Programme Model, Description
& Summary No. 11 (1st of April 2007)

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4th CEE CITIZENS NETWORK CONFERENCE
& DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

May 2007 in Estonia

1. Title of whole Development Programme: "Developing on of Central and Eastern European Citizens Network (CEE CN) for civil society and social development and 4 CEE Citizens Network Conference"

2. Time: (16) 17 - 19 (20) May 2007

3. Place:

3.1 Tallinn, Capital of Estonia; Tallinn Olympic Sailing Sport Centre (TOP); some events in different conference and cultural venues according to the conference programme in Tallinn and other regions of Estonia (Art Museum of Estonia KUMU, regions of Estonia etc.)

4. Participants of the 4th Central and Eastern European Citizens Network (CEE CN) Conference 2007:

  • Number of participants approximately 200 civil society actors (NGOs) and partners from public and international organizations in general
  • CEE CN member states delegations (2 civic activists; 1 representative of local authority; one CEE CN representative or staff person of each member organization) - 70 - 90 participants; included participants from Poland, Russia and Belarus
  • Delegates and representatives from Baltic States - Latvia & Lithuania - about 10
  • Delegates and representatives from Nordic Countries: Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland - about 20
  • Guests - about 10 - 20
  • US participants - about 20
  • Presenters & speakers - about 10 - 20
  • Estonian NGOs - approximately 50 representatives (at conference)
  • Estonian NGOs & representatives - approximately 150 additional representatives from local NGOs and local administrations in regions during study visits day

5. General theme of 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference 2007:

5.1 "Citizens Action, Power and Politics"

6. 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference 2007 General Framework:

6.1 General theme or topic of the 4th CEE CN Civil Society Conference 2007

6.2 Sub-themes - sub-topics of and in work-shops and seminars of 4th CEE CN Civil Society Conference 2007

6.3 Best practices and exchange of experiences (case studies from regions and NGOs)

6.4 Regional & Cross-sector or General work-shops and … (Day II - Regional & Cross-sector Day)

6.5 … and thematic work-shops (Day I - Thematic Day)

6.6 Trans-Atlantic Day and/or Session (Day II - Regional & Cross-sector Day)

6.7 European Day and/or Session … (Day II - Regional & Cross-sector Day) (European Union and 50th Anniversary of Treaty of Rome) [Comparison of Western European and Central and Eastern European practices in Citizens Participation, Human Rights and developments in Belarus, Russia, Moldova, etc.]

6.8 Session on Citizen Participation Week (CPW)

6.9 Study visits (Day III - Study Visits Day)

6.10 All countries and members of CEE CN can and shall participate in moderation (moderators), speaking or presenting (speakers or presenters) and best practices presenting (best practice examples and presenters) process

7. Sub-themes and subjects of and in work-shops and seminars of 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference 2007:

7.1 Inclusion of citizens & NGOs into decision making process (development process; best practice, codes of conduct, etc.)

7.2 Cooperation between NGOs and local authorities (for civil society development and community development; corporate social responsibility)

7.3 Best practices and exchange of experiences (case studies from regions and NGOs)

[8.4 Citizens and NGO relations and advocacy and representative of community]

7.5* Networks and networking as the structures and governance method for Civil Society Development in 21st Century

7.6* New technologies and technological initiatives for citizens and NGO participation

7.7* Thematic work-shops (environment & sustainable development; social dialogue & social inclusion; community based NGOs & community development; housing strategies & sustainable community development; culture and identity of regions and lifelong learning; integration of minorities into societies)

8. Aim of 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference 2007 is to:

  • Discuss, organise and develop the possibilities for NGO cooperation in the Central and Eastern Europe region;
  • Discuss, organise and develop the possibilities for NGO cooperation in the Baltic Sea region;
  • Exchange positive experiences and knowledge among NGOs;
  • Develop and improve the CEE Citizen Network - Resolutions for further action on the part of the CEE Citizen Network come from the conference;
  • Discuss the necessity of work and interest of NGOs in thematic subjects;
  • Receive and distribute possibilities of the European Union in relation to international cooperation in order to develop civil society and NGOs and to plan according joint projects;
  • Raise awareness on the main objectives of the European Union within the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Roma
  • Launch cooperation with Council of Europe and its Division of International NGOs;
  • Develop on cooperation with USA and other international partners
  • Talk and design possibilities for development cooperation and exchange of experiences inside Baltic Sea and Central and Eastern European regions
  • Talk and design possibilities for cooperation and exchange of experiences between regions and several networks (thematic; regional; cross-sector)
  • Advocacy and development of Concept of European Green Capital and Projects Tallinn and Turku as the European Capitals of Culture 2011 in cooperation with authorities and representatives of Civil Society

9. Substantial arguments for 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference 2007:

9.1 Priorities of the CEE Citizens Network:

1) The mission of CEE Citizens Network is to promote citizen participation in CEE and provide opportunities for grassroots initiatives to learn and exchange experiences and ideas

2) The main aim of the Network is to ensure democratic systems through citizen participation. Democratic systems endure when there is the mutually reinforcing practice and belief of free citizen participation. Both the practices and beliefs are new in CEE. That is why citizen participation needs to be fostered

3) Objectives of CEE CN are: 3.1) Increase awareness about citizen initiatives; 3.2) Increase skills and capacities of citizens; 3.3) Promote joint initiatives between countries

9.2 The Future Convent of European Union with its contact group on civil society foremost united the organisations and NGOs of four large fields of activity (according to the former Chairman of the Contact Group for NGOs - Dick Oosting):

1) human rights and protection of human rights; 2) environment and protection of environment; 3) social issues; 4) development cooperation

9.3 Priorities of European Parliament and European Commission for Civil Society Development:

1) Connecting Europe to citizens as one of key priorities

2) The White Paper on Communication as a major new initiative of the European Commission to develop participation in Europe

3) European Parliament is democratically elected body

9.4 Priorities of Council of Europe for Civil Society Development:

1) The aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members

2) European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations as the main rule laying down the conditions for recognition of the legal personality of these organisations in order to facilitate their activities at European level

3) Main role is to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout its member states

4) International NGO Division of Council of Europe as body for Civil Society Development and cooperation between NGOs in Europe

10. Outline and content programme of the 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference:

10.1) Day I - Opening & Thematic Day: "Thematic Civic Initiatives" (Opening Plenary Session; Development Plenary Session "From Citizen's Action to Civic and Social Dialogue"; Informative Plenary Session "4 CEE Citizens Network Conference 2007"; Thematic Workshops B1 - B6)

10.2) Day II - Regional & Cross-sector Day & Closing: "International and Cross-sector Civic Initiatives and opportunities" (Regional & Cross-sector Workshops; Trans-Atlantic workshops; Closing Plenary Session)

10.3) Day III - Study Visits Day: "Country Civic Initiatives" (Study visits & mini-conferences - regional cooperation conferences in civil society development in regions of Estonia)

10.4) Excerpt "4th CEE CN Civil Society Conference: programme concerning contents" is used as independent content programme

10.5) Outline and content programme of the 4th CEE CN Civil Society Conference (in general at the Pirita TOP SPA Hotel, Tallinn Olympic Sailing Sport Centre (TOP)):

*** Thursday, 17th of May 2007 (Art Museum of Estonia KUMU)

10.1 9.00 - 9.45 I. OPENING PLENARY SESSION (A1)

10.2 9.45 - 12.15 II. DEVELOPMENT PLENARY SESSION "From Citizen's Action to Civic and Social Dialogue" (A2)

Moderators: Helmut Hallemaa, Programme Manager,Estonian NGO Roundtable Foundation, Member of Coordinating Team, CEE Citizens Network (Estonia) &

Chuck Hirt, Director, CEE Citizens Network (Slovakia)

  • 50 years of the Treaty of Rome: European Parliament and European Commission for Participatory Democracy - Official representative from European Parliament or Official representative from European Commission - (Brussels, Belgium, Estonia)*
  • Activities of Council of Europe and its Division of INGO-s - (Strasbourg, France)*
  • Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe: status and perspective - (Belarus)
  • Civil Society Developments in Estonia: Estonian Civil Society Development Concept (EKAK) and other common activities - (Estonia)
  • Tallinn - City of civic initiatives, European Capital of Culture 2011 and Mother of European Green Capital - Mayor of Tallinn (Estonia)
  • National Networks and National "Platforms" in Europe, Summary about mapping: Summary of EC Project "Missing Link in EU Engagement" - Christiana Weidel, Programme Manager & General Secretary, CEDAG (Brussels, Belgium), Head of Board, The World of NGOs (Austria)
  • Trans - Atlantic Cooperation and CEE Citizens Network- Paul Vandeventer, President, USA Community Partners (Los Angeles, USA)

- Open Debate on Citizens' Participation and Cooperation of Third or Civic Sector and Public Sector Business Sector - Key Issue of New Type of Governance

10.3 12.15 - 13.00 III. INFORMATIVE PLENARY SESSION "4 CEE Citizens Network Conference 2007" (A3)

10.4 13.00 - 14.30 Visit-excursion at the Art Museum of Estonia KUMU (A4)

10.5 Day I - Thematic Day: "Thematic Civic Initiatives" (Pirita TOP SPA Hotel, TOP)

10.6 16.00 - 18.15 IV. THEMATIC WORKSHOPS (B1 - B6)

10.7 B1: Environment and sustainable development: Local Agenda 21 and other strategies

10.8 B2: Social dialogue and social inclusion

10.9 B3: Development Societies and community based NGOs in and for community development

10.10 B4: Housing strategies and sustainable community development

10.11 B5: Culture and identity of regions and lifelong learning

10.12 B6: Integration of minorities into societies, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, and European Union's neighbouring policies

10.13 20.00 - 23.00 * RECEPTION hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Estonia and Estonian Organizing Committee of 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference *

(Estonian Open Air Museum at Rocca al Mare, Vabaõhumuusemi tee 12, Tallinn)

* "Living History Party (Ehe Eesti Pidu)" *

*** Friday, 18th of May 2007 (TOP, Pirita TOP SPA Hotel)

10.14 Day II - Regional & Cross-sector Day: "International and Cross-sector Civic Initiatives and opportunities"

10.15 9.00 - 11.15 V. CROSS-SECTOR WORKSHOPS (C 1 - C 6)

10.16 C1: NGO Support Systems and structures for civil society development (included financial and project possibilities)

10.17 C2: Networks, platforms and networking as the working structures and method for Civil Society Development in 21st Century

10.18 C3: New technological initiatives for civil society and for citizens' participation

10.19 C4: Development Cooperation inside Central and Eastern Europe

10.20 C5: Citizens' participation: citizens and NGOs in decision making process

10.21 C6: Local Authorities and NGOs: competitors or partners

10.22 11.45 - 14.00 VI. TRANS-ATLANTIC WORKSHOPS (D1 - D6)

10.23 15.30 - 17.30 VII. CLOSING PLENARY SESSION (E1)

  • CEBSD (Combined European Bureau for Social Development)
  • 7th Baltic Sea NGO Forum (Riga, Latvia in May 2008) - Ilze Murniece, Project Coordinator, Civic Alliance-Latvia (Latvia)
  • General summaries of the Development Plenary Session and all types of workshops
  • CEE CN: The Past - The Present - The Future - Chuck Hirt, Director, CEE Citizens Network (Slovakia)
  • Citizen's Participation Week - Mate Varga, Member of Coordinating Team, CEE Citizens Network, Head of Board, Hungarian Association for Community Development, Hungary (Hungary)

10.24 20.00 - 22.30 * RECEPTION hosted by Mr. Toomas Vitsut, Chairman of City Council of Tallinn, and Mayor of Tallinn *

(Tallinn Teachers House, Raekoja plats 14 / Vene 5, Tallinn Old Town)

* Best Practices award *

*** Saturday, 19th of May 2007

10.25 Day III - Study Visits Day: "Country Civic Initiatives"

10.26 8.00 - 19.30 VIII. STUDY VISITS & MINICONFERENCES (F1 - F5)

- F1: City of Tallinn,F2: City of Tartu, F3: City of Pärnu, F4: Sillamäe Town, City of Kohtla -

Järve & Rakvere Town, F5: Viiratsi Local Community, Viljandi Town & Paide Town & and

respective counties

()* to be confirmed

11. For Conference shall be prepared and printed book or set of materials of 4 CEE Citizens Network Conference and Programme (Civil Society Development in Europe, European Union and USA)

12. Organisers:

  • Estonian Organising Committee (Steering Committee) of the 4th CEE CN Conference 2007 (www.emy.ee/4ceecn; www.ceecn.net)
  • Central and Eastern European Citizens Network (& national members) (www.ceecn.net)
  • Estonian NGO Roundtable Foundation (www.emy.ee)
  • Representative Council of the Estonian NGO Roundtable (www.emy.ee)

13. Estonian Organising Committee (Estonian Steering Committee) (www.emy.ee/4ceecn):

1)Helmut Hallemaa (Chairman of Estonian Organising Committee; Coordinator of CEE CN Conference; Programme Manager; CEE CN Coordinating Team; Estonian NGO Roundtable Foundation; Development and Stabilization Foundation; Viljandi Town Government; (+372) 513 1241; helmut.hallemaa@mail.ee, arengussa@hot.ee)

2)Mart Hiob (Supilinna (Soup Town) Association, City of Tartu)

3)Kaja Kaur - Enterprise Estonia Foundation

4)Agu Laius (Jaan Tõnisson Institute; agu@jti.ee)

5)Reet Laja (Estonian NGO Roundtable; ENUT - The Estonian Women's Studies and Resource Centre; Estonian Women's Roundtable)

6)Andrus Lepp (Estonian NGO Roundtable Foundation; Estonian NGO Roundtable)

7)Toomas Sepp (City Office, Tallinn City Government)

8)Uno Silberg (Association of Municipalities of Estonia)

9)Triinu Täht (Council Office, Tallinn City Council)

10)Tiiu Viljasaar (2nd Bureau of 1st Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Estonia), etc.

*** To the work of the Estonian Organising Committee (Estonian Steering Committee) have been invited as members representatives from Ministry of Internal Affairs of Estonia, Enterprise Estonia Foundation, Estonian Village Movement Kodukant and other partners

14. Local Expert Team:

1)Merle Haruoja (Estonian Institute of Human Rights)

2)Riina Kallas (Estonian NGO Roundtable)

3) Maret Merisaar (Coalition Clean Baltic; Estonian Green Movement; Parliament of Estonia Riigikogu)

4) Erle Rikmann (Research and Development Centre of Civil Society, University of Tallinn)

5) Avo Üprus (Estonian NGO Roundtable; Association of Social Rehabilitation; Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (EELC)); etc.

15. International Organising Committee (International Steering Committee):

CEE CN Coordinating Team in close cooperation with CEE CN Representative Team - members Chuck Hirt (Slovakia), Igor Stojanovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Giorgi Meskhidze (Georgica), Mate Varga (Hungary) & Helmut Hallemaa (Estonia); director of CEE CN Chuck Hirt (Slovakia); coordinator of CEE CN Anna Karailieva (Slovakia)

16. Technical layout:

1) Estonian NGO Roundtable Foundation in close cooperation with other partners

2) Estonian Organizing Committee in close cooperation with other partners; etc.

17. Partners: 1) Estonian Association of Local Administrations; 2) Estonian Association of Cities; 3) ERKAS - Estonian Regional and Local Development Foundation; 4) Estonia Village Movement Kodukant; 5) Jaan Tõnisson Institute; 6) Development and Stabilization Foundation; 7) Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB); 8) REC; 9) Baltic Sea Environment Forum; 10) Estonian Green Movement; 11) Estonian Association of Nature Conservation; 12) Caritas Estonia; 13) Government of Estonia; 14) Parliament of Estonia; 15) Parliament of Estonia, Support Group for Implementing of Estonian Civil Society Development Concept (EKAK); 16) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; 17) Ministry of Internal Affairs of Estonia; 18) Joint Commission for Implementing of Estonian Civil Society Development Concept (EKAK) of Estonian Government and NGOs; 19) Estonian Chamber of Trade and Commerce; 20) Estonian Women´s Roundtable; 21) Pärnumaa Women´s Roundtable; 22) Pärnumaa NGO Roundtable; 23) Council of Europe; 24) European Parliament; 25) European Commission; etc.

18. Estimated donors and supporters:

18.1 European Organizations (European Parliament's Directorate General for Information; Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM); Council of Europe (Division of International NGOs); European Commission - CEE CN Project for 2006 - 2007; Sponsorship of European business enterprises and companies; etc.)

18.2 European Funds (Trust Fund for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe; Balkan Trust Fund; Ford Moscow Fund; Friedrich Ebert Stiftung; Friedrich Naumann Stiftung; Konrad Adenauer Stiftung; SIDA - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sweden); C.S. MOTT Foundation; Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development - Inter-cooperation; European Agency for Reconstruction; etc.)

18.3 US Organizations (US Agency for International Aid (USAID); etc.)

18.4 US Funds (German Marshal Fund; Rockefeller Brothers Fund; etc.)

18.5 Estonian Organizations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Ministry of Internal Affairs of Estonia; Government of Estonia & State Budget; Foreign Embassies in Estonia; Local Administrations of Estonia; Tallinn/Pärnu/Tartu City Council; Tallinn/Pärnu/Tartu City Government; Harju/Pärnu/Tartu and other respective County Governments; Sponsorship of Estonian business enterprises and companies; etc.)

18.6 Estonian Funds (Council of Gambling Tax; Environmental Investment Centre of Estonia; Enterprise Estonia Foundation; Cultural Endowment of Estonia; NGO Fund (Norwegian and European Economical Region's Financial Mechanisms); etc.)

18.7 Others (UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF); Registration Fees [75 EUR (without accommodation), 210 EUR (accommodation in double rooms; four nights) & 590 EUR (accommodation in single rooms; four nights); 95 USD (without accommodation), 270 USD (accommodation in double rooms; four nights) & 750 USD (accommodation in single rooms; four nights); 570 EEK* (without accommodation), 3285 EEK (accommodation in double rooms; four nights) & 9230 EEK (accommodation in single rooms; four nights)]; etc.)

19. Budget of 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference Program:

1) Total amount of budget approximately 2750 400 EEK // 175 782 EUR // 222 839 USD

(On 1st of October 2006 *** 1 EEK = 15,6466 EUR ***1 EUR = 1,2677 USD)

20. Program period (Program duration):

1) 1st of January 2006 - 31st of December 2007 (24 months)

2) First period: preparation and starting up period of programme, 01.01.2006 - 12.06.2006

2) Second period: preparation and organising period of conference, 13.06.2006 - 31.03.2007

3) Third period: conference conducting and coming about period, 01.04.2007 - 30.06.2007

4) Fourth period: concluding period of conference and programme, 01.07.2007 - 31.12.2007

Composed by Helmut Hallemaa + 372513 1241 helmut.hallemaa@mail.ee www.emy.ee/4ceecn

Coordinator of 4th CEE Citizens Network Conference & Programme Manager
Chairman of Estonian Organising Committee
CEE CN Coordinating Team & Estonian NGO Roundtable Foundation
Viljandi Town Government
Estonian NGO Roundtable Foundation. All rights reserved.