Transcript Slide 1

Channelling voices,
Building solidarity
The Platform of European Social NGOs
(Social Platform)
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is the alliance of representative European federations
and networks of NGOs active in the social sector
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was established in 1995
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is now a network with more than 50 members
MISSION
The Social Platform promotes social justice and
participatory democracy in the European Union.
Together we work to build a united, strong European social
NGO sector, and to create a European Union based upon
our common values
VALUES
The Social Platform and its members are committed to the
advancement of the principles of equality, solidarity,
non discrimination and the promotion and respect of
fundamental rights for all, within Europe and in
particular the European Union.
VISION
The Social Platform bases its common actions upon the following vision:
 The eradication of poverty and the elimination of social exclusion
 The elimination of discrimination in all its forms and the promotion
of equality for all
 Equality between women and men in all areas of life
 The promotion of participatory democracy
 The engagement of social NGOs in an enhanced structured civil
dialogue at EU level
 The involvement of people experiencing or at risk of poverty,
exclusion and discrimination in decision-making processes affecting
them
AIMS
Three main aims of the Social Platform for the next five years:
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Strengthening the Sector
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Reinforcing Participatory Democracy
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support the development of a strong, vibrant social NGO sector
strengthen participatory democracy by supporting a process of
dialogue between NGOs and a more transparent European Union
Shaping Social Europe
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positively influence the development of the EU’s social and economic
model by focusing our policy work upon the relationship between
economic and social policies, and by promoting our common vision for
a social Europe
ACTIVITIES
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Capacity-building
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Civil dialogue
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working together to gain better access to the EU institutions
Campaigning
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helping its members develop and improve their work
developing common positions and lobbying the EU
Communication
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raising awareness of Social NGOs and their work
 Capacity-building
Exchanges of experience between social NGOs: meetings,
website, weekly mailing
Exchange with other stakeholders eg other NGO sectors;
trade unions; academic experts
Training for members eg public speaking skills, information
about the Constitutional Treaty
Networking visits to new Member States and candidate
countries
 Civil dialogue
The Social Platform aims to develop structured civil
dialogue to allow for the consistent consultation of
civil society by European Union Institutions:
Bi-annual meetings with the European Commission
Bi-annual meetings with the European Parliament Committee
on Employment and Social Affairs
Meetings with national employment & social affairs Ministers
Frequent informal meetings with these three bodies as well as
with other EU Institutions (Economic and Social Committee,
Committee of Regions…..)
 Advocacy / Campaigns
The Social Platform seeks to advance the interests of its
members through advocacy of common positions.
Examples of key campaigns:
Lisbon Strategy
EU Social Agenda 2005–2010 and Social Inclusion
Services Directive and Services of General Interest
Future of Anti-discrimination policies
Corporate Social Responsibility
Participatory Democracy and Civil Dialogue
EU Constitutional Treaty
 Communication
Internal communication activities: disseminating
information to Social Platform members - weekly
internal newsletter, emails, meetings
External communication activities: promoting
knowledge of the Social Platform and social NGOs
- ‘Social Voices’ magazine, Social Platform website,
press releases, articles in the European press
GOVERNANCE
The Social Platform is an independent democratic alliance
committed to operating on the principles of:
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Transparency
Representativity
Democracy
Equality
Its structure is designed so that all members are able to
participate fully in running the Social Platform
How the Platform is
run by its members:
SOCIAL PLATFORM MEMBERS
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(2006)
Full members
ATD Fourth World International Movement
Autism Europe
Caritas Europa
Combined European Bureau for Social Development (CEBSD)
Confederation of Family Organisations in the EU (COFACE)
Eurochild
Eurodiaconia
Euronet
European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA)
European Association of Service Providers for Persons with
Disabilities (EASPD)
European Blind Union (EBU)
European Confederation of Workers' Co-operatives, Social
Cooperatives and Participative Enterprises (CECOP)
European Council for Non-Profit Organisations (CEDAG)
European Disability Forum (EDF)
European Federation of National Organisations working with
the Homeless (FEANTSA)
European Federation of Older Persons (EURAG)
European Federation of Unpaid Parents and Carers at Home
(FEFAF)
European Liaison Committee for Social Housing (CECODHAS)
European Network Against Racism (ENAR)
European Network of the Unemployed (ENU)
European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)
European Round Table of Charitable Social Welfare
Associations (ET Welfare)
European Social Action Network (ESAN)
European Women's Lobby (EWL)
European Youth Forum (YFJ)
International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW)
International Save the Children Alliance
Mental Health Europe (MHE)
Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)
Red Cross EU Office
Solidar
The European Association of Societies of Persons
with Intellectual Disability and their Families (Inclusion
Europe)
The European Older People's Platform (AGE)
The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay
Association (ILGA-Europe)
The European Volunteer Centre (CEV)
The International Federation of the Christian Associations of
Italian Workers (FAI)
Workability Europe
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Associate members
Association des Femmes de l'Europe Méridionale (AFEM)
International Planned Parenthood Federation European
Network (IPPF EN)
European Roma Information Office (ERIO)
Youth and European Social Work (YES Forum)
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Observers
EuroHealthNet
International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW Europe)
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)
Pancyprian Welfare Council
PICUM
Plataforma de ONGs de Acción Social
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Slovenian NCVOS
Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
Contact information:
Square de Meeûs 18
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium
T +32.2.511.37.14
F +32.2.511.19.09
[email protected]
www.socialplatform.org