National Platforms Effective tool for advocacy Agnese Knabe Project coordinator European 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

Networks Contacts 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

Network Relations 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 governance Better involvement of civil society, that meets the needs of public Democracy 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 awareness  Engage and consult  Challenge  Empower  Represent 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

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

Benefit for members 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 Capacity 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

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 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 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

European Public Health Alliance Rue d’Arlon B-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: Fax: