Committee of Senior Representatives (CSR) Tenth Meeting Oslo, Norway 11 December 2006

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1 Committee of Senior Representatives (CSR) Tenth Meeting Oslo, Norway 11 December 2006 Reference CSR 10/3/1 Title The Nordic Council of Ministers planned activities within the framework of the NDPHS Submitted by Nordic Council of Ministers Summary / Note This document presents activities that the NCM would like to implement within the framework of the NDPHS along with other Partners, as well as spells out the conditions for this to happen. Requested action For information and decision CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 1

2 Nordisk Ministerråd The Nordic Council of Ministers planned activities within the frame of the Northern Dimension Partnership for Public Health and Social Wellbeing Store Strandstræde 18 DK-1255 København K Tel Fax The Nordic Council of Ministers strategies for participation in the partnership The Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) has since the establishment of the NCM offices in the three Baltic Countries in the beginning of the nineties and later in St. Petersburg and just recently in Kaliningrad attach great importance to cooperation around the Baltic Sea. It is a clear goal to the NCM to enhance the co-operation with the neighbouring countries to the Nordic Countries and with other regional organisations in the North. 2. november 2006 NCM is intensively engaged in activities relating to the Northern Dimension and has made the Northern Dimension objectives part of the NCM policy objectives. It is stressed within the overall NCM strategy that policies are to be formulated clearly within the framework of the Northern Dimension. Contacts and joint-contributions with other regional organizations, CBSS, AC, BEAC, EU,WHO-EURO and task forces to maximize the synergy within the EU s Northern Dimension, is an important dimension of the NCM policy in the spirit of building partnership, exchange information and improve coordination between relevant participants, as well as avoiding duplication. NCM was one of the international organisations signing the Northern Dimension Partnership on Public Health and Social Wellbeing Declaration in Oslo in October NCM has since worked as a proactive and visible stakeholder with a wish to contribute to the development of a genuine partnership between the countries, task forces and organisations involved. The Nordic Ministers on Social Affairs and Public Health have in 2006 decided a working programme where the development of co-operation with the countries in the Baltic Sea region will continue to be a central objective. In this connection joint activities related to social, health and gender issues within the EU Northern Dimension partnership in Public Health and Social Wellbeing have been stipulated. These possible future joint activities have been named partnerships within the ND Partnership on Public Health and Social Wellbeing. Furthermore the Nordic Ministers on Social Affairs, Justice and Gender Equality has emphasised that anti-trafficking activities are very important issues on the NCM agenda, including the framework of Northern Baltic cooperation. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 2

3 At the Partnership Annual Conference (PAC) in Stockholm, October 18, 2005 NCM presented initiatives for joint activities within the framework of Northern Dimension Partnership. Following up at these initiatives taken in Stockholm the NCM proposed to the Expert Group on Social Inclusion, Healthy Lifestyles and Workability (SIHLWA) at it s meeting in May this year, that SIHLWA should include initiatives on children and youth at risk focusing on assistance to improve their health and social wellbeing - as a pipe-line project for the partnership. This initiative is now in principle adopted as a pipeline project of the Expert Group SIHLWA and has been further elaborated on at the Expert Group meeting in Vilnius November 30, The project still needs further development. The joint project is open for participation from all partners within the partnership. At the SIHLWA meeting in May this year initiatives on anti-trafficking activities were also discussed, along the lines with the NCM initiatives taken at the Stockholm Conference. The proposal was received very positively and it was agreed to continue the discussion on how to develop the idea further. At the Committee of Senior Representatives (CSR) meeting on October in Paris 2006, the NCM presented concrete proposals as a follow up on the discussion of the proposal on children and risk as well a the proposal on anti-trafficking activities in line with the suggestions made at the Stockholm Conference and the discussions at the SIHLWA Expert Group Meeting in May. NCM invited all partners who were interested in moving these two joint projects forward to participate in the further development of these projects. Project proposals for joint activities The two following projects are based on the initiatives presented in October 2005 at the Partnership Annual Conference (PAC) in Stockholm. 1. Promotion of Healthy and Socially Rewarding Lifestyles through prevention and social assistance targeting children at risk This is a pilot project to be implemented in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. St. Petersburg City Council has expressed its interest in the project and is prepared to sign an agreement on an Action Plan. Kaliningrad will be further approached. The project will focus on the development of best practice models based on experiences and lessons learned from stakeholders involved. The overall aim is to strengthen preventive and coordinated measures targeting children and youth at risk and their families. Another aim is to facilitate the development of decentralized social services at district level close to the citizen. Immediate objectives of the project are: Strengthen the capacity of the oblast/city administration to plan, organise and implement preventive and social assistance services. Strengthen cooperation between governmental agencies and NGO s Capacity building of authorities and professional front level staff. Core components of the project are: Counselling and establishment of local crisis centres for women and their children Initiating activities to improve the situation for children with disabilities and their families. See Annex I for more details. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 3

4 2. Prevention of and assistance to victims of trafficking in human beings The overarching aim of this project is to focus on the social dimension of trafficking in human beings. The aim is to offer by Nordic, and other countries, institutional and expert models as well as best practises knowledge on how to build networks between authorities, experts and NGOs. This main aim of the activities is capacity building and exchange of knowledge. The Nordic countries have built models on how to make the fight against trafficking in human beings more effective by coordinating between different authorities working with these problems. The Nordic cooperation models can be cooperation models for similar cooperation with other countries and on how information can be spread between the actors involved. See Annex II for more details. Other project proposals for joint activities within the frame of the Northern Dimension Partnership on Public Health and Social Wellbeing Preventing trafficking of teenage girls - a partnership pilot project As a result of a Roundtable Conference on the Social Aspects of Trafficking in Copenhagen 31 October 2006, the participating countries agreed to develop a project with activities targeted at preventing trafficking/prostitution among young teenage girls in their countries of origin. The conference was held by the Danish minister of Social Affairs, Eva Kjer Hansen and the NCM. The ministers of Social Affairs from the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as ministers from Germany, Poland and Russia discussed the social aspect of trafficking in human beings participated. This project is a partnership pilot project between the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea Countries (participants in the roundtable conference) aimed at building capacity and knowledge among targeted professionals in the participating countries. Activities could possibly be targeted at neighbouring countries to the countries of origin. The project consists of 2 different initiatives: 1. Training of professionals in the participating countries of origin (pilot projects), including development of a training curriculum 2. Exchange programme(s) for professionals that builds on dialogue See Annex III for further details. Social Inclusion, Healthy Lifestyles and Workability: Alcohol and drug prevention among youth Goal of the project: To improve measures on how to provide more assistance to young people/children at risk of social and health consequences including use of alcohol and drugs. A gender perspective will be included in all stages of the project. To reduce alcohol and substance use in general and hazardous use in particular, and alcohol s destructive impact on young people s future. To change misconception of society at large underestimating the negative impact of alcohol and drugs to health and wellbeing of individuals and to public health in general. To influence risk-behaviour of young people towards responsible, sustainable relationship with alcohol, and towards abstinence vis-à-vis drugs. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 4

5 This project is being implemented by the Expert Group SIHLWA. The project will be cofunded by Finland, Sweden and Lithuania. The project document will be further elaborated in the SILHWA Expert Group. Partnership and financing The NCM initiatives to partnerships in The Northern Dimension Partnership are proposals for joint activities within the field of social wellbeing, children at risk and trafficking. Other partners joining are invited to elaborate on the content of the proposals. NCM also finds it of utmost importance that EU will be involved in the activities. NCM has decided to allocate up to DKK to these activities within the Partnership on Public Health and Social Wellbeing under the condition that other partners are willing to contribute also financially. In particular it is necessary that EU funding will be on place in order to establish a real partnership. Some further remarks on anti-trafficking activities Since 2001 NCM has been actively engaged in activities in combating trafficking in Human Beings, i.e. the joint Nordic Baltic Information Campaign in In June 2006 the Ministers of Social Affairs additionally stressed the importance of focusing on the social dimension of the problems related to trafficking in human beings. As a follow up on this political statement the Danish minister of Social Affairs, Eva Kjer Hansen, met in October 31, 2006 with the ministers of Social Affairs from the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as ministers from Germany, Poland and Russia to discuss the social aspect of trafficking in human beings. The ministers stated that they wish to establish concrete co-operation programs with focus on preventive social and health aspects, as well as coordination of the social work for victims in the countries of destination and origin. Trafficking in Human Beings was further discussed at the Nordic Council Session in Copenhagen October 31 - November 2. The Nordic Council of Ministers reported on the discussion from the ministerial meetings of the Ministers on Social Affairs and Public Health and Gender Equality in The dialogue between Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers on trafficking in human beings will continue during As a follow up of the Informal Coordinating Meeting on Trafficking in Human Beings within the Northern Dimension Partnership held the 16 th of June 2005, and in cooperation between the NCM and the present Norwegian Chairmanship of the NCM an Informal Coordinating Meeting will be held on January 31 st. The aim of this meeting will be exchange of information and up-date an overview of various task forces, work groups and networks of international nature that operate the Northern Dimension in order to avoid duplication and facilitate a more comprehensive coordination. Since there at present time no natural body was within the Northern Dimension Partnership where collaboration on trafficking in human beings can take place, NCM has at the CSR meeting in Paris suggested to establish a group as a platform for future collaboration on trafficking in human beings. In November 7-8 th the NCM participated at the Council of Baltic Sea State Meeting in Kalmar Sweden to further cooperation with the CBSS. At the Kalmar meeting the CBSS established an Expert Group on trafficking in human beings. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 5

6 This proposal is based on the point of view, that the Northern Dimension Partnership is a natural body, in close cooperation with CBSS expert group on trafficking in human beings, to enhance cooperation on anti-trafficking activities with a special attention on social and health implication on trafficking in human beings. But above all it is of importance to the NCM that joint efficient, constructive proposals can be developed and launched with all relevant partners in the Baltic Sea region, including government agencies, international organisation various task forces, work groups and networks of international nature that operate within social and health related fields. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 6

7 NORTHERN DIMENSION PARTNERSHIP MEETING OSLO DECEMBER. Nordisk Ministerråd ANNEX I Store Strandstræde 18 DK-1255 København K Tel Fax Til Kopi Fra 8. December 2006 Emne Northern Dimension Partnership on Public Health and Social Wellbeing Invitation for joint project on the project Promotion of Healthy and Socially Rewarding Lifestyles through prevention and social assistance targeting youth and children at risk Partnership and financing This project will be implemented within the frame of the Northern Dimension Partnership as a pilot model project implemented in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. NCM will finance the project with up to 2 mio. DKK under the condition that others are willing to contribute also financially. In particular it is necessary that EU funding will be on place in order to establish a real partnership. NCM invites all partners to join and develop the project. The purpose of the project is: 1. Developing of an early intervention model targeting children in especially difficult circumstances (CEDC) addressing needs related to their health and social wellbeing. 2. Developing best practice models based on knowledge and practical experiences from participating countries and other relevant sources though i.e. regional conferences and networking among participating government agencies, international bodies and NGOs. 3. Implement a pilot project in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad through which the early intervention models are being developed and tested at a local level in communities. This model will be developed ready for replication in the participating countries including training materials. 4. Raising awareness of specific needs of the CEDC group among government departments, including social- and heath personnel - and NGOs. The proposed project encompasses an integrated approach, including specific preventive measures that will protect children and youth at risk and that will support their health and social development. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 7

8 Health is defined as a complete physical, mental and social wellbeing of children and youth. The term Children and youth is covering the age span of 0 to 20 years of age. Target areas are: Children in especially difficult circumstances. These include among others: children and young people from abusive families, families with drinking and alcohol problems, impoverished families and single parents, children who are neglected by their families, children who are not completely out of parental or state custody but spend most of their time on the streets, families, handicapped children, working children school drop-outs The project will in particular focus on health, physical and social development related to the group of CEDC. They are in general facing a range of problems i.e. psychological problems, depression and suicidal feelings. There may be use of cigarette, alcohol, glue and other substances. In some instances substance use is an entry point to sexual exploitation and prostitution and consequently they are facing risk for sexually transmitted diseases, etc. The CEDC are vulnerable and do not know how to protect themselves. This project will focus on methodologies on empowerment of the CEDC in order to enable them to reduce risk taken behaviour such as use of substance abuse, malnutrition, sexually transmitted diseases The goal of the project will be actualized though the three core strategies, namely: 1. Strengthening capacity of government agencies to plan, organise and implement preventive and social assistance services. 2. Enhance coordinating mechanism to foster cooperation between governmental and non-governmental institutions across sectors including social, gender, health, and education and law-enforcement issues. 3. Capacity building of government agencies and officials dealing with the CEDC area - a cross sectors, to carry out preventive measures The primary target groups for the project are: Government departments and officials a cross sectors including health; education; social service and police - and NGOs Activities will be focused on inputs related to: 1. Establishment of counselling centres at local level in the districts where the target group lives in order to provide easy access to family and youth friendly social services and counselling, including a 24h telephone hot line for children. 2. Counselling and establishment of crisis centres for women and their children 3. Initiating activities to improve the situation for children with disabilities and their families. Dissemination of information, awareness raising and collaboration This project will develop collaborative linkage and networking among participating government agencies, international organisations and NGOs through conferences on best practices and preliminary findings of the project for the participating countries. Regional conferences can be held in selected countries. A final conference in which the result of the project will be presented. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 8

9 Some further remarks on the site for the pilot project. Social problems among vulnerable groups such as children and youth at risk are increasing in Russia; consequently the number of children placed at institutions is increasing too, including disabled children. Additionally the health situation (mentally and physical) of young people is critical. A major challenge is therefore to be able to reach the group at risk through youth and family friendly services. First phase of the project will geographically focus on St. Petersburg City Administration, which is in the process of the development of decentralized social services with special attention on social vulnerable groups and their needs. This also involves coordination between institutions and authorities at district level and close collaboration with nongovernmental organisations providing social services. Related activities The project will be closely related to the Nordic Council of Ministers Co-operation Program for Children and Youth with Disabilities in Northwest Russia and the Baltic Countries from April This programme is a 3-year programme, , with the purpose to initiate activities to improve the situation for children with disabilities and their families. Focus will be on: i) Developing an offer on local level, which will make it possible for children with disabilities to remain living at home with their parents ii) Improving the quality of services in the present institutions iii) Decreasing the number of large institutions. Nordic Co-operation on Disability NSH is the secretariat for the co-operation program. NSH is also representing the Nordic Council of Ministers in the European Council Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Community Living (Deinstitutionalisation) of Children with Disabilities. Projects within the co-operation programme mentioned above will be co-ordinated with present activities in order to identify possible areas of cooperation. This will improve the capacity of presenting qualified service for disabled persons in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 9

10 NDPHS MEETING Nordic Council of Ministers To NDPHS Committee of Senior Representatives (CSR) OSLO December Copy From Store Strandstræde 18 DK-1255 Copenhagen K Tel Fax Subject Trafficking in Human Beings ANNEX II ANNEX II Invitation for a joint project on combating trafficking in human beings Partnership and financing This project will be implemented within the frame of the Northern Dimension Partnership as a pilot model project implemented in St.Petersburg and Kaliningrad. 25 October 2006 NCM will finance the project with up to 1 mio. DKK under the condition that others are willing to contribute also financially. In particular it is necessary that EU funding will be on place in order to establish a real partnership. NCM invites all partners to join and develop the project. Project frame The aim of the Nordic Council of Ministers initiative presented at the Partnership Annual Conference (PAC) in Stockholm, is to focus on the social dimension of trafficking in human beings. The aim is to offer by Nordic, and other countries, institutional and expert models as well as best practises knowledge on how to build networks between authorities, experts and NGOs. This main aim of the activities is capacity building and exchange of knowledge. The Nordic countries have built up models how to coordinate the fight against trafficking in human beings by coordinating the work between different authorities working with these problems. The Nordic cooperation models can be possible tools for cooperation and how information can be spread between the actors involved. The focus of these activities shall be representatives of social and health sphere, hospitals, schools, police, prosecutors, NGOs etc. All countries, task forces and international organisations in the EU Northern Dimension Region are invited to cooperate to make the fight against trafficking in human beings more effective in the region. In this way the existing knowledge on working methods and collecting of facts is spread to all involved actors. The result of this coordination shall be a sustainable network between the authorities, experts and NGOs in the ND Partnership on Public Health and Social Wellbeing. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 10

11 NORTHERN DIMENSION PARTNERSHIP ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELLBEING ANNEX III Nordiska ministerrådet Store Strandstræde 18 DK-1255 Köpenhamn K Tel Fax Development project (Draft): Preventing trafficking of teenage girls ANNEX III 13. november /06 1. Introduction As a result of the Roundtable Conference on the Social Aspects of Trafficking in Copenhagen 31 October 2006, the participating countries agreed to develop a project with activities targeted at preventing trafficking/prostitution among young teenage girls in their countries of origin. Trafficking is a cross-border problem that must be combated and not least prevented through cooperation between the countries affected. This is not just a matter of police cooperation to bring down the kingpins. Cooperation must also focus on preventing disadvantaged and vulnerable groups from being trafficked into prostitution. This project is a partnership pilot project between the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea Countries (participants in the roundtable conference) aimed at building capacity and knowledge among targeted professionals in the participating countries. Activities could possibly be targeted at neighbouring countries to the countries of origin. The project consists of 2 different initiatives: 3. Training of professionals in the participating countries of origin (pilot projects), including development of a training curriculum 4. Exchange programme(s) for professionals that builds on dialogue 2. Development objective for the partnership-based project To prevent socially disadvantaged young teenage girls from ending up in vulnerable situations and risking being trafficked into prostitution both domestically and cross-border. The girls can for instance be characterized by the following: have already sold sexual services to people of the same age or adults are closely related to male or female prostitutes risk being involved in prostitution environments or trafficking networks (for example by receiving drugs in payment for sexual services to pushers) may be socially disadvantaged in other ways CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 11

12 3. Short term objective 1. To build capacity among professionals in social institutions that host socially disadvantaged young teenage girls (and other relevant professionals). 2. Exchange knowledge between countries of origin and countries of destination. 4. Target group for the activities The primary target group for the activities consists of employees engaged in work with socially disadvantaged young girls below 18 in countries of origin. The employees factual knowledge of prostitution and their competences and options for early intervention are key aspects in prevention of young people s prostitution and/or trafficking. The target groups could for instance be staff and management at: social institutions young offenders' institutions shelters, residential institutions for young people (children s homes or youth boarding homes) social services to young people organised by major private organisations (NGOs) teachers involved in educating staff for social institutions Civil servants in the social and health sector The secondary target group is professionals from countries of origin, either civil servants or professional staff at social institutions. It is important to note that the young girls in especially difficult circumstances themselves as mentioned under 2 are the main target group of the overall project. 5. Output 1. Group of trainers identified before March One institution in each country of origin identified before March Training planned before March professionals trained before June Exchange programme planned by steering committee 6. 1 team of professionals from countries of origin participate in exchange visits to the Nordic countries before June CD-rom containing learning materials developed and distributed before December Final report (evaluation) written before December 2007, including recommendations for future activities in this field 9. Conference with presentation of results held by the project in close collaboration with NCM before February Scope of activities Training of professionals The staff training programme consists of training of professionals in one selected institution in each country of origin or possibly in a neighbouring country. Professionals from that institution as well as other professionals and civil servants in the vicinity of the institution will be invited to participate. It could be organised as, for instance, two modules of three days duration. In the time between the modules, the participants will have time for reflection, and political work may also be performed to form a base for subsequently making the activities permanent. Young people s prostitution and/or trafficking could be prevented through, for instance, the employees socially influencing disadvantaged young people endangered of prostitution and by using methodologies to fostering skills that will empower young people in especially difficult circumstances to reduce risk taken behaviour. Other political and social players working with children and young people should also be conscious of the methodology and offers that can be invoked in the work with these endangered young people. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 12

13 In addition, local players in the areas of children and young people could also benefit from a short introduction to the area, since they establish the initial contact to the vulnerable young people but are unable to perform the educative activities (police, authority staff) Exchange of experiences among professionals a cross countries. The programme can consist of for instance 15 professionals from the participating countries of origin that means 3-4 representatives from each country appointed by the countries. These should include at least two from the professional practical level and one person at administration level. A group of persons from different countries will allow for in-depth discussions on needs and gaps in services addressing the target group in this field, including sharing of experiences, etc. It will further more enhance the knowledge and understanding on the situation in countries of origin and destination. The length of the stay will be approximately 1 week. During the stay there will be a possibility for both formal training and informal meetings with peers. In close connection, but separated from this project, there will be a possibility on a individual basis to apply the Nordic Council of Ministers for funds to be involved in an exchange programme as a on the job training module. That means that social service personnel from the countries of origin will have the possibility to further enhance their capacity and to contribute exchange of knowledge and best practice to institutions in the Nordic countries. The program is administrated in the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) Country offices in the Baltic Countries and as regard Russia. The program will be handled by the NCM Secretariat in Copenhagen Monitoring and Evaluation Crucial to the success of this project is the monitoring and evaluation of all components during project implementation. Monitoring and evaluation measures will be developed. That means in particularly the development of indicators and means of verification General remarks A major focus of this pilot project will be to gather information and lessons learned from all the countries involved in order to develop best-practice training models as a tool for further nation wide implementation. The inter-country aspect of the project will allow for sharing of best practice and experiences among countries. Crucial to the success of this project is the monitoring and evaluation of the project components that will also ensure solid recommendations concerning future activities to further enhance preventive initiatives focusing at disadvantaged young people at risk at becoming a victim of human trafficking. 7. Time Frame The project will be elaborated through a consultant in a dialogue with the participating countries (steering committee) and NCM. A final project document will be finalized late 2006 and early The project frame will have to be approved at the NCM project group meeting on December 13. A project coordinator to carry out and implement the project will be identified. The project has a time frame of one year in total: Phase 1: Preparation: 1 st quarter of 2007 Identification of focal-pint institutions, steering-committee and development of training materials and planning of training (output 1-3) CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 13

14 Phase 2: Training of professionals and planning of exchange of experiences programme : 2 nd quarter of 2007 (output 4-5) Phase 3: Exchange of experiences programme via study visits : 3 rd quarter of 2007 (output 6) Phase 4: Production of CD rom with leaning materials, final report writing : 4 th quarter of 2007 (output 7-9) 8. Coordination The project will be coordinated by a steering committee consisting of civil servants from selected participating countries. The coordination and decision making will primarily be done via communication, a start-up and a follow-up meeting. To make sure the project does not overlap with other initiatives, communication and coordination with initiatives under the CBSS will be necessary. 9. Follow-up and ensuring sustainability The partnership programme will create bilateral and multilateral partnerships among authorities and professionals that can be continued after the end of the project. The group of trainers will, during the project period, be available for questions via an internet forum. Selected institution will receive the training. A CD-rom that contains inter-active learning will be produced in order to spread the training to more professionals. 10. Budget The total budget for the training of professionals in countries of origin is up to 1 mio. Danish kroner. The budget will cover travel and salary for the trainers, the production of training material as well as other expenses related to the actual training (food, accommodation etc). Countries of origin are expected to contribute with the time of the professionals that are to be trained as an in-kind contribution, etc. The exchange programme on individual basis for professionals will be covered by a separate pool under NCM. The cost for the steering committee of focal points (planning time as well as travel for meetings) will be covered by the participating states. The budget will be elaborated on the basis of the final project document. CSR_10-3-1,_NCM--planned_activities_within_NDPHS.doc 14