Global Network of NGOs
Ad Hoc Meeting in Geneva 7th June 2007, 6-7pm
Agenda
1. Intro and what this meeting is not
2. Introduction to the Steering Group
a. Representation
b. Endorsement
3. Global Network ToR
4. Activities towards the next Global Platform
Attendance
Action Aid International / Ms. Yasmin McDonnellMr. John Abuya
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) / Mr. Loy Rego
Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN) / Mr. Manu Gupta
Ayuda en Accion / Ms. Maria Jesus Izquierdo
Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Center (BDPC) / Mr. Saidur Rahman
BOND Disaster Risk Reduction Group / Ms. Oenone Chadburn
Care International / Mr. Paul Borsboom
Mr. Didier Young
Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) / Ms. Lorna Victoria
Christian Aid / Ms. Bina Desai
Ms. Sarah Moss
Concern Worldwide / Mr. William Devas
Construction Resource and Development Centre / Ms. Carmen Griffiths
Duryog Nivaran / Ms. Vishaka Hidellage
Mr. Ramitha Wijethunga
Earthquake and Megacities Initiative (EMI) / Ms. Violeta Seva
Estrategia NGO - Peru / Ms. Luz Maria Sanchez Hurtado
Focus Humanitarian Assistance / Mr. Hadi Husani
Groots International / Huairou Commission / Ms. Suranjana Gupta
Ms. Sandy Schılen
Mr. Jan Peterson
InterAction Working Group on DRR / Ms. Rebecca Scheurer
IFRC / Mr. Antony Spalton
International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) / Mr. Philip Emmanuel Pentaflor
International Medical Corps (IMC) / Ms. Nazare Albuquerque
Ms. Mary Pack
Intervida World Alliance / Ms. Cristina Velazquez
Mr. Cédric Metrat-Depardon
Japan Platform (JPF) / Mr. Koji Takamatsu
Mercy Corps / Ms. Susan Romanski
NGO Committee of Mental Health / Ms. Judy Kuriansky
Ms. Inka Weissbecker
Oxfam International / Mr. Jacobo Ocharan
Ms. Marilise Turnbull
Plan International / Mr. Nick Hall
Mr. Sven Coppens
Practical Action (former ITDG) / Mr. Pieter Van Den Ende
ProAct Network / Mr. David Stone
Mr. Pasi Rinne
Provention Consortium / Mr. Bruno Haghebert
RADIX / Mr. Ben Wisner
Risk Red / Ms. Marla Petal
Save the Children / Ms. Venetia Bellers
Tearfund / Mr. Marcus Oxley
Ms. Sarah la Trobe
VOICE Working Group on DRR / Mr. Richard Weaver
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) / Mr. Larry Roeder
World Vision International / Ms. Lemma Tenagne
Minutes
1. Introduction
Introduction by Oenone Chadburn from BOND DRR Group (UK NGO Network) and a summary of what the meeting was trying to achieve as there was only 1 hour for the meeting
· It was not going to reflect on the outcomes of the Global Platform (GP), there were other spaces and forums which would do this.
· It was not going to discuss the outcomes of the previous meeting held on the Tuesday as that had been an attempt to define the outlines of a common NGO position for the Wednesday and Thursday of the GP
· The meeting was to gain an endorsement for the membership of the current core group, plus to brainstorm activities which the core group discuss at a later stage.
2. Steering Group
The attendees were reminded about the initiating Global Network meeting which happened in Geneva last October 2006 (see http://www.unisdr.org/eng/partner-netw/ngos/rd-ngo-eng.htm for full minutes and documents). This meeting resulted in an initial core group being set up and they developed a ToR for the Global Network. The wider attendees were introduced to the core group members who were available (see names and organisations in bold above) and the meeting was informed that Marcus Oxley of Tearfund had volunteered to be Chair of the Global Network for the next 2 years.
Other members of the core group who were not in attendance are as follows.
· Ms. Adelia Branco - IRHA ()
· Ms. Melisa Bodenhamer – World Vision International ()
Note, the chair of Interaction is Susan Romanski. Interaction’s representation on the Core Steering Group is currently in addition to Melisa Bodenhamer representing the Emergency Capacity Building Project. The latter is an interagency project, whose members are part of the newly created Interaction DRR Network Group. Steering group representation to be reviewed to ensure equitable and balanced representation – see below
2a. Representation
It was agreed that the one of the first jobs of the Steering Group was to widen their membership to between 12-15 members which would include an active search for Latin American, African and Caribbean representation. Attendees were asked to nominate other geographic specific networks working on DRR. Initial nominations for the core group to discuss are below.
§ VOICE/EU-CORD offered to be a network member of the Steering Group as broader European representative. Link person Richard Weaver.
§ Ayuda En Accion offered to be a network member of the Steering Group (initially suggested by Action Aid) as Latin American representative. Link person Maria Jesus Izquierdo
§ Oxfam International offered to be another member of the Steering Group but were perfectly happy to bow out if we felt there were too many people. Link person Jacobo Ocharan
§ Susan Romanski was going to chase up an African network she was aware of.
§ Ben Wisner offered to be an ad hoc advisory member of the Steering Group
2b. Endorsement
The wider group were requested to endorse the “core group” as the initial Steering Group to take forward the Global Network activities. This was unanimously accepted. Marcus Oxley was also endorsed as chairman of the Global Network for an initial two year period.
3. Global Network ToR
Version 3 of the ToR was circulated for people’s information. It was agreed that they were wide reaching although it was reminded that these are not intended to be an action plan, but an outline of what could be undertaken by the Steering Group. It was agreed that there had to be a plan of action for the next 2 years in build up to the next Global Platform with the ultimate goal to get more civil society engagement at the Platform with meaningful representation.
Feedback on the ToR was requested from the attendees and they were given a 1 month deadline. One key question: where can a Global Network add value over and above regional and national networks?
Action: Feedback required by 27th July 2007 to
4. Brainstorming on Actions
Immediate follow up post Global Platform
§ Feedback on Chairman’s summary statement for membership who attended Global Platform (i.e. those on list) to be sent soonest to
§ There was a general request that NGOs had the opportunity to feedback on Global Review 2007 written by Andrew Maskey to UNISDR
§ Feedback to Ben Wisner on the value and impact of the Global Platform as a process. This review should help inform the way ahead for next 2 years as well. E-mail address:-
Thematic Sub-Groups/Focal Points
There was a general discussion on priorities for the Global Network and how to incorporate themes within the work of the Network. It was agreed to have focal points who would take forward the co-ordination of cross cutting themes. No more discussions were held about what this would look like but so far volunteers to co-ordinate on these issues are below.
§ Health/Mental Health, Inka Weissbecker
§ Environment Resilience, Larry Roeder
§ Gender,
Other Actions which were suggested for the Steering Group to follow up
§ Develop relationship between regional/national platforms
§ Relationship between DRR and the new Thematic Platform on Climate Change under the Global Platform
§ Update the NGO Position Paper ahead of future key events
§ General communication and information dissemination with wider network (web pages etc)
§ Discussions on what information should be circulated at the global level – would we be adding value or are we replicating what other do
§ Review and debate the concept of a community facility (the suggestion had come from one of the formal workshops but some expressed concern).
§ Discuss research on volume of money NGOs are putting into CB DRR to “shame” governments
§ Relationship of Global Network to UNDP South-South Facility
§ ACDP (Loy Rego) offered to link the network down to some national level networks.
§ Translation of all documents into Spanish and French
§ Create an outline action plan, draft working budget for Global Network and discuss funding from UNISDR and others