INCREASING CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION: GONG experiences

Novum Forum, Otočec, November 5, 2009Novum Forum, Otočec, November 5, 2009

GONG: MISSION

GONG is a non-partisan citizens' organization founded in 1997 to encourage citizens to take active participation in political processes.

GONG conducts - non-partisan monitoring of election process- educates citizens about their rights and duties- encourages mutual communication between citizens and

their elected representatives- promotes transparency of work within public services- manages public advocacy campaigns and - encourages and helps citizens in self-organizing

initiatives

THE BEGINNING

1997 – GONG initiative 1998 – Registration as a non-profit organization & first

legal election monitoring campaign 1999-2000 - Campaign “We the citizens are observing”,

GONG's Orange Amendment, 7000 election observers-volunteers

2000 – Milestone (new programs, organizational development)

2003 – “The Golden Coat of Arms”, Parliament award for achievements in the development of parliamentary democracy, the strengthening of democracy, promotion of tolerance, and the protection of human rights in Croatia.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Election System Program • MAIN GOAL: ACHIEVING HIGH DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS OF THE CROATIAN

ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF ALL INFORMED STAKEHOLDERS

Good Governance Program• MAIN GOAL: ACHIEVING HIGH STANDARDS IN GOVERNING OF INTITUTIONS

AND POLITICAL AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVES WHO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES BY HONESTY, RESPONSIBILITY AND OPENNESS TO THE PUBLIC

Active Citizens Program• MAIN GOAL: PROMOTING ACTIVISM, EDUCATING AND INSTIGATING CITIZENS

AND CSOs TO ACTIVISM AND COOPERATION

International Cooperation Program • MAIN GOAL: EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE

WITH SIMILAR (KINDRED) CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Election System Program

Citizens’ Education- educating citizens about the election process, the electoral rights, and the

significance of particular elections and bodies the elections are carried out for- encouraging, organizing and educating Croatian citizens to monitor elections as

domestic, non-partisan observers in order to prevent and/or reveal malpractices in the election law and its regulation, and to report to the public and build citizens’ trust and confidence in election process

SO FAR…• eleven nationwide civic education campaigns• dozens of educational TV and radio clips• handbooks, newsletters, posters, leaflets and brochures• info line, website• GONG is STILL, in large, the only entity that conducts voters’ education

activities• State Election Commission (SEC) and Central Administration Office (now the

Ministry) improved their communication and information of public (website, SMS, media)

I vote for the first time

Election System Program Education of Youngest Voters - “I vote for the first time”

- introducing and informing youngest voters on their voting rights and the importance of their involvement and participation in democratic processes

- in the form of interactive workshops in high schools- complement the existing educational program

SO FAR…• nine seasons of the project• 160.000 students participated in 5.736 workshops• 80% of all high schools in Croatia• in 2005 - Council of Europe’s "Young Active Citizens" Award

Contest: “I vote for the first time” won the award as the second best project

• further challenge: improve existing school curriculum; new workshops about EU citizenship

Good Governance Program

Citizens’ Hour- meetings between citizens and their elected

representatives, but also experts and other officials on both local and national levels

- in a form of public meeting or radio talk show

ACCHIEVED…• more than 1000 “Citizens’ Hours” throughout Croatia• more than 20000 citizens attending public meetings• more than 3000 guests• developing a brand…

Good Governance Program

Initiatives aimed at securing the more enabling environment for civil society organizations’ work and possibilities for their participation in the decision making processes

- GONG permanently carries out different ad-hoc initiatives aimed to contribute to civil society development, better inclusion of and consultations with CSOs and interested public, alone or in partnership with other CSOs

- Advocacy Network

TO NAME A FEW…• Development of volunteerism • Law on pro bono legal aid • Public benefit organizations – developing criteria • Code of good practice on consultations between the Government

and interested public (CSOs) in decision making processes• Equal treatment of all non-profit organizations • Improvement of financial provisions for CSOs

Thank you!

Sandra Pernar

GONG

sandra@gong.hr

Trg bana Jelacica 15/IV, HR-10000 Zagreb

T: +385 (0)1 4825 444

F: +385 (0)1 4825 445

www.gong.hr

gong@gong.hr