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Minsk, October 28th, 2009
Dear representatives
of the European Commission
and delegates of
the First Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum!
We, representatives
of Civil Society organizations in Belarus, appreciate highly the initiatives
of the European Commission aimed at founding the Eastern Partnership
Civil Society Forum, as well as the efforts of the organizers launching
the work of the Forum. We consider this Forum as a mechanism of a legitimate
inclusion of Civil Society into relations between partner countries
(Belarus in particular) and the EU, which are under development within
the scope of the Eastern Partnership initiative. At the stage of preparation
of the Forum, we would like to contribute to the organization of its
efficient work.
According to our understanding
of the role and mission of the Civil Society Forum, we consider that
the main objective of the first Forum, which will take place on November
16-17th, 2009 in Brussels, is to create
a procedure and organizational basis
to include Civil Society into an interaction of
the EU and partner countries.
We propose to the participants
and organizers of the Forum to start
a preliminary discussion of the Forum agenda, as well as the question
of frames and responsibilities of the Civil Society Forum at large,
forming its working bodies, working mechanisms, budget etc. It will
help all of us to come to the Forum more prepared and save time for
solving many questions during the Forum, where we have only one day
and a half for everything.
On behalf of the group
of delegates of the Forum, as well as other Civil Society representatives
from Belarus, we propose to the Forum organizers and participants from
all partner countries of the Eastern Partnership and the EU representatives
our ideas concerning the agenda and working program of the Forum. We
are also ready to present for a discussion our proposals about the Forum
regulations in the nearest future and hope to get similar proposals
from other Forum delegates from the EU and partner countries.
We consider it fundamental to include
into the agenda of the Forum the following questions:
- Decision about the status
and format of work of the Civil Society Forum: principles of selecting
delegates to future Forums, structure and work frames of continuing
bodies, mechanisms of interaction and influence of the Civil Society
Forum to intergovernmental (bilateral and multilateral) structures of
the Eastern Partnership – thematic platforms etc.
- Forming continuing bodies
and structures of the Civil Society Forum.
- Development of proposals
for agendas of EP thematic platforms ob behalf of the Civil Society
Forum.
In our opinion, these
questions are the most important for self-organization of Civil Society
and further efficient work of the Forum. Discussions within the scope
of 4 thematic working groups will be more productive and useful if they
are accompanied by a solving procedure and organization questions which
guarantee sustainability and independence of the Civil Society Forum
as a vital partner in the Eastern Partnership Initiative.
We also attach to this
letter our proposals to the Forum program for their discussion and coordination with Civil Society
Forum organizers and participants.
With best regards and
hope for productive cooperation,
The
Civil Society Forum delegates:
Ulad Vialichka,
International Consortium EUROBELARUS
Tatiana Poshevalova,
Centre of Social Innovations
Viktar Karnienka,
Movement “For Freedom”
Svetlana Karaleva,
National Council of Youth and Children Organizations RADA
Zhana Litvina, Belarusian
Association of Journalists
Siarhei Matskevich,
NGO Assembly of Belarus
Ales’ Mikhalevich,
Belarusian Free Trade-Union
Irina Sukhiy,
NGO Ecohome
Dmitry Karpievich,
Education Center POST
Siarhei Drazdouski,
National Association of Wheelchair Users
Miraslau Kobasa,
L.Sapieha Foundation
Tatsiana Hatsura,
Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Yaraslau Bekish,
the Green Net
Our contact address:
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