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Advocating for SRHR in Brussels presentation by Mascha Matthews DSW EU Liaison Office, Brussels 08 May 2007. 2 - Who are the advocacy targets?. 1 - Who are the SRHR advocates?. 4 - What lessons can be learned. 3 - How do we work?. What to expect from this presentation.
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Advocating for SRHR in Brusselspresentation by Mascha MatthewsDSW EU Liaison Office, Brussels08 May 2007
2 - Who are the advocacy targets? 1 - Who are the SRHR advocates? 4 - What lessons can be learned 3 - How do we work? What to expect from this presentation Advocating for SRHR in Brussels
1 2 3 4 Grant-funded advocacy & projects IPPF European Network ► Member Associations in almost all EU Member States ►Some very strong IPPF Member Associations, have advocacy staff, increasing focus on EU level ►Some very small, hardly any staff at all - trying to find ways to increase capacity Gates – European Advocacy for RH ►IPPF EN is chair + 8 national European RH advocacy organizations + European Parliamentary network ►Advocacy and media activities at both national and Brussels/EU level + study tours
1 2 3 4 Grant-funded advocacy & projects MacArthur - EuroNGOs ►Formal coalition, including IPPF Member Associations and other national organizations that do advocacy related to global SRHR ►EuroNGOs does not do advocacy as a coalition but shares information
1 2 3 4 Core advocates/coalitions “Brussex” ►DSW, IPPF European Network, MSI, StopAIDS Alliance, GCM, IPM, European Parliamentary Forum, etc ►Informal group of SRHR and HIV/AIDS advocates ►Meets every 4-6 weeks to share information about policy developments and advocacy opportunities ►Loosely coordinates work “Global Fund Brussels” ►Some of above + Open Society Institute ►Similar to BRUSSEX but focuses specifically on advocacy related to the GFATM
1 2 3 4 Secondary advocates/coalitions “OVC Group” ►Some of above + WorldVision, Save the Children, HelpAge, CARE, etc. ►Developed an annual action plan and meets regularly to coordinate its implementation “Gender lunch group” ►some of above plus women’s rights groups ►Very informal, meets over “brown bag” lunch to share information CONCORD Europe ►Europe-wide networks and national platforms of development NGOs ►Formal coalition, with staffed secretariat ►Special consultative relationship with European Commission ►Sometimes an SRHR advocacy target
1 2 3 4 The European Commission (EC) European Commission ► Proposes legislation: e.g. European Consensus on Development ► Not only obvious Directorate General’s ► Difficult to find out where to go: DG Dev/AIDCO ► Ask simple questions – EC has to find an answer
1 2 3 4 The European Parliament (EP) European Parliament ► Good relations with MEPs (assistants): - Influence reports - Push for questions asked to EC and Council - Source of information ► Focus on key MEPs on the dossier ► Strategic: through political groups and committees
1 2 3 4 The Council of Ministers (the Member States) Council of Ministers • ► Visits to Permanent Representations: • - Source of information, better understanding MS standpoints • Influence Council Regulations • ► Support from big MS is necessary • ► Involved in entire process; can be lobbied at all stages
3 4 1 2 Advocacy methods Advocacy Methods ►Develop and maintain relationships with key decision-makers, MEPs, etc. to get information about upcoming developments ►Conduct strategic outreach for specific interventions ►Develop “input” papers at the right time ►Participate in formal consultations ►Workshops/roundtables/seminars ►Petitions
4 3 1 2 Vision about Europe Overview on the European Union ► Where should the EU go and how should it relate to the South? ► What is Europe’s role in development cooperation (as opposed to US administration etc)? ► What is Europe’s role with regards to SRHR?
4 3 1 2 What do we ask from the EU/EC? We have got: ► Beautiful wording in policy documents ► EC funding has been decided upon (and has decreased) What do we precisely ask for?
4 3 1 2 Targets – Who is really in power? Who is in power? ► Be in solidarity with organisations with a broader/other mandate Improve knowledge on powerful NGOs ► Focus on Member States: - Double aid - Development policy decided by MS - Decisions made in capitals (especially in new MS) - Division of labour Outreach to Perm Reps ► Opponents: -Do you reach out to them? Defense or Attack? -Agree to disagree -Get policy makers on board if you can
4 3 1 2 Method – How to be most effective? (1) How to be effective? ► Messages: - New and innovative, no expert language - Political framework: MDGs, Acquis – how can you achieve your goals? - Economic rewards - Data, no emotions ► Include the South ► Understanding of political environment (underlying policy trends)
4 3 1 2 Method – How to be most effective? (2) How to be effective? ► Provide alternatives, not JUST critique ► Timing – hard to identify the right timing ► More media action => Media workshop & strategy ► Brussex