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NGOs know the ways to strengthen
public participation |
DEF’s General Assembly held in Serbia-Montenegro in
November last year was preceded by a special training session on public
participation and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive
(EU WFD). With EU enlargement looming, it seemed an opportune time to train
NGOs in the roles and responsibilities of Public Participation Contacts.
NGOs will, after all, be expected to act as mediators between governments
and the public regarding the benefits and guidelines of the Directive. Never
before has a water directive offered so much promise. Developed by the European
Union, the Directive provides a new framework for ensuring integarted water
management throughout the EU. What makes the Directive exceptional is its
focus on the public. Underlying Article 14 of the EU WFD is the committment
to interpret to the general public what has always been the esoteric knowledge
of scientists, NGOs and governmental entities. In deliberating over the
practical application of the Directive, drafters acknowledged that any directive
neglecting the public would eventually fail, as implementation would necessitate
public acceptance. It is here that the role of NGOs may be specified. With
their grassroots contacts, NGOs can interpret to both stakeholders (i.e.
farmers, fishermen) and the general public the significance of the Directive
in sustaining their region environmentally and economically, and subsequently,
help put the Directive into practice at the local level. Moreover, NGOs,
in cooperation with the public, can monitor the activities of the public
and private sector to ensure that adherence to the Directive is absolute.
Overall, the training of Public Participation Contacts proved constructive,
with NGOs exchanging successful public participation methods. Subsequent
national trainings for NGOs will follow in Spring 2004, and will require
cooperation with Ministries, ICPDR Delegations, state water authorities
and the Global Water Partnership. Meanwhile, DEF continues its initiatives
to strengthening the capacity of NGOs: trainings for NGO representatives
from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania
will be organized in 2004 in joint effort with WWF Danube Carpathian Program.
The General Assembly itself opened with a discussion on the possible role
of NGOs in the activities of ICPDR. Of particular note was ICPDR Executive
Secretary Philip Weller, who, speaking on behalf of the Commission, pledged
his full commitment to facilitating public participation regarding water
management issues in the Danube Basin.
Much effort was devoted to DEF’s public image, the Danube Day celebrations
and current Danube "hot" issues. Public relations matters were
also deliberated - a fitting follow-up on the focus on public participation
strategies. If DEF really wants to involve the public in EU WFD implementation,
will its present public image do? Or will DEF require an image makeover
to attract the public, to call attention to the Forum, its achievements
and scope? The group discussed various promotion strategies, logo efficacy,
and the role of marketing in a NGO. Regarding Danube hot issues, the Danube-Oder-Elbe
Canal and the Bystroye Estuary were discussed. Particular progress was made
on the Bystroye issue, with the drafting of a NGO petition addressed to
Ukrainian governmental officials. The petition concerns construction plans
for the Danube-Black Sea navigation canal to be built through the Bystroye
Estuary, an internationally recognized nature reserve. DEF member NGOs demanded
the halting of canal construction until a proper environmental impact assessment
had been conducted. When the DEF General Assembly closed, the members departed
inspired by forum solidarity and fully briefed on the issues that make the
network worthwhile.
For more information:
www.de-forum.sk