Parallel discussion II: Effective and empowered civil society in public health Moderator: Florence Berteletti Kemp Director – SmokeFreePartnership

People’ are at the core of health policy: they are health service users, financial contributors, and care givers. People’ are at the core of health policy: they are health service users, financial contributors, and care givers. Strengthening their role in developing health policies is crucial to achieving democratic accountability for health. The question remains about how EU policy-makers respond to these calls for stakeholder engagement, and the limits of resource-pressured NGOs to fulfil expectations and meet demand. Strengthening their role in developing health policies is crucial to achieving democratic accountability for health. The question remains about how EU policy-makers respond to these calls for stakeholder engagement, and the limits of resource-pressured NGOs to fulfil expectations and meet demand.

Key Questions for this session: How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? What would be an appropriate approach for NGOs to feel included in the process and able to fully engage? What would be an appropriate approach for NGOs to feel included in the process and able to fully engage? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes?

Key Questions for this session: How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? Is this is an appropriate approach where NGOs feel they are included in the process and able to fully engage? Is this is an appropriate approach where NGOs feel they are included in the process and able to fully engage? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes?

Different views on Sanco’s stakeholders: A person or organisation with legitimate interests in/or the ability to deliver DG Sanco’s mission and vision A person or organisation with legitimate interests in/or the ability to deliver DG Sanco’s mission and vision A person or organisation who affects, or can be affected by DG Sanco’s actions A person or organisation who affects, or can be affected by DG Sanco’s actions − Which definition is used by the EC and DG Sanco? − Which definition would YOU choose?

EU Forums and Platforms: pros and cons: A dialogue between NGOs and industries early in the policy making process helps to identify the difficult issues? A dialogue between NGOs and industries early in the policy making process helps to identify the difficult issues? Industries are better equipped to continue lobbying other DGs; NGOS do not have the same capacity? Industries are better equipped to continue lobbying other DGs; NGOS do not have the same capacity? By treating all stakeholders equally, this ignores and institutionalises the inequalities that exists between stakeholders (resources and access)? By treating all stakeholders equally, this ignores and institutionalises the inequalities that exists between stakeholders (resources and access)?

Questions to consider to respond to this question: What constitute success in stakeholder engagement between DG Sanco and its stakeholders? What constitute success in stakeholder engagement between DG Sanco and its stakeholders? Does success mean that all view points have been heard or that all view points have been taken on board? Does success mean that all view points have been heard or that all view points have been taken on board?

Key Questions for this session: How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? What would be an appropriate approach for NGOs to feel included in the process and able to fully engage? What would be an appropriate approach for NGOs to feel included in the process and able to fully engage? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes?

Stakeholders Asymmetries: Problems: NGOs are not equally accepted as policy actors (and funded as such) throughout Europe NGOs are not equally accepted as policy actors (and funded as such) throughout Europe Stakeholders are different in their structure, capacities and decision making processes Stakeholders are different in their structure, capacities and decision making processes

Engaging the unengaged: Who should be responsible for engaging organisations in consultations (DG Sanco? EPHA? MS? Others) Who should be responsible for engaging organisations in consultations (DG Sanco? EPHA? MS? Others) Are national platforms with regards to EU public health issues and consultation important? (especially in new Member States) Are national platforms with regards to EU public health issues and consultation important? (especially in new Member States)

Key Questions for this session: How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? How does the Commission in general, and Sanco in particular, approach stakeholder engagement? What would be an appropriate approach for NGOs to feel included in the process and able to fully engage? What would be an appropriate approach for NGOs to feel included in the process and able to fully engage? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes? What principles could NGOs set in terms of active inclusion in decision-making processes?

Recommendations 1. Better funding/recognition of NGOs at EU/MS level would facilitate a more active involvement? 2. MS should consult their own stakeholders and citizens in collaboration with DG Sanco 3. Be aware: The business of business is business, not public health. It is shareholders who benefit. This lies behind their engagement.

Should the normal rules of engagement apply to the TI? The EC and 27 MS have ratified the FCTC. They have committed to a whole range of obligations and principles on tobacco control. The EC and 27 MS have ratified the FCTC. They have committed to a whole range of obligations and principles on tobacco control. The tobacco industry is specific and unique. The normal rules of engagement should not apply The tobacco industry is specific and unique. The normal rules of engagement should not apply

Many thanks for your Attention