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ECODEFENSE!inform 27-28 part B
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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
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