that the event in Bucharest “was an historical meeting. It was the first time when PABSEC members and representatives of civil society organizations came together at a regional level to discuss these issues. The meeting was successful, participants agreed that next steps to implement the Recommendation must become tangible tasks, and this conversation started a new level of engagement toward collective impact for children throughout the region’’. Participating parliamentarians and regional leaders included: Zhalya ALIYEVA, President of the PABSEC Cultural, Educational and Social Affairs Committee, Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Namik DOKLE, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Albania; Aram MANUKYAN, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia; Elvira KOVACS, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia; Traian CHEBELEU, Deputy Secretary General, Permanent International Secretariat, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation; Mira Antonyan, ChildPact Vice-President, representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society and academia.
Please watch this video feature about the event here.
Please find attached a more detailed report of the outcomes of the event.
For more information about ChildPact, please visit our website www.childpact.org or contact Mirela Oprea at mirela_oprea@wvi.org
Information provided by Mirela Oprea, ChildPact
2015 as Year for Development Cooperation: A Latvian Initiative finds wide Support
The European Parliament has voted in a large majority to call for 2015 to be designated the European Year for Development Cooperation. The vote comes as lawmakers met in Strasbourg in the end of October 2012, endorsing a report
by MEP Charles Goerens (ALDE, Luxembourg) on the future of EU development policy.
EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, in a debate following the Parliament vote on 23 October also stated his support for the initiative.
•The European Year for Development 2015 would be the first designated to a global theme. European years have been designated since 1983, the current being on ‘Active Ageing’.
•2015 is the year of expiry of the Millennium Development Goals, with many European Union states falling off track on anti-poverty aid targets.
Concord, the European confederation of Relief & Development NGOs, strongly welcomes the European Parliament’s support for the European Year 2015. For Marius Wanders, Concord Board member, “Having a European Year in 2015 for Development would be perfect timing. It’s the year when important global agreements to decide how to tackle global poverty will be negotiated, which need far more open public debate and European citizens need their say. The year could generate great public awareness and put the spotlight on the EU’s global role in international development.”
The idea of such a European Year first came from the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS). For Andris Gobins, member of LAPAS & President of the European Movement in Latvia, “I am proud that the idea was born in Latvia, a country which recently was a development recipient country, but has become a donor. I am overwhelmed by the wide support from the very first moment from civil society and EU institutions. This vote is a key milestone in the process. Let’s now start to work and hope for final support from the European Council soon. Then, perhaps we could look at having a worldwide year of and for Development”.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) also supports the proposal for the European Year. For Staffan Nilsson, EESC President, “The initiative to nominate 2015 as a European Year for Development Cooperation is an excellent example of cooperation between the EESC, other European institutions and European civil society. The official decision on the initiative can be expected soon. Now we have to return to national, local and individual level to get suggestions for concrete aims and content. This European Year, set in the context of the Millennium Development Goals and the new, post-2015 goals, will be a success if it can obtain broad support from people inside and outside the EU.”
Information provided by Daniel Puglisi, CONCORD
EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, in a debate following the Parliament vote on 23 October also stated his support for the initiative.
•The European Year for Development 2015 would be the first designated to a global theme. European years have been designated since 1983, the current being on ‘Active Ageing’.
•2015 is the year of expiry of the Millennium Development Goals, with many European Union states falling off track on anti-poverty aid targets.
Concord, the European confederation of Relief & Development NGOs, strongly welcomes the European Parliament’s support for the European Year 2015. For Marius Wanders, Concord Board member, “Having a European Year in 2015 for Development would be perfect timing. It’s the year when important global agreements to decide how to tackle global poverty will be negotiated, which need far more open public debate and European citizens need their say. The year could generate great public awareness and put the spotlight on the EU’s global role in international development.”
The idea of such a European Year first came from the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS). For Andris Gobins, member of LAPAS & President of the European Movement in Latvia, “I am proud that the idea was born in Latvia, a country which recently was a development recipient country, but has become a donor. I am overwhelmed by the wide support from the very first moment from civil society and EU institutions. This vote is a key milestone in the process. Let’s now start to work and hope for final support from the European Council soon. Then, perhaps we could look at having a worldwide year of and for Development”.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) also supports the proposal for the European Year. For Staffan Nilsson, EESC President, “The initiative to nominate 2015 as a European Year for Development Cooperation is an excellent example of cooperation between the EESC, other European institutions and European civil society. The official decision on the initiative can be expected soon. Now we have to return to national, local and individual level to get suggestions for concrete aims and content. This European Year, set in the context of the Millennium Development Goals and the new, post-2015 goals, will be a success if it can obtain broad support from people inside and outside the EU.”
Information provided by Daniel Puglisi, CONCORD
Easier, faster Routes to EU Funding for CSOs
The European Financial Regulation review was approved on Tuesday the 23rd October by the European Parliament, after a campaign initiated by Euclid Network in 2008. The Financial Regulation covers all the EU funding and therefore, it has a huge impact on civil society organisations and social enterprises.
The new regulation is advocating for more transparency and efficiency from the European Institution, being more civil society friendly.
You can find additional information on the campaign on the Euclid Network website here and read the final text and the press release (pdf).
If you are having any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Luisa Deamicis at luisa.deamicis@euclidnetwork.eu
Information provided by Lucas Fülling; Euclid Network
The new regulation is advocating for more transparency and efficiency from the European Institution, being more civil society friendly.
You can find additional information on the campaign on the Euclid Network website here and read the final text and the press release (pdf).
If you are having any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Luisa Deamicis at luisa.deamicis@euclidnetwork.eu
Information provided by Lucas Fülling; Euclid Network
Conference on Sustainable Education in Zagreb
The international conference „Are civil rights and obligations connected to environmental issues in education”, organized by Network of Education Policy Centers, will be held in Zagreb, Croatia on the 28th & 29th of November 2012.
This event will gather members of the ENjoinED Initiative and the representatives of other civil society organizations from the EU and its neighbourhood countries, international experts on ESD, decision makers from the participating countries, educational experts, researchers and the representatives of the business sector from the Region.
The aim of the conference is to encourage further actions in promoting Education for Sustainability through nurturing the already existing partnerships, opening the initiative to new partners, regions and sectors and finding suitable entry points for Education for Sustainability in the formal education systems.
The ENjoinED initiative is a non-formal network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and research institutions with different backgrounds – environmental organisations joining educational institutions – that promotes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through research, advocacy and training in 8 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia. It was born out of the Education for Sustainable Development Partnership Initiative (ESdPI) project, funded and supported by the European Commission’s IPA funds for strengthening partnerships among CSOs, which is coordinated by the civil society organization Network of Education Policy Centers (NEPC: www.edupolicy.net).
Should you need any further information on the event or on the ENjoinED Initiative, please do not hesitate to contact Asja Korbar at asja@edupolicy.net
Information provided by Asja Korbar, Network of Education Policy Centers
This event will gather members of the ENjoinED Initiative and the representatives of other civil society organizations from the EU and its neighbourhood countries, international experts on ESD, decision makers from the participating countries, educational experts, researchers and the representatives of the business sector from the Region.
The aim of the conference is to encourage further actions in promoting Education for Sustainability through nurturing the already existing partnerships, opening the initiative to new partners, regions and sectors and finding suitable entry points for Education for Sustainability in the formal education systems.
The ENjoinED initiative is a non-formal network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and research institutions with different backgrounds – environmental organisations joining educational institutions – that promotes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through research, advocacy and training in 8 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia. It was born out of the Education for Sustainable Development Partnership Initiative (ESdPI) project, funded and supported by the European Commission’s IPA funds for strengthening partnerships among CSOs, which is coordinated by the civil society organization Network of Education Policy Centers (NEPC: www.edupolicy.net).
Should you need any further information on the event or on the ENjoinED Initiative, please do not hesitate to contact Asja Korbar at asja@edupolicy.net
Information provided by Asja Korbar, Network of Education Policy Centers
Course on Disability and Poverty in the Global South taking place in Malta
The recent World Report on Disability (WHO/World Bank) estimates that some one billion people around the globe are disabled and some 80% live in the global South. Around 20% of the world’s poorest are disabled people.
Integra Foundation (Malta) will be collaborating with the Research Institute for Health and Social Change (RIHSC), Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) to organise a short course entitled 'Disability and poverty in the global South: activating European movements for change' in Malta from the 10/06/13- 14/06/13.
This course will cut across disciplines and perspectives to build on the EU development policy and its commitment to raising awareness of development issues, promoting development education and mobilizing support for poverty reduction, in particular among disabled people living in poverty. A transnational panel from academia and civil society will help to engage critically and discuss these themes in a friendly atmosphere of debate. Guest speakers include Dan Goodley (University of Sheffield), Shaun Grech (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Maria Pisani (Integra Foundation).
Those wishing to attend can apply for a Grundtvig grant (adult education) to participate, covering all costs (Course fees, flight, accommodation and food).
For more information visit the Integra Foundation website or email Maria Pisani on integrafoundation@gmail.com.
Information provided by Shaun Grech, Manchester Metropolitan University
Integra Foundation (Malta) will be collaborating with the Research Institute for Health and Social Change (RIHSC), Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) to organise a short course entitled 'Disability and poverty in the global South: activating European movements for change' in Malta from the 10/06/13- 14/06/13.
This course will cut across disciplines and perspectives to build on the EU development policy and its commitment to raising awareness of development issues, promoting development education and mobilizing support for poverty reduction, in particular among disabled people living in poverty. A transnational panel from academia and civil society will help to engage critically and discuss these themes in a friendly atmosphere of debate. Guest speakers include Dan Goodley (University of Sheffield), Shaun Grech (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Maria Pisani (Integra Foundation).
Those wishing to attend can apply for a Grundtvig grant (adult education) to participate, covering all costs (Course fees, flight, accommodation and food).
For more information visit the Integra Foundation website or email Maria Pisani on integrafoundation@gmail.com.
Information provided by Shaun Grech, Manchester Metropolitan University
Hungarian Maltese Charity Service seeks Partners
The Hungarian Maltese Charity Service (MMSZ) would like to pass on their experience in care and education services, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief and are looking for experienced partners to realise joint development and relief projects.
The MMSZ has worked out and used exemplary models on the fields of social works and health care. Later on these solutions were incorporated into the normal social/health care system.
Currently in Hungary the MMSZ works on the following fields of interest:
• Heath Care Service
• Disabled Care Activity
• Children and family care • Homeless care
• Elderly people care • Education
• Humanitarian, disaster relief activities
More information you can find here (pdf) or on the organisation website in English at www.maltai.hu
If you are interested to work with the MMSZ, please contact Mr. Péter Mujzer at mujzer.peter@maltai.hu
Information provided by Péter Mujzer, MMSZ
The MMSZ has worked out and used exemplary models on the fields of social works and health care. Later on these solutions were incorporated into the normal social/health care system.
Currently in Hungary the MMSZ works on the following fields of interest:
• Heath Care Service
• Disabled Care Activity
• Children and family care • Homeless care
• Elderly people care • Education
• Humanitarian, disaster relief activities
More information you can find here (pdf) or on the organisation website in English at www.maltai.hu
If you are interested to work with the MMSZ, please contact Mr. Péter Mujzer at mujzer.peter@maltai.hu
Information provided by Péter Mujzer, MMSZ
Report on Maltese NGOs, Local Councils and International Development Cooperation
Within the frame of the project “MEDEVNET - Capacity and synergy building for Development among non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs) and Local Authorities (LAs) in Greece, Cyprus and Malta”, a research was conducted about the capacities of Maltese non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs) and local councils (LCs) and possible areas for collaboration. The aim was to obtain information from Maltese CSOs which are active on issues related to global development issues and/or migration, and from local councils, about organisational structures, focus areas of work, knowledge about development policies and their opinions about related matters.
The outcomes of the research were compiled in the report “Maltese NGOs, Local Councils and International Development Cooperation” by the development CSO platform SKOP and the Maltese organisation KOPIN. The report was published with the support of TRIALOG.
Download the report here (pdf).
For hard copies, please contact SKOP at info@skopmalta.org
Information provided by SKOP Malta
Policy Papers on Development published by the Cyprus NGO Platform
After an initial research on what would be the most relevant issues the following policy papers were elaborated and can be downloaded here:
• Post-2015 development framework
• The Multi-Annual Financial Framework of the EU and its implications on the development agenda
• Role of Citizens in Development
The policy papers were published with the support of TRIALOG and disseminated by CYINDEP at several meetings with decision-makers where its contents and relevance were discussed.
Information provided by CYINDEP
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