National Platforms Effective tool for advocacy Agnese Knabe Project coordinator European Public Health Alliance Civic A

1. National Platforms Effective tool for advocacy Agnese Knabe Project coordinator European Public Health Alliance Civic Alliance – Latvia 14November, 2006, Malta European Public Health Alliance

2. European Public Health Alliance • The idea of networking • 2. European networks • 3. European Public Health Alliance – European network • 14November, 2006, Malta

3. The idea of networking Networks Contacts and relations between people, basedon 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

4. The idea of networking Network Relations and collaborationbetween different persons • individuals • Groups • Organisations

5. The idea of networking Types • Official • Un-official • Long-term • Short-term

6. The idea of networking Culture and values Common aim • Confidence • Respect of different opinions • Support • Responsibilities • Awareness about the aim and the tools

7. The idea of networking • Motivation for collaboration • Sense of security • Mutual benefit • Information recourse • Knowledge • New contacts (recourses) • Influence the quality of your life

8. European networks White Paper on European governance Participatory Democracy Minimum Standards

9. European networks White Paper on European governance Better involvement of civil society, that meets the needs of public Democracy depends on people being able to take part inpublic 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”

10. 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.

11. 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 toensure the transparency and coherence

12. European networks Minimum Standards Equal rights for business sector an NGOs for consultations in EU institutions Transparency of consultations between EU institutions and stakeholders

13. European networks European Public Health Alliance Civil Society Contact Group

14. European Public Health Alliance • 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

15. The role of the NGO sector • Monitor, analyse and inform • Raise awareness • Engage and consult • Challenge • Empower • Represent

16. 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

17. 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

18. EPHA members • International networks • European networks • National organisations

19. EPHA members • Health advocates • Disease specific patient groups • Academic researchers • Health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses and pharmacists) • Consumer groups • Environment organisations • Development organisations

20. EPHA members • Benefit formembers • Information on actual Public health issues and EU policy developments • Monthly Newsletter • web page • members only site • Expertise on political and legal documents • Advocacy in European level • Contacts • Project opportunities • Capacitybuilding activities

22. 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

23. How does EPHA work? Policy Co-ordination Meetings Meeting every two months in Brussels, this group is open to allEPHA members. Contributions to the meeting are also received via e-mail

24. The role of NGOs in Brussels • 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.

25. 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  

26. European Networks 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 andpromote a transparent and structured civil dialogue that is accessible, properly facilitated, inclusive, fair, and respectful of the autonomy of NGOs

27. 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

28. European Networks Civil Society Contact Group The handbook Make active European citizenship a reality To 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

29. 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 healthalliances in the new member countries of theEuropean Union. Handbook for organisation building” • CEE section in www.epha.org • www.ngo.epha.org

30. 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