National Platforms Effective tool for advocacy

Agnese Knabe

Project coordinatorEuropean Public Health Alliance

Civic Alliance – Latvia

17 October, 2006, Cyprus

European Public Health Alliance

1. The idea of networking

2. European networks

3. European Public Health Alliance – European network

17 October, 2006, Cyprus

European Public Health Alliance

NetworksContacts and relations between people, based on confidence and solidarity, what gives social capital

Pjer Burdje (expert social capital)

Personal tool what ensures important advantages to individuals, groups, families, who has better contacts

The idea of networking

NetworkRelations and collaboration between

different persons individuals Groups Organisations

The idea of networking

Types Official Un-official Long-term Short-term

The idea of networking

Culture and values

Common aim Confidence Respect of different opinions Support Responsibilities Awareness about the aim and the

tools

The idea of networking

Motivation for collaboration

• Sense of security• Mutual benefit• Information recourse• Knowledge• New contacts (recourses)• Influence the quality of your life

The idea of networking

European networks

White Paper on European governance

Participatory Democracy

Minimum Standards

European networks

White Paper on European governanceBetter involvement of civil society, that meets the needs of

publicDemocracy depends on people being able to take part in

public debate

“growing social and political importance of networks understood as interaction between individuals and/or organisations (communities, regional and local authorities, undertakings, administrations, research centres and so on) in a non-hierarchical way and where every participant is responsible for a part of the resources needed to achieve the common objective”

European networks

White Paper on European governance

The Commission therefore envisaged developing a more systematic and proactive approach to working with key networks to enable them to contribute to decision-shaping and policy execution, and examining how the framework for transnational co-operation of regional or local actors could be better supported at EU level for the purpose of presenting proposals.

European networks

Participatory Democracy

New Treaty on Constitution for Europe Art. I-47 Institutions should have open transparent and regular

dialogue with civil society

Commission organises consultations with stakeholders to ensure the transparency and coherence

European networks

Minimum Standards

Equal rights for business sector an NGOs for consultations in EU institutions

Transparency of consultations between EU institutions and stakeholders

European Public Health Alliance

Civil Society Contact Group

CONECCS

European networks

A network of more than 100 non governmental and not-for-profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues

mission is to improve the health of European citizens and to increase their participation in EU policy-making

European Public Health Alliance

Monitor, analyse and inform Raise awarenessEngage and consultChallengeEmpowerRepresent

The role of the NGO sector

About EPHA

Information exchange Membership services Lobbying:

> EU institutions Networking:

> Other health NGOs

> Other thematic NGOs Tracking policy issues:

> Day to day analysis

> Mailings - Briefings

EPHA members

EPHA has two categories of membership: Full members

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) active in the public health sector. Full members have two votes at the Annual General Assembly

Associate members other not-for-profit organisations, professional bodies, academic institutions and local or regional authorities. Associate members have one vote at the Annual General Assembly

EPHA membership fees are based on the income of the member organisation

International networks European networks National organisations

EPHA members

EPHA members

Health advocates Disease specific patient groups Academic researchers Health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses

and pharmacists) Consumer groups Environment organisations Development organisations

Benefit for membersInformation on actual Public health issues and EU policy developments

• Monthly Newsletter• web page• members only site

Expertise on political and legal documentsAdvocacy in European levelContactsProject opportunitiesCapacity building activities

EPHA members

How does EPHA work?

Advocacy

Working groups

At present there are 5 ongoing working groups on the following subjects:

Alcohol Health care Non-conventional medicine Food and Nutrition Health and Environment Health and Enlargement Pharmaceuticals

How does EPHA work?

Policy Co-ordination Meetings

Meeting every two months in Brussels, this group is open to all EPHA members. Contributions to the meeting are also received via e-mail

Many EU policies have an impact – direct or indirect – on the health of EU citizens

15,000 to 20,000 lobbyists in Brussels and ONLY 10% are NGOs representing citizens’ interests

What is the difference between NGOs and lobbyists?

Networking and alliances are the ONLY way to make our voice heard - You are unlikely to succeed alone. Use other NGOs resources rather than “re-invent the wheel” on your own.

The role of NGOs in Brussels

European Networks

Civil Society Contact Group

since 2002

brings together seven large rights and value based NGO sectors

Environment Social Development Women Culture human rights public health  

Civil Society Contact Group aim to represent the views and interests of

rights and value based civil society organisations across the European Union on major issues, which affect across the sectors of activity.

 objective is to encourage and promote a

transparent and structured civil dialogue that is accessible, properly facilitated, inclusive, fair, and respectful of the autonomy of NGOs

European Networks

Civil Society Contact Group The EU Civil Society Contact Group promotes

the concept of participatory democracy and places a particular focus on the implementation of art. 47 of the Constitutional Treaty

believes that NGOs across Europe should form part of a regular, structured, and guaranteed dialogue with the EU Institutions

European Networks

Civil Society Contact Group The handbook Make active European citizenship a realityTo bridge the gap between “Brussels” and the

“grassroots”Designed for “newcomers” NGOs and activists

for influencing EU policies Structure of EU institutions tools for lobbying Where to get more information

www.act4europe.org

European Networks

European Public Health Alliance

“Development of national platforms on public health in 10 new EU member states”

Capacity building and awareness raising Method material “Creating national public health

alliances in the new member countries of the European Union. Handbook for organisation building”

CEE section in www.epha.org www.ngo.epha.org

European Public Health Alliance

39-41 Rue d’Arlon

B-1000 Brussels

Belgium

Tel: +32 2 230 30 56

Fax: +32 2 233 38 80

epha@epha.org

www.epha.org