Summary: Information Related to the World Civil Society Forum
| Time: |
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15 July 2002, 12:00-13:00;
RS 21:59 15-Sep-02 |
| Location: |
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ICCG 1 |
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Moderator(s): | | • Mr. Sébastien Ziegler, President of the World Civil Society Forum Steering Committee, Mandat International (MI)
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Presenters/ Participants: | | • Mr. Daniel Alexander, Institute for Integrated Rural Development (India) (IIRD)
• Mr. Mamadou N'diaye, Office Africain pour le Développement et la Coopération (OFADEC)
• Mr. Rubén Ortiz, Asociación de Agroturismo y Ecoturismo Indígena
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| Reporter: |
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Martha Tepepa (ICVolunteers) |
| Language: |
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French, Spanish and English |
| Key words: |
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International cooperation, NGOs, World Civil Society Forum, Network, Information Platform, Regional Coordinators, UN agencies, Strength cooperation |
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An introduction to the objectives of the Forum were presented in this session by the Chairman of the Forum Steering Committee, Sébastien Ziegler.
Mr. Sébastien Ziegler gave a brief introduction concerning the original idea for the World Civil Society Forum (WCSF) that came out of the Millennium Forum held in New York in 2000 and the preparatory meeting organized in July 2001. He said that the objectives of the WCSF were to strengthen and coordinate international civil society cooperation by:
- Promoting cooperation among civil society organizations across the world and working in different fields of activity, especially with developing countries and indigenous peoples;
- Facilitating cooperation between civil society and the UN system, including its specialized agencies, and other international organizations;
- Creating space for dialogue on the relation between the different stakeholders of the international scene, such as civil society organizations, international organizations, governments and the private sector;
- Considering the constitution of a permanent forum for world civil society.
Mr. Ziegler explained that if civil society works together, better results can be achieved. He added that one of the great advantages of the Forum was that it provided the opportunity for exchange not only among civil society organizations, but also with various UN agencies.
Election Process about the Continued Forum
Mr. Ziegler presented the election process for the Continued Forum and encouraged participants to start naming potential regional coordinators and candidates for a Coordinating Council.
Virtual Information Platform
Mr. Ziegler also announced the establishment of the Internet Information Platform, a tool to facilitate dialogue among representatives from different sectors and fields of activity. Regardless of the election results on the Continued Forum, this platform will remain as a link between NGOs worldwide to facilitate the exchange of information and the creation of new partnerships.
Mr. Ziegler clarified that WCSF is not trying to compete with or substitute for other forums (specifically Porto Alegre). Rather, the WCSF aims to support existing efforts by building much-needed networks among UN agencies, civil society, and NGOs.
Feedback from Participants
Ms. Anne-Marie Mukwayanzo of FCDD addressed the fact that women were underrepresented at the Forum. She proposed the creation of a special committee for youth and women.
The regional coordinators from Africa, Asia and Latin America presented their views and experiences of organizing their participation in the Forum.
Steering Committee member Mr. Mamadou Ndiaye encouraged delegates to submit candidates and participate in the election on the Continued Forum.
Mr. Rubén Ortiz presented the Alianza latinoamericana de redes de ONGs, which has held two meetings and whose main achievement has been the addition of the issues of indigenous peoples to the agenda of Latin American NGOs.
Mr. Daniel Alexander mentioned the importance of working together to increase in-kind assistance and overcome financial difficulties. He also mentioned the regional meeting planned in Asia to form a group supporting the Continued Forum in the future.
Conclusions
Mr. Ziegler concluded by observing that the election would determine whether the majority of participants were in favour of a Continued Forum. In this case, a new central committee and regional coordinators would be asked to work to gather propositions, further specify the Forum's mandate, increase cooperation among regions, and start discussions on practical issues. The question of where, when and how the next Forum would take place could be answered after the need for it was confirmed.
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