Which opportunities for civil society?
| Sito: | Moodle OBC - Transeuropa |
| Corso: | The Parliament of Rights |
| Libro: | Which opportunities for civil society? |
| Stampato da: | Utente ospite |
| Data: | giovedì, 25 aprile 2024, 10:35 |
1. Introduction
The European Union is often described as a distant and inaccessible institution. In fact, European citizens have many tools and opportunities to be actively involved in European politics and influence the work of the institutions.
In addition, in recent years European institutions have worked hard to promote openness, transparency, and information on their work. These general principles are confirmed in Article 10.3 of the Lisbon Treaty according to which “every citizen has the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union. Decisions are taken as openly and as close to citizens as possible".
In May 2021, the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission launched the Conference on the future of Europe, a real experiment in participatory democracy aimed at encouraging the participation of European citizens in defining the future of the Union.
In this section, we will study the main EP tools for active participation and hear about the experiences of civil society organisations and stakeholders promoting the improvement of anti-discrimination measures in the EU.
Watch this video and discover how European citizens can make their voice heard:
2. Working with intergroups
Intergroups play a key role in bringing civil society closer to European institutions. The ARDI intergroup is committed to giving a voice to civil society at European level on issues relating to discrimination. Alfiaz Vaiya offers a brief overview of how this happens on a daily basis.
Alfiaz explained to us that part of their job is to reach out to civil society groups to guide the work of MEPs who are committed to influencing the EU legislative process for better anti-discrimination policies. In turn, civil society groups can turn to intergroups to make their voices heard and influence the EU political agenda. Here Alfyaz explains how to contact ARDI:
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Tip:
Explore the website of a European Parliament intergroup (e.g. ARDI or Intergroup on LGBT rights) and take a look at their parliamentary and non-parliamentary activities. Do you find something particularly interesting or inspiring? Is there any initiative that can be an opportunity for your work (e.g. visibility, partnership, etc.)?
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Useful links to reach out to: |
3. Networking
There is the possibility for civil society organisations at local and national level to network and be represented by well-structured umbrella organisations, with presence in Brussels and Strasbourg, and thus be able to influence the EU institutions.
A concrete option for local NGOs or activist groups interested in promoting a more inclusive society and better anti-discrimination measures is to coordinate their efforts on the ground with those working at and European level.
One of the best known umbrella organisations active on these issues in Brussels is Social Platform, the largest civil society alliance for social justice and participatory democracy in Europe. We interviewed Annica Ryngbeck, who worked as a policy and advocacy advisor at Social Platform from 2014 to 2018 and explained to us how the organisation represents its 45 members in European institutions.
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Interview with Annica Ryngbeck, Policy and Advocacy advisor of Social Platform from 2014 to 2018 Q: Can you describe how Social Platform represents its members in EU institutions? A: Social Platform is a network of 45 pan-European NGOs. Social Platform works to ensure that EU policies are developed in partnership with the stakeholders they care for, respecting fundamental rights, promoting solidarity, and improving citizens' lives. Our members work on issues such as: gender equality, LGBT rights, the fight against poverty and discrimination, the rights of Roma people, the homeless, etc. On some political issues that affect the interests of multiple categories, we develop a joint position and recommendations which we then present to policymakers in bilateral meetings, or by inviting them to our events and public meetings. In 2016, we invited representatives from the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission to speak with us and our members and share the secrets of the advocacy profession at the EU institutions. Q: How does Social Platform raise awareness of EU institutions on discrimination and violence against specific groups such as the homeless and people with mental disorders? A: EU legislation recognises racist and xenophobic hate crimes but not other forms of intolerance and violence, such as those against LGBT, elderly, disabled or people in poverty. That is why in 2012 we came up with a position in favour of 'action against all forms of violence and prejudice', with recommendations addressed to policymakers and Member States for legislation to be extended to cover other forms of violence and to recognise additional needs like support for victims and professional training where relevant. For example, violence and harassment against mentally ill or homeless people rarely receive political attention. It is therefore important to give the topic visibility and recognition. An important part of our work is to ensure that not only the 'usual suspects' are invited to meetings with decision-makers, but also the representatives of civil society who work to combat other forms of intolerance. Many of our members are service providers and work on access to social services in the EU, such as education, housing, and care; others work on specific discrimination factors such as ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. Consequently, we seek to raise awareness and dialogue on non-discrimination as an important criterion for 'access' to services. This encourages organisations to collaborate, amplify their voices, and highlight the intersection of inequalities (for example, a Roma person may be a victim of violence based on both ethnicity and poverty, an older woman may suffer gender and age discrimination). Bringing cases and good practices to light is a way of showing the importance of approving the Equal Treatment Directive in access to goods and services, blocked in the Council since 2009. Q: What kind of advocacy tools do you use? A: First, we make sure that we are invited to relevant meetings in the European Parliament, both with individual MEPs and at hearings, to present our recommendations on the need to tackle all forms of hatred and intolerance. Secondly, we inform our members of important meetings or consultations at EU institutions, explaining why it is important to contribute to policy processes that they may not feel are directly related to their activity. For example, organisations working on anti-discrimination typically collaborate with the European Parliament intergroup on anti-racism and diversity, while service providers tend to collaborate with the intergroup on common goods and public services. As Social Platform, we seek to bring these politicians and stakeholders closer together and make them understand that anti-discrimination and access to goods and services are closely linked. |
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Food for thought Did you find this interview useful? Is there anything that surprised and/ or inspired you?
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4. Filing a petition
Any citizen of the European Union, a company, or an organisation can - individually or in association with others - submit a petition to the European Parliament on a subject within the EU competence and which directly involves them. In turn, the EP can set up a monitoring commission to check whether Member States have infringed European law.
Shane O’Curry, director of INAR (Irish Network Against Racism), helps us understand how civil society can make the most of this tool. In 2016, as part of the 'Love Not Hate' campaign, INAR launched a petition to the European Parliament to push the Irish government to adopt a hate crime law to protect various minorities in Ireland. INAR used the petition to the EP to initiate a European Commission inspection of Ireland on the obligation to implement the 2008 Framework Decision on racism and xenophobia.
In April 2021, thanks to the mobilisation promoted by INAR and the support of Senator Eileen Flynn, the Irish Minister of Justice announced a bill on hate crimes that will be promulgated by 2022.
Read more about INAR's petition to the European Parliament here: https://inar.ie/enar-ireland-triggers-european-parliaments-investigation-of-ireland-on-hate-crime/
Watch the video:
Food for thought
Did you find the INAR example useful? Is there anything that surprised you? Is there anything of this experience that you could apply to your work?
5. European Citizens' Initiative
The Lisbon Treaty introduced the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) which allows citizens to submit legislative proposals to the European Commission on matters falling within the competence of the EU. A legislative initiative must be supported by at least one million European citizens, and each group of organisers must be composed of at least 7 EU citizens residing in 7 different European countries.
The EP has taken steps to facilitate the operating procedures of this participatory democracy tool and undertakes to hold hearings on the initiatives that have collected the requested signatures.
The European Parliamentary Research Service has submitted a summary on the state of implementation of the ECI, with the description of the problems related to its implementation followed by some suggestions for improving it.
Read the brief notes published by the European Parliament and discover the different stages that make up the Citizens' Initiative.
Watch the video on how the ECI works:
If you are wondering whether these initiatives have a real influence, discover “Right2Water”, the first ECI to become law in December 2020.
Food for thought Did you already know the tool described here? Is there anything that has caught your attention so far? Would you use any of these tools in your advocacy strategy? |
6. European Ombudsperson
The European Parliament appoints the European Ombudsman. The European Ombudsman investigates cases of maladministration in the actions of the institutions, bodies, offices, and agencies of the European Union, acting on their own initiative or following a complaint lodged by an EU citizen.
Any citizen of the European Union, body, organisation, natural or legal person residing or based in a Member State can make a complaint to the European Ombudsman.
7. Other EP tools available to EU citizens
The transparency register
Groups and organisations of various kinds take part in the definition of EU policies: bearers of private interests but also of civil society, representatives of public interests. Accounting for the ways in which decisions are made by institutions is a fundamental element of democracy. The EU has therefore set up a transparency register in order to ensure adequate control over the groups and organisations that interact with the European Parliament and the European Commission in the decision-making process, so that the EU institutions act responsibly in the general interest.
The Transparency Portal offers various other tools to ensure that decision-making in the EU is participatory and transparent. These include: public consultations; information on who receives funding from the EU budget; the documents used or produced in the process of developing and adopting regulations.
Dialogue with religious and non-confessional organisations
An instrument that sees the European Parliament directly involved in the organisation of a series of events to promote and facilitate inter-religious dialogue. The Lisbon Treaty of 2009 (Article 17 of the TFEU) included informal contacts between EU institutions and churches, religious associations, philosophical and non-confessional organisations within a legal framework to foster an open and transparent dialogue Between the parties. The EP actively participates in this dialogue by organising debates and conferences.
The European coordinator for children rights
The position, initially called "Mediator of the European Parliament for cases of international child abduction", was established in 1987 with the aim of helping children born to married and unmarried couples of different nationalities who are victims of abduction by a parent. The EP actively participates in the legislative debate, putting the experience of the Coordinator's Office at the service of citizens.
Eurobarometer
The Eurobarometer is a tool for polling citizens' views on the European Parliament, its image and role, their knowledge of the institution, sense of belonging in the European Union, identity, citizenship, priorities, and political values. The Special Eurobarometer on discrimination in the EU has been published since 2006: the most recent data are from 2019.
Prizes
The activity of the European Parliament in the field of fundamental rights is also expressed through the four awards assigned each year in recognition of excellence in relation to human rights, cinema, youth projects, and civic sense.
Patronage
The EP annually provides its moral support to a number of events (conferences, debates, seminars, summer universities, awards, competitions, festivals, etc.) which meet certain conditions.
8. For effective Advocacy
In the previous activity, you explored the tools available to EU citizens to influence the Union legislative process and raise awareness on anti-discrimination issues. You also heard the experience of civil society organisations active in reaching out to key stakeholders to achieve the institutional changes needed to pursue your goals.
We hope this course has raised your awareness of the tools at your disposal to take action for change in society. See the 8 steps to effective advocacy action in the infographic below.
DEFINE YOUR GOALS AND MAP YOUR STAKEHOLDERS
Once a meaningful and realistic goal has been defined, it is important to do stakeholder mapping.
Such mapping is a visual exercise and analysis tool that you can use to determine who to approach. Mapping allows you to identify stakeholders and their relationships, making it easier to understand the decision-making process in the context in which you live and work.
The first step is to understand that there are no magic lists: the final list depends on the objectives, the specific situation, and/ or exceptional events. The mapping will evolve with the situation and with stakeholders themselves. We therefore invite you to use this tool with great flexibility.
Brainstorm the stakeholders who have the power to influence, both negatively and positively, the decision-making processes related to your goal, without forgetting the neutral ones.
It can be helpful to start with the stakeholders you are in regular contact with (if any), and then move on to those outside your comfort zone. Try to think outside the box for a chance to get to the lesser known ones.
You can use the approach you prefer to make your mapping. You can draw it and then take a photo for easy sharing. You can also use a PowerPoint or Word document, using text boxes, graphics, and arrows to better visualise the relationships between stakeholders and your target. Alternatively, you can use one of the free mind mapping software, such as mindmeister and xmind.