1. 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

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

3. 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

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

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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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).

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. EPHA members International networks European networks
National organisations

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

18. 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

20. 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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. 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:

25. 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

26. 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.

27. European Public Health Alliance
39-41 Rue d’Arlon
B-1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel:
Fax:

28. Civic Alliance Latvia Gertrudes street 19/21 – 3 Riga
Tel:
Fax:

29. 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