Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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NGOs and the EU
The European Union has a supranational governance structure, which means it is able to make decisions without the unanimous agreement of national governments. To address the criticism concerning its democratic deficit, the different EU institutions have included NGOs in the policy making process. With their expertise and representative member base, NGOs can provide valuable input and help legitimize the decision-making process within the EU. NGOs have played an important role in developing European policy. Since the early 1990’s, they have built coalitions with national and regional governments, industry, other interest groups and members of the European parliament as well as the European Commission. Lobbying generally favors big NGOs with enough resources to provide robust facts and scientifically based evidence in their advocacy work. The EU consults with NGOs in different ways, for instance through green papers (discussion papers), white papers (official proposals), communications, advisory committees and ad hoc consultations. The EU commission has allocated more than 1 billion Euros annually in support of NGO projects and there are over 15 000 lobbyists and 2 600 special interest groups in Brussels.
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NGOs and International/Regional Institutions
Southern NGOs Want Greater Say in Agreements with EU (April 23, 2006)
NGOs from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries expressed concerns about the ongoing free trade talks between their governments and the EU. At an April 2006 conference in Brussels, groups urged the EU to regularly provide information and consult with NGOs on development and poverty eradication. The statements reflect concern that the negotiations will further the EU’s access to ACP markets, without progress in promoting sustainable development. (Inter Press Service)EU: Corporate Lobbying Grows (December 22, 2004)
Campaigners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) urge the European Commission to “curb the excessive influence" of murky and influential corporate lobbying in Brussels. The NGO coalition calls for advocacy legislation based on transparency and accountability, under which lobby groups, corporations and public relations firms would have to report openly about their agenda and financing. (Inter Press Service)Commission Keen to Draw More on Organized Civil Society (December 11, 2002)
The European Commission considers adopting standards for outside consultation, which would include input from organized civil society. Religious communities and NGOs have proposed specific frameworks for dialogue with the Commission, but “the Commission believes these proposals go beyond general principles and minimum applicable standards on consultation.” (European Union Online)European Civil Society Coming of Age (May 2002)
This paper discusses the evolving definition of civil society, ways for NGOs to participate democratically in policy-making, and the importance of NGO transparency and accountability. It also looks at NGOs’ attempts to create a system of formal representation within the European Union and their varying degrees of success. (The Platform of European Social NGOs)A Victory for Civil Society on the EU Definition of Terrorism? (December 2001)
The critics from civil society put pressure on European institutions to re-draft the proposed definition of terrorism, which includes protests and other democratic activities.(Statewatch)Listening To Civil Society: What Relationship Between the European Commission and NGOs? (June 2001)
The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) fears that the European Commission may become overwhelmed by the number of NGOs requesting involvement in discussions at the highest level. Civil society would be damaged if the Commission were to withdraw from some activities or only liase with a few, large NGOs, due to a simple lack of staff.Compromise Payment Marks End Of Commission-NGO Dispute (May 9, 2001)
The European Commission and CLONG (the umbrella group of development NGOs) signed a compromise to settle their four-month dispute over the outcome of an audit process. (Europe Information Service)NGO Liaison Committee Forced to Disband (February 2, 2001)
An audit report of the Liaison Committee of European NGOs to the EU finds no evidence of fraud. However, the policy of EU development officials is "zero tolerance" for alleged financial discrepancies, thus is forcing the Committee to disband (InterPress Service).The Commission and NGOs: Building a Stronger Partnership (April 15, 2000)
This paper highlights and describes the relationship between the European Commission and NGOs, while maintaining that some improvements should be made to render it even stronger. (European Commission)Report on EC-NGO Consultation in Brussels (1999)
MS-Danish Association for International Co-operation's brief notes on meeting held on January 27th 1999. Provides insight into the European Commission's relationship with civil society.European NGO Platform Calls for Stronger Consultative Role (April 3, 1998)
European Parliament reacts to NGO proposals for consultative status and questions the role of NGOs.
