National platforms – one of effective tools for advocacy European Public Health Alliance National platforms – one of effective tools for advocacy Agnese Knabe Project coordinator European Public Health Alliance Civic Alliance – Latvia 8-9 September, 2006, Estonia

European Public Health Alliance The idea of networking 2. Concept of advocacy 3. European Public Health Alliance – European network 8-9 September, 2006, Estonia

The idea of networking Networks Contacts and relations between people, based on confidence and solidarity, what gives social capital Pjer Burdje (expert social capital) Personal tool what ensures important advantages to individuals, groups, families, who has better contacts

Relations and collaboration between different persons The idea of networking Network Relations and collaboration between different persons individuals Groups Organisations

The idea of networking Types Official Un-official Long-term Short-term

The idea of networking Culture and values Common aim Confidence Respect of different opinions Support Responsibilities Awareness about the aim and the tools

The idea of networking Motivation for collaboration Sense of security Mutual benefit Information recourse Knowledge New contacts (recourses) Accumulation of the recourses Influence the quality of your life

Concept of advocacy Advocacy Purposeful actions to advocate the interests of concrete group Influence policy and legislation (lobby) Influence the public opinion WH

Lobbying Employing persons to influence legislators to sponsor laws that further one's own interest or inhibit those of one's opponents. Stating your position on specific legislation to legislators or other government employees who participate in the formulation of legislation, or urge your members to do so (direct lobbying). Stating your position on legislation to the general public and asking the general public to contact legislators or other government employees who participate in the formulation of legislation (grassroots lobbying).

Lobbying Why lobby? - because it can bring about policy changes that improve peoples' lives. Lobbying is the process of trying to influence policymakers in favour of a specific cause or point of view. How ? Using personal contacts, public pressure, or political action to persuade legislators to vote in a particular manner. Advocacy is all activities undertaken to influence policy.

Lobbying actions Monitor - what is happening in the institutions? What are the new policy trends, legal proposals? Analyse - what could this mean for your member organisations or target group? What actions are needed - passive monitoring or active lobbying? Inform - explain the background of the issue, basic elements of the proposal, the timeframe for action Raise awareness - ensure that your members understand the implications for them and their issues of this policy or legislation Engage - encourage debate, exchange of ideas, brainstorm on what should be the goals of lobbying

Lobbying actions Consult - gather viewpoints from communities and target groups - particularly those affected by the policy proposal Challenge - the policy-makers and other stakeholders to address your concerns or provide evidence and arguments for their positions Empower - provide the tools for NGOs to act, eg draft letters, opportunities to sign-up, attend meetings with policy-makers, Represent - bringing forward the diversity of voices of civil society, public interest, visibility through the media  Follow-up - keep up the momentum, follow the policy through to implementation, evaluation and review

European Public Health Alliance A network of more than 100 non governmental and not-for-profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues mission is to improve the health of European citizens and to increase their participation in EU policy-making

About EPHA Information exchange Membership services Lobbying: > EU institutions Networking: > Other health NGOs > Other thematic NGOs Tracking policy issues: > Day to day analysis > Mailings - Briefings

EPHA members EPHA has two categories of membership: Full members Associate members EPHA membership fees are based on the income of the member organisation

EPHA members International networks European networks National organisations

EPHA members Health advocates Disease specific patient groups Academic researchers Health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses and pharmacists) Consumer groups Environment organisations Development organisations

EPHA members Benefit for members Information on actual Public health issues and EU policy developments Monthly Newsletter web page members only site Expertise on political and legal documents Advocacy in European level Contacts Project opportunities Capacity building activities

How does EPHA work? Advocacy Working groups At present there are 5 ongoing working groups on the following subjects: Alcohol Health care Non-conventional medicine Food and Nutrition Health and Environment Health and Enlargement Pharmaceuticals

How does EPHA work? Policy Co-ordination Meetings Meeting every two months in Brussels, this group is open to all EPHA members. Contributions to the meeting are also received via e-mail

How does EPHA work? Lobbying: > EU institutions Networking: > Other health NGOs > Other thematic NGOs Tracking policy issues: > Day to day analysis > Mailings - Briefings

Consulting members on major policy The officers agree a topic on which a policy should be developed The secretariat, one of the members, or an outside consultant, is invited to produce a first draft Members are invited to comment The revised text is re-submitted to the membership, with a clear deadline for any last-minute response The Executive Committee then endorses the final text as EPHA policy. It may reject the proposed policy/text; or, alternatively, allow it to be adopted along with a minority report The object of the exercise is to achieve agreement by consensus

Consulting members: an example EPHA was involved in the policy work to ensure that a new EU Directive on Services in the Internal Market will not undermine health services Members put the issue as a work priority The Secretariat spread members’ positions The Secretariat met with EU policy-makers Awareness grew rapidly Many policymakers now share EPHA’s vision More information: http://www.epha.org/r/83

What does EPHA stand for? Health protection as a goal in all EU policy- making - e.g. health impact assessments for all proposed legislation Involvement of citizens in decision-making related to their own health Equal access to good quality healthcare for all EU citizens

The role of NGOs in Brussels Many EU policies have an impact – direct or indirect – on the health of EU citizens 15,000 to 20,000 lobbyists in Brussels and ONLY 10% are NGOs representing citizens’ interests Networking and alliances are the ONLY way to make our voice heard - You are unlikely to succeed alone. Use other NGOs resources rather than “re-invent the wheel” on your own.

European Public Health Alliance 39-41 Rue d’Arlon B-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 230 30 56 Fax: +32 2 233 38 80 epha@epha.org www.epha.org

Civic Alliance Latvia Gertrudes street 19/21 – 3 Riga Tel: +371 7846467 Fax: +371 7846466 agnese@nvo.lv www.nvo.lv

National platform What is the benefit of collaboration What are the risks for successful collaboration How the system should look like What recourses do we need What are the current topics for the network