act4europe.campaign
Issued by
the Civil Society Contact Group[1]
The meeting in Brussels on 8 October to launch the campaign
brought together representatives of a range of NGOs in some 15 countries
(member states and candidate countries). The feeling at the end of the day was
positive. The aim of the initiative of the Civil Society Contact Group was to
generate more debate and action at the national level: this was considered necessary
and timely, and welcomed by all who could attend and many other who could not
but heard about it. However, all of us were at the same time aware that it
would require considerable effort while there is very limited capacity to
sustain it.
The overall picture was that, with some exceptions, not very
much is happening nationally. In most member states neither government nor
civil society itself have managed to get things moving, while in the candidate
countries the all-absorbing focus is understandably on accession. However, many
NGOs and people are aware of the Future of Europe process, with a Convention
focusing on architecture rather than on formulating a clear vision and mission, and civil
society focusing on the latter, on the issues that determine the content -- the big question being how to
connect the two. And the message we tried to convey in our first Bulletin
appears well understood:
·
We
want to see the EU push for integral advance of economic, social and
environmental interests as expressed in the concept of sustainable
development.
·
We
want to see this apply within Europe as much as in the world at large.
·
We
want it to be done in a transparent manner so that people can connect to it and
the EU can be held accountable.
·
We
want it to involve us, civil society.
·
And in
order to achieve that and really influence the process, we must go beyond
stating our expectations on policies and content, and press directly for that
content to be incorporated into the institutional architecture.
The meeting heard from the Civil Society Contact Group, from
ETUC Deputy General Secretary Eric Carlslund and from MEP and Convention member
Anne van Lancker who warned of the trend within the Convention to ignore and
even turn its back on the social dimension. And most importantly, in a tour de
table we got a sense of the interest, the perspective and the difficulties we
can expect if we try to extend ourselves into a broader movement that can
generate debate and action also at national level.
The meeting concluded with a series of more or less concrete
action points, including:
-
To extend
the network and build a basic structure at national level that can carry the campaign; those
present agreed to act as contact persons.
-
To focus
on content of policies and values where we can expect to find consensus on the
basis of which we can act in unison.
-
To
update the June Common Statement from the Civil Society Contact Group into a
more comprehensive document that could command broader ownership.
-
To establish
a mailing list for
key contacts and a Bulletin for information to all activists.
-
To
mount a first concrete campaign effort in connection with the discussion due in the Convention
on 7 and 8 November
on the question whether there should be one more Working Group, namely on social
issues.
7/8 November action
On this last point we have developed a simple action in the
form of a model letter, which you find attached, that should be sent to Convention members
in your countries. Simply
insert letterhead and signature. It should be sent from as many NGO leaders and
other key national figures as possible. Please note:
à It is a model letter: it can be
translated and adapted to suit particular NGO perspectives.
à The letters should be faxed,
before the plenary session on 7 November!
Just a word on the content of this action. The
"European social model", with its focus on full employment, social
inclusion etc. and with its scope within the bounds of Europe, is not an
evident campaigning object for many NGOs such as in the development, environment
and human rights sectors, whose focus also is more international/global. And
yet, it is important to consider an action of this kind as an example of
pushing the Convention to accept a key facet of our overarching message: namely
that we want to see an integrated approach to economic, social and
environmental interests as expressed in the concept of sustainable development,
both within and outside Europe. The development and human rights objectives, as
well as the global dimension, are integral parts of that concept.
To press for one specific aspect that is right now relevant
and urgent can be regarded as exemplifying our larger goals, and in that sense
we feel it is worth all of us considering how we can join in this particular
appeal - if not because it relates directly to our own objectives, then at
least because we see it as an intrinsic part of the need for the Convention to
properly incorporate key values and policy objectives. This time the issue is
regaining the social dimension through the establishment of a dedicated working
group, next time it may be related to the Charter, or to the external
dimension. As indicated above, the letter is a model which can be adapted, and
you should feel free to do so in whichever way makes it possible and
comfortable for any organisation to join in.
Information on Convention developments
A misleading heading, because we want to make it clear that
this Bulletin will not be yet another regular report on what is happening in
and around the Convention. Quite a few organisations already produce such
regular reports, and there is of course the Convention's own website. However,
if you do need information on where to find relevant information, you can of
course approach any of us to see if we can help out.
ETUC position and campaign
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC, associated
with the Civil Society Contact Group) has just finalized its position with
regard to the Convention. This will mark the start of a phase in which the ETUC
will develop its own campaigning program, and given their presence and capacity
in all present and new member states this can be important for our efforts to
generate action. We will come back to this.
Next steps
The Civil Society Contact Group will try to build on the steps
that have been taken so far and develop a simple, low-cost model of information
and action. To sustain this effort it will be important to get your support:
1.
From
the Brussels NGOs who we ask to pass the information and action requests on to
their constituencies.
2.
From
NGOs at national level who we ask to take up our action suggestions and to
build their own alliances.
3.
From
all of you who we ask to join in - in whatever way suits your organisation.
4.
And to
let us know what you are doing to support the campaign.
K For more information please contact the act4europe.campaign Secretariat :
[1] act4europe.campaign is an initiative of the Civil Society Contact Group brings together social, environmental, human rights and development NGOs with the ETUC to seek effective civil society input into the Convention.