Social Platform Networking Visit and Conference

Social Platform Networking Visit and conference

“Impact of the crisis on people and social civil society organizations in Latvia and CEE countries: challenges and opportunities”

Riga (Latvia), November 25-26, 2010

On November 25-26 Social Platform organised its Networking Visit in Riga, Latvia.
The participants included 60 representatives of NGOs from Latvia, 10 Social Platform members of members from CEE countries, and 10 European Networks, members of Social Platform.

·  Agenda in English

Presentations from the conference:

·  EU programmes to tackle the crisis (Valentina Caimi, Social Platform)

·  Mechanisms and role of CSOs in shaping national social policies (Guna Japina, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia)

·  Effects of the economic crisis on human rights: situation in Latvia and solutions (Līga Biksiniece-Martinova, Ombudsman's Office)

·  Successful cooperation with NGOs (Vita Timermane-Moora, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia)

Recommendations from the Workshops:

·  Workshop A: "Effects of the crisis in Latvia and CEE Countries on fundamental rights"

1.  Use a human rights approach to economic problems: the State shall protect social and economic rights;

2.  Build partnerships between the State and NGOs for mutual benefits;

3.  Consult people before adopting new legislation and adapt legislation through impact assessments;

4.  Include representatives from vulnerable groups in decision making;

5.  Use statistical data and researches for political decisions.

·  Workshop B: "Effects of the crisis in Latvia and CEE Countries on social service provision"

1.  Build partnership between public institutions, national and local stakeholders, and NGOs, in the provision of services, and regularly reassess their efficiency;

2.  Match conditions of provision of social services between State and NGOs;

3.  Diversify sources of social services: social economy, cooperatives, volunteering;

4.  Diversify services to target specific groups, and offer trainings;

5.  Promote actions on the basis of best practices in managing the crisis, instead of focusing on the negative effect of it.

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