ECODEFENSE!inform 27-28 part B -------------------------------------------------------------- NGO - FORUM 1995 SOCIAL SUMMIT Here is some preliminary information on NGO Forum '95 Social Summit. It should, however, be stressed that it is temporary and that an international newsletter will be ready soon. The Host Committee for NGO Forum '95 is looking forward to the coming year's preparations for the Social Summit and to welcoming thousands of NGO (non-government organizations) and PO (popular organizations) representatives in Copenhagen, March 1995. The Host Committee has been elected by representatives of 100 Danish NGOs and POs. The Committee has established a Secretariat, headed by Secretary-General Jan Birket Smith. The Secretariat is funded by the Danish Government, which bears the running expenses of the Secretariat, newsletters, other preparatory activities as well as of the NGO Forum '95 itself. The fund does, however, not cover NGOs' and POs' travelling expenses and stay in Copenhagen. NGO Forum '95 will be the culmination of many months of worldwide preparation, the culmination will, however, not be a full stop. The work will continue after March 1995 with more ideas and more action as a result of the many international contacts established up to and during the Social Summit. We will provide you with information on the tasks of the Host Committee and the progress of the preparations for NGO Forum '95 in Copenhagen. You will also receive information about which facilities you can expect to find in Copenhagen. But now a few words about the reason for NGO activities up to and during the Social Summit. The issue of social development cannot only be left in the hands of politicians and government officials. It is a public matter in which everybody has to take an active part. Initiatives from NGOs and POs are decisive in order to ensure a more equal distribution of wealth as well as in ensuring social justice both internationally and nationally. Civil society in each country is able to influence their government and can insist that the promises of the government are not just scattered to the winds but actually result in action and changes. At global level civil society has an enormous potential. Together we can hold the UN and individual countries to their promises and resolutions. Without the participation of a dynamic civil society, the critics of the Social Summit might be right: thousands of beautiful words, promises and fine signatures on declarations and plans of action are not sufficient to alleviate a distorted world and social injustice. During the first part of the preparatory process of the Social Summit, it has been our impression that the UN is respecting the NGO community as a necesarry and important partner. We are looking forward to positive and constructive co)operation with the UN until the second PrepCom and in the future. Participants from all over the world At present we are facing two major problems, which must be solved in order to ensure that NGO Forum '95 will be a success: The participation of NGOs at PrepCom I in New York was characterized by a heavy predominance of participants from the North that is, participants from the USA, Canada, and Europe. Only a small number of NGOs and POs from the South and even fewer from the SNG countries were present. It is therefore of desicive importance to ensure that potential donors donate money in order to guarantee a broad participation of organizations from these parts of the world in NGO Forum '95. A large number of NGOs and POs from the developing countries is financially restricted from participating in the international preparations and from paying for the travel and stay in Copenhagen. NGOs and POs from the SNG countries are facing the same financial constraints. If we are not capable of ensuring financial support from donors and thereby facilitate the participation of NGOs from these ressource weak organizations in future work, the NGO Forum '95 will not be a success. Cooperation with the UN The UN has a structure and an organization, which have been firmly cemented through almost 50 years of activities. The UN's form of organization and decision)making procedures etc are very different from those of NGOs and POs. It is very important for the success of NGO Forum '95 to clarify how we should work together with the official Summit. During the PrepCom I a Facilitating Committee with a loose mandate was established by the NGOs and POs. The tasks and the mandate of the Committee will be discussed more closely at the second PrepCom in August 1994. It is not the task of the Host Committee to decide on or be an advocate for whether NGO Forum '95 is to have a Facilitating Committee or not. The reason why the question is brought up, is that it is important to find a solution to the co)operation between the NGO community and the UN. The tasks of the Host Committee It should be stressed that the Host Committee does not have a political mandate neither nationally nor internationally. The Host Committee's assigned tasks are: "information/communication" "coordination" "facilitation" Information NGO Forum '95 will keep you up to date on preparations going on in Copenhagen. You will receive the information through international networks (among others the one you are reading right now) and through our own newsletter. The Host Committee is also responsible for informing the Danish public about NGO Forum '95. It is essential that NGO Forum '95 does not become an isolated island in the Danish reality. Social development also concerns the Danes and by making use of the Danish press and involving Danish NGOs and POs, we will try to make sure that the public discussion becomes as comprehensive as possible. Coordination It is not within the mandate of the Host Committee to coordinate political point of views, it is, however, our duty to effect contacts between NGOs and POs, if they apply to our office for services. We will also be of assistance in passing on ideas and plans. The Host Committee will also coordinate the practical preparation and realization of NGO Forum '95 with the Danish Government and the UN. Facilitation The Host Committe is still negotiating with the municipality of Copenhagen about the physical settings of NGO Forum '95. The site in negotiation is a very large market place, which compromises a large hall and lots of adjoining buildings. The market place is located less than 1 kilometer from the center of Copenhagen and approximately 4 kilometers from the official Summit, which is held in the conference centre "Bella Centret". A shuttle service will be established, ensuring quick and regular transportation between NGO Forum '95 and the official Summit. The Forum will, furthermore, provide facilities for handicapped people. The market place is very suitable for the housing of large and diversified activities. For instance by offering the facility of accommodating up to 5000 people in one hall, furthermore, there will be rooms for workshops, exhibitions, and performances. We urge all the participants of NGO Forum '95 to think of alternative modes of expression. The official Summit will be characterized by heaps of paper, long meetings, and long speeches. The spoken and written word is the distinctive feature of an official conference. NGO Forum '95 should first and foremost be otherwise colourful and an exuberant experience for all senses. The issue of social development should find its expression in dance, song, theatre, processions, happenings, concerts, exhibitions ..... you name it, without loosing its political content. NGO Forum '95 will be open free of charge for all NGOs and POs, who want to participate and who have registered. The participants of NGO Forum '95 will have free access to NGO Forum '95's facilities. The citizens of Denmark and other countries can visit the NGO Forum '95 free of charge. All the arrangements will be open to everybody. Accommodations The Host Committee will arrange accommodation in hotels at various price ranges, and possibly in youth hostels as well as in private homes in order to make accommodation affordable to everybody. We are planning to send out the provisional application form by July, which should provide us with a general view of how many participants and what kind of activities we can expect. At present we calculate on the participation of 2 - 3000 NGOs and POs, and that about 10.000 people a day will visit the NGO - Forum '95. The deadline for the final registration will be in the end of November 1994. Organizations can register later, but after the deadline we cannot guarantee that we can fulfill requests for specific facilities and accommodation. In order to provide for the best planning, we kindly ask you to contact the Secretariat as soon as you know what facilities you will need in Copenhagen and the possible number of participants from your organization. For further information, please contact: NGO - Forum '95 Social Summit Copenhagen Njalsgade 13C DK2300 Copenhagen S Phone: +45 32 96 19 95 Fax: +45 32 96 89 19 _______________________________________________________________ *************************************************************** ECODEFENSE!inform bulletins get more than 150 env.NGOs of EARTH *************************************************************** Editorial Board thanks for financial help from "Sowing the Seeds of Democracy: A project for Environmental Grant-Making in tha NIS" program, which realize by ISAR. *************************************************************** The reprint are welcome (with the reference, if possible). *************************************************************** Editorial Board: Alexandra Koroleva, Vladimir Sliviak ***************************************************************