Summary: Workshop on Networking

The objective of this session was to discuss how to strengthen international cooperation through networking. Speakers outlined that governments and big international institutions cannot work alone and that partnership with civil society organisations is now essential. For these civil society organisations to be influential at the global level and gain louder voices, they need to be far better organised and interconnected. 

Mr. Cyril Ritchie (FIIG/WOCSOC) underlined that NGOs, through their networks, have had a significant impact on the drafting of many UN international conventions (e.g. Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on desertification and biological diversity). He stressed that the drafting process would not have reached the level of rapidity without the structured input of NGOs. He stressed the necessity to constantly drawn the governments’ attention to the fact that NGOs input is a true means for guaranteeing better work in the drafting of international conventions. Moreover, NGOs have to continue their pressure for the implementation of conventions adopted by governments.

Ms. Renate Bloem (CONGO) emphasized Article 71 of the UN Charter, which stipulates that NGOs need to be consulted if they have expertise. Over 50 years, CONGO has been actively promoting the involvement of NGOs in the work of the United Nations. She pointed out the 1996 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution, which calls for the participation of national NGOs in the UN system and receive consultative statute, a mean for NGOs to negotiate or at least influence the drafting rules. Since the 1990’s, the input of NGOs in the setting of the agenda is increasing, which is partly due to the fact that NGOs are getting more and more organised. Ms. Bloem stressed that one of the most important achievements of CONGO was the 1995 Beijing Conference, which was attended by 34, 000 NGOs.

Mr. Josep Xercavins (UBUNTU) pointed out that when talking about networking, reflections about globalisation are needed. Indeed, with the globalisation process, a big explosion of civil society organisations and movements has taken place. Questions on the role, representation and accountability of these flourishing organisations are to be posed. How to organise and communicate? What role do NGOs have to play in our current net-society? Mr. Xercavins said that NGOs need to find ways to organise, in order to be most influential at the global level and at the level of international institutions, such as the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO. The mandate of UBUNTU is to put into contact big networks and make NGOs work together and collaborate in order to react to current global situations. Mr, Xercavins estimated that one of the question civil society organisations should put on the table is the necessity to reform the architecture of big international institutions, with the ultimate goal of a more democratic system of representation. 

Mr. Henri Valot (UNV) pointed out the importance of volunteer’s mobilisation in the field. Today, 5,000 UN volunteers are working in 140 countries, as well as in all sectors of activities and more than 20,000 volunteer organisations exist. Voluntarism is defined in terms of traditional solidarity, caring and sharing. It also presents a multisectoral character in the sense that many actors are involved, not just international volunteers services, civic participation and militants (advocacy), but also private sector companies, social affairs government representatives, researchers and the media. Four components are needed in order to improve and strengthen networking cooperation: the use of the Internet, with the constitution of a website and a powerful database, inclusiveness, a network which carries values and participatory promotion. The 2001 International Year for Volunteers played an important role in strengthening existing volunteer networks and fostering new local and international partnerships.

Conclusions
Mr. Ritchie said that networking is a matter of shared-vision and solidarity. For an efficient networking cooperation, some determination, imagination and innovation are needed; NGOs have those qualities and as such, are competent actors.

Ms. Bloem concluded by saying that partnerships are one of the solutions to find ways to reduce poverty. Partnerships can be found through an increasing dialogue, outreach training and associated membership. She stressed that networking is essential in order to foster alliances between NGOs and that in the end it is the voices of civil society that need to be taken into account. She added that international organisations and governments cannot act alone anymore. According to Mr. Xercavins, four goals are to be met to foster networking cooperation: (1) the empowerment of civil society organisations, (2) the confidence with representatives, (3) the reinforcement of international institutions and (4) a most democratic system at all levels. Mr. Valot stressed that more and more agreements are being signed between international organisations and representatives of civil society organisations, which shows positive signs.

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