Published by Solidar, October

Transcription

1 Activities 2007

2 Published by Solidar, October

3 contents Foreword 5 Member Organisations 6 Solidar s Structure 8 Partnerships & Alliances 9 Social Policy 10 Migration 12 International Cooperation 13 Education 17 Communications 18 Silver Rose Awards 19 3

4 Solidar is a European network of social and economic justice non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in development and humanitarian aid, social policy, social service provision and lifelong learning. With 42 members who are active in 90 countries worldwide, Solidar works in alliance with trade unions, the labour movement and civil society in Europe and internationally. It carries out projects in cooperation with its member organisations and partners, organises seminars and conferences and works to influence policy at European, regional and international level. The call for a more social Europe is at the core of Solidar s activities. All Solidar s work in the field of social policy is in the framework of SOS Europe (Support our Social Europe) which calls for access to high-quality, accessible, affordable social, care and educational services for all members of society ; a balanced approach to economic, employment and social policy ; decent work for all ; social inclusion and freedom from discrimination ; and the active involvement of civil society in policy making. In cooperation with our partners, Solidar works to influence and inform the EU agendas on social policy issues, especially the current debates on social services and flexicurity. A number of Solidar member organisations work with and for migrants both in Europe and abroad. At European level, Solidar lobbies the EU Institutions for migrants rights and works closely with other NGOs as well as with trade unions, think tanks and international organisations. Key areas of interest are co-development and migrant workers. Concerning education, a new work area since 2006, Solidar is exploring education and life long learning issues with particular emphasis on young people, adults, employment and integration and working closely with member organisations already active in the field. Internationally, Solidar promotes North-South cooperation, works on the issues of international trade, aid, debt, migration and integration and also plays a coordinating role in cooperation in the field regarding humanitarian aid projects in countries including Sri Lanka, India, Iraq, the Balkans and Palestine. A central feature of this work is Solidar s campaign Decent Work for a Decent Life which aims to place Decent Work, a concept including equal access to employment, living wages and social protection, at the core of development, economic, trade, financial and social policies at national, European and international level. Publicly launched at the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya in January 2007, this joint campaign continues to find support at national, European and international level with many activities planned for the coming months. 4

5 Foreword 2007 has been a year of transition for Solidar with the arrival of a new Secretary General in late 2006, a new President in June 2007, and the development of a new strategic plan for the network for These changes have provided an important opportunity to reassess and re-evaluate the organisation, its work and future direction. It s clear that the European and international context in which Solidar now works is very different to 1995 when the network established its office Brussels, and that in order to face today s and tomorrow s challenges we must be able to adapt and evolve as an organisation. These changes can already been seen in the strengthening of our focus in 2007 on communication, both with our member organisations and externally, and on building contacts in Central and Eastern Europe. However, Solidar remains committed to the values and beliefs on which it was founded solidarity, democracy and social justice, human rights, equality, sustainability and empowerment. We work with our traditional partners from the labour movement, trade unions, NGOs and progressive political forces and also in new alliances with those who share our values. As part of civil society, Solidar has a key role to play in promoting these principles and working for change in Europe and worldwide. This work is as necessary today as ever in light of increasing globalisation and new challenges, such as climate change, which have a major societal impact. Our greatest strength is of course our 42 member organisations which through their work at local, regional, national and international level everyday put our values and mission into practice. Thanks to their commitment and energy, Solidar will continue to be a force for change! Josef Weidenholzer Solidar President Conny Reuter Solidar Secretary General 5

6 Member Organisations Solidar has currently 42 member organisations in 20 countries in Europe and beyond. These organisations are active in 90 countries worldwide giving Solidar a truly international presence. Solidar is a European network of social and economic justice non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in development and humanitarian aid, social policy, social service provision, migration and lifelong learning. Solidar Member Organisations 2007 ACPP, Asamblea de Cooperacion por la Paz, Spain ASB, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.v., Germany Solidar continues to grow with the Fagligt Internationalt Center (FIC) from Denmark and Pour la Solidarité from Belgium becoming members in 2006 and this year Spanish organisation, Asemblea de Cooperacion por la Paz, Fédération Nationale Léo Lagrange from France and a Solidar Baltic Platform (made up of 6 organisations in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) joined the network. ASB, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Österreich Bundesverband, Austria AWO, Arbeiterwohlfahrt Bundesverband, Germany Baltic Platform, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia CSV, Community Service Volunteers, UK FCD Solidarité Socialiste, Belgium FOS, Fonds voor Ontwikkelingssalmenwerking, Belgium Fédération Européenne de l Education et la Culture Fédération Nationale Léo Lagrange, France FIC, Fagligt Internationalt Center, Denmark Humanitas, The Netherlands IFWEA, International Federation of Workers Education Association ISCOD, Instituto Sindical de Cooperación al Desarrollo, Spain ISF, Internacional Solidarity Foundation, Finland JPA, Jeunesse au plein air, France La Ligue de l Enseignement, France 6

7 Lega Provinciale Cooperative Bolzano, Italy MPDL, Movimiento por la Paz, el Desarme y la Libertad, Spain NPA, Norwegian People s Aid, Norway Olof Palme International Center, Sweden Progetto Sviluppo, Italy Progetto Sud, Italy SAH, Schweizerisches Arbeiterhilfswerk, Switzerland Solidaridad Internacional, Spain Solidarité Laïque, France TSL, Workers Educational Association, Finland UNALG, Union Nationale des Associations Laïques Gestionnaires, France Affiliated Member Organisations APHEDA, Union Aid Abroad, Australia ASAS, Associacao de Servicio de Apoio Social, Portugal Banana Link, UK Narodna Dopomoha, Ukraine ISS, Germany One World Action, UK OGB - L Solidarité Syndicale, Luxembourg Pour La Solidarité, Belgium IED, Instituto de Estudios para o Desenvolvimento, Portugal COCIS, Italy Unison, UK Volkshilfe Österreich Bundesverband, Austria War on Want, UK 7

8 Solidar s Structure Solidar is governed by an Annual General Assembly comprising all full member organisations who are eligible to vote, and affiliate members who can attend in an advisory capacity. To provide political direction, Solidar has a Board of Directors who are representatives of Solidar full member organisations and appointed by the Annual General Assembly. Solidar Board Chair: Jean-Marc Roirant (La Ligue de l Enseignement, France) Lodewijk de Waal (Humanitas, Netherlands) Erich Fenninger (Volkshilfe, Austria) Rudi Frick (AWO, Germany) José Maria Iztueta (Solidaridad Internacional, Spain) Ruth Daellenbach (Swiss Labour Assistance, Switzerland) Heribert Roehrig (ASB, Germany) Liv Torres (NPA - Norwegian People s Aid, Norway) Solidar has a President and two Vice-Presidents who are elected by the Annual General Assembly for a period of office of two years. In 2007, Josef Weidenholzer (Volkshilfe, Austria) became President of Solidar. Vice-Presidents are Rodney Bickerstaffe (War On Want, UK) and Ángeles Yañez- Barneuvo (Solidaridad Internacional, Spain). Solidar s activities are coordinated by a secretariat based in Brussels lead by the Secretary General Conny Reuter. Solidar Secretariat Natalia Danailov, Administration Manager Andrea Maksimovic, International Cooperation Coordinator (replacing Ian Derry, December 2006) Mathias Maucher, Social Policy Coordinator (replacing Katrin Hugendubel in September 2007) Barbara Caracciolo, Project Officer Development Education Rossella Della Monica, Project Officer Cooperation in the Field Manuela Lusetich, Migration Project Officer (replacing Giulia Laganà in May 2006) Elizabeth Tapper, Communications Officer Helena Real, Policy Officer in Education and New Member States Florentina Constantin, Trainee Social Affairs Nuria Trujillo, Trainee International Cooperation Yann Gelister, Trainee International Cooperation Florian Charron, Administrative Assistant Eddie Prentice, Accountant 8

9 Partnerships & Alliances Solidar works with many partners to organise events, cooperate in the framework of projects or campaigns. In 2007 Solidar has consolidated its alliances with the trade unions and the Global Progressive Forum namely through the Decent Work, Decent Life campaign which is jointly led by Solidar, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Social Alert International and the Global Progressive Forum. A Decent Work programme of events was organised at the World Social Forum in Nairobi in January 2007 by the alliance. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is also a key partner especially in the field of migration. Solidar also enjoys good relations with the European Institutions namely the European Parliament (EP) and European Commission (EC) and a member of the Directorate-General (DG) for Trade s Civil Society Contact Group. In addition, important strategic cooperation is provided through our partnerships with Brussels based think-tanks: the European Policy Centre (EPC), The Centre, Friends of Europe and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Solidar enjoys traditionally strong relations with the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (PSE) is a major sponsor of the Silver Rose Awards. Solidar actively participates in three major platforms: Social Platform, CONCORD and the European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning (EUCIS-LLL). Through these platforms Solidar participates in the Civil Society Contact Group, the European Economic and Social Committee s (EESC) NGO Liaison Committee. Cooperation with other NGO networks of social service providers has also been strengthened. 9

10 Social Policy Solidar has strengthened its visibility in the area of social policy in 2007, in particular by positioning itself clearly as a network of social services providers. Our work on the future of social services and cooperation with other networks of NGO social service providers is increasing recognised and appreciated by all actors at EU level also saw the second successful Save Our Social (SOS) Europe conference and there is already a commitment to host a third SOS conference in The decision was also taken to develop SOS Europe (to be renamed as Supporting Our Social Europe ) as a framework for all Solidar s work in the area of social policy. Social Services for a Social Europe has been dominated by consultations concerning the EC s Communication Implementing the Community Lisbon programme : Social services of general interest in the European Union. In addition, Solidar responded to a consultation on a questionnaire from the Social Protection committee Social Services of general interest in December 2006, to a consultation concerning a study on the future of social services and actively lobbied regarding a report on Social Services of General Interest, prepared by Joel Hasse Ferreira MEP. This work is based on Solidar s position that legislation is needed to ensure that the specificities of social, educational and health care services and their role in society is respected and fostered. Fair competition rules need to be set in place, allowing NGOs to continue to provide high-quality services for all. A sector specific legal instrument seems to offer the best means of taking into account the particular character and needs of the sector, and of ensuring legal certainty for high-quality social, educational and health care services of general interest which are supplied by a variety of providers. In addition, Solidar published early in 2007 the brochure NGO social service providers facing the challenges of the future (in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German) and co-organised a workshop with European Association of Service Providers of Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) in December SOS Europe, Experiencing Europe Strong, Social, Just Attended by 300 people, the second SOS Europe Conference Experiencing Europe Strong, Social, Just took place in Berlin on 1-2 March Co-organised by Solidar and German member organisations AWO and ASB, the conference featured keynote speakers including Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, German Federal Minister for Development, Anke Fuchs, Chairwoman of the Friedrich Foundation, Michael Sommer, Chairman of the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) and Philip Cordery, PES Secretary General. Solidar s French member organisations are now exploring the possibility of organising a third SOS Europe conference under the French EU Presidency in the second half of

11 Decent Work in Europe! Debates on Flexicurity and the Modernisation of Labour Law The ongoing debates on flexicurity and around the EC s Green Paper on the Modernisation of Labour Law provide examples of how important the concept of decent work is also in Europe at times of labour market change, which finds more and more people in Europe working in precarious conditions, with either part or short term contracts or in the informal economy. Precarious working conditions are accompanied by limited workers rights and lower social protection and security. In addition, groups such as migrants and women continue to be primarily affected by such precarious flexible working arrangements. Gender pay gaps also still exist and contribute to undermining the belief that decent work for all is a reality in the EU. In its response to the EC Green Paper, Solidar argued strongly that labour law should not be modernised in order to address the challenges of growth and competitiveness, but to ensure the effective protection and collective rights of workers. Solidar also worked closely with the EP s Employment and Social Affairs Committee to ensure that the institution s response to the EC Paper was a balanced one which upholds the preservation of core rights while modernising labour law. In addition, Solidar continues to actively participate in the flexicurity debate both in its own right and through the Social Platform. Social Inclusion Solidar continues to be actively involved in policy processes around the EC s Social Inclusion agenda, especially concerning the follow-up of the EC Communication concerning a consultation on action at EU level to promote the active inclusion of the people furthest from the labour market. In addition, Solidar has participated in the preparations for the annual Round Table on Social Inclusion. 11

12 In Solidar has strengthened its work in the area of migration. The issue of migration is now higher on the EU s political agenda than ever before and Solidar has been able to play an active role in contributing to the debate on migration legislation. Migration Take Part Project The activities of the Take Part project, funded by the EC s DG for Justice, Freedom and Security intensified in Aimed at drawing up recommendations and codes of conduct for cooperation between NGO service providers and migration organisations on integration, national dialogue meetings were held in Rome, Paris, Vienna, Madrid and Amsterdam. Building on this work, a set of common EU wide guidelines directed at NGOs, governments and the EU institutions are being finalised. The project will run until the end of 2007, culminating in a two day Market Place event to be held 4-5 December in Brussels. Decent Work for All! Fighting Undocumented Migration and Exploitative Working Conditions Solidar s position paper on the EC s recent Communication on illegal immigration has been well received. Solidar, the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants ( PICUM ) and the ETUC have been cooperating on an ongoing basis concerning lobbying the EC on irregular migration and the recent draft directive on sanctions against employers who hire undocumented migrants. A joint position paper was published during 2007 addressing these legislative developments, which has been endorsed by the European Women s Lobby ( EWL ), Jesuit Refugee Service ( JRS ) and European Network Against Racism (ENAR). Co-development With members working on migration inside the EU and worldwide Solidar is well-placed to become a key player in Brussels on the issue of co-development, the concept that migration can benefit both the countries receiving and sending the migrant, as well as the migrant him or herself. In 2006, Solidar produced a policy position on co-development which was disseminated at the Global Forum on Migration and Development. Funding has now been secured to publish the paper in the coming months. Global Forum on Migration and Development The Global Forum on Migration and Development ( GFMD ), an intergovernmental event attended by over 120 countries, was held in Brussels 9-11 July as a follow-up to the United Nations High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development, which took place in New York in September Solidar took part in the official civil society event on 9 July. In addition, Solidar participated in a parallel event the Global Community Forum on Migration, Development and Human Rights July, which was organised by Migrants Rights International ( MRI ) and PICUM. This event provided an opportunity to explore potential areas and contacts for future collaboration in the field of migration and development in view of the next GFMD which is planned for 2008 in Manila, the Philippines and beyond. Civil Society Dialogue in the area of Migration In December 2006, Solidar organised a highprofile meeting, bringing together about 20 representatives from the main Brussels -based NGO networks and organisations working on migration to discuss how the EC engages in dialogue on migration with civil society. 12

13 International Cooperation DECENT WORK FOR A DECENT LIFE JOBS, JOBS, JOBS GLOBAL NETWORK This cooperation which is led by Solidar, ENAR, Migration Policy Group ( MPG ), European Council on Refugees and Exiles ( ECRE ) and Caritas Europa is ongoing. Solidar s work in the area of international cooperation continues to grow and build on the three substantive projects of the department, namely the Jobs Jobs Jobs project linked to the International Decent Work, Decent Life campaign, cooperation in the field activities and the work of the Global Network. The connections between the various areas of work continue to be strengthened, with more involvement from Solidar s Global Network partners through the Decent Work, Decent Life campaign and greater visibility resulting from those activities at both European and International level. Decent Work for Decent Life campaign The campaign, led by Solidar, the ITUC, the Global Progressive Forum and Social Alert International is making progress in placing decent work at the core of policy and decision making at national, regional and international level and the concept is increasingly accepted by many institutions as a central aim of policy making. One major achievements has been the publication of the EC s Communication on Decent Work in May 2006 and the follow up conference in December As well as speaking at the conference, Solidar played an important role in determining the agenda, and has subsequently been involved in follow-up work with EU officials and MEPs. Other campaign highlights include the activities organised at the World Social Forum in Nairobi in January 2007, where the campaign was formally launched and Solidar also took part in the launch of the Decent Work for the 2010 World Cup campaign, which brings together amongst others Solidar member organisation SAH and Global Network partner Labour Research Service ( LRS ) from South Africa. In addition, shortly before the G8 summit in June 2007 the campaign partners organised a two day international conference Youth Action for Decent Work 1-2 June, where 300 young people came together to discuss strategies for improving the employment prospects and quality of young people globally with participation from national decision-makers, global institutions and progressive social forces. In October 2007, Solidar will organise a seminar Putting the puzzle together: policy coherence for decent work in Lisbon, prior to the International Labour Organization s ( ILO ) Forum on Decent Work for a Fair Globalisation, and call on participants to sign the Decent Work Decent Life Call to Action which sets out key demands addressed to decision-makers. The campaign has also moved to national level, with different Solidar members launching national Decent Work, Decent Life campaigns. 13

14 Jobs Jobs Jobs Project The Jobs Jobs Jobs Project is a three year project funded by the EC which began in March 2006 and will run until November organisations are involved as partners in the project, and in addition several Solidar members and partner organisations either already actively support the project and the Decent Work, Decent Life Campaign or plan to join in the near future. Activities Project activities include the development of eight case studies which explore the link between the creation of decent work and sustainable development. Briefings based on these case studies have been produced ( available electronically on Solidar s website and in hard copies ) and been widely distributed to partners and member organisations as well as during all the activities linked to the project and the campaign. In additon a leaflet Globalising Decent Work Decent Life has also been developed. Events Project events include a seminar in Tallinn, Estonia, jointly organised with Baltic Platform member the Johannes Mikelson Centre, on the relevance of Decent Work for the Baltic States held October 2006 which also served to consolidate Solidar s links with Baltic civil society organisations, trade unions and MEPs; three events on Decent Work in Sweden organised by Solidar member organisation the Olof Palme Center on the issue of migrants rights; and a series of workshops in Italy led by Solidar member organisation Progetto Sviluppo. A roundtable Achieving the MDGs: the role of the Decent Work Agenda organised in July 2007 in Brussels explored how the decent work agenda can contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals ( MDGs ) with participation from civil society organisations and representatives from EU and international institutions. This autumn, a seminar Decent Work is a Global Right: the case of migrant workers will also be organised in Estonia in October 2007 and a photo exhibition on Decent Work will take place in November at the EP in Brussels. In addition, during 2007 member and partner organisations have taken the lead in organising workshops and events. This work will continue in 2008 and is facilitated by a Solidar Members Decent Work Working Group which held its first meeting in June Finally, Solidar has been actively involved in creation of the Brussels-based European Working Group on Social Protection, Decent Work and Development which involves a wide range of Development NGOs and this group will organise a roundtable on 17 October 2007 in the European Parliament. 14

15 Cooperation in the Field Started in 2001, the Global Network ( GN ) works to empower activists in civil society organisations and trade unions to improve their capacity for dialogue with international institutions. It is a worldwide alliance of trade unions, NGOs and social movements. It was established by Solidar and the International Federation of Workers Education Associations ( IFWEA ) in order to unite organisations concerned about the effects of globalisation on people s lives. The GN project has three regional networks: Asia, Africa and Latin America. Overall coordination is provided by Solidar from Brussels. The GN currently operates in 29 countries. For more information see has seen growing cooperation in the field between Solidar member organisations, both in delivering emergency programmes and development projects, but also in developing common advocacy activities. Sri Lanka Began in Sri Lanka in 2005 with a core consortium made up of NPA, ASB and SAH and was supported by many more Solidar members including Progetto Sviluppo, Solidarité Laique, La Ligue de l Enseignement, Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA, Volkshilfe, FCD Solidarité Socialiste, FOS and War on Want, the post-tsunami operation is facing many challenges in terms of security due to the current situation in the country. However, concerning its future development the Solidar Consortium in Sri Lanka has managed to adapt the programme and resources in order to continue its activities in the country. In the last months, further discussions have taken place with different donors and several agreements have been signed. The United Nations Refugee Agency ( UNHCR ) has agreed to support the Quick Impact Projects for 2007 as well as to fund Solidar in a role to coordinate emergency shelter activities. The United Nations Children s Fund ( UNICEF ) has also signed a partnership agreement with Solidar to construct 300 latrines ( in addition to 300 already completed ) and the International Organization for Migration ( IOM ) has signed an agreement with Solidar to support a Hygiene Information Unit which will be co-funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 15

16 Solidar member organisation Progetto Sviluppo has stepped up once again to support the Solidar programme in 2007, including the secondment of an expatriate position to the team, and War on Want will also begin support to the Consortium. In addition, Swiss Solidarity has approved a livelihood project of cash grants and home gardens in Kilinochchi through SAH. India In Nagapattinam, Solidar s post-tsunami programme came to an end in summer Nevertheless, the Solidar India Consortium Nagapattinam, led by Volkshilfe, Progetto Sviluppo, La Ligue de l Enseignement / Solidarité Laïque, and ISCOS, has already started working on a development programme which will build on the work of the previous programme. The Consortium will continue working with the local NGO People s Development Association ( PDA ), as well as with other local organisations, including Solidar Global Network partner Self Employed Women s Association ( SEWA ). This programme will focus mainly on supporting and promoting the development of children and young people ; improving the economic and social prospects of target groups with particular focus on women in fishery, agriculture and microenterprises ; improving levels of educational and vocational training and employment opportunities ; strengthening and consolidating the capacity of local partners ; and promoting the social inclusion of marginalised groups. In November 2006 the Solidar Iraq Platform, which comprises NPA, Olof Palme Center, ISCOS, Progetto Sviluppo, UNISON, MPDL and Solidaridad Internacional Andalucía, organised in cooperation with the EPC, a Policy Dialogue on Development, Democracy and Human Security: the Challenge of Iraq.This policy event served to strengthen the role of Solidar as a development and humanitarian aid network in Iraq on the international stage. In addition, Solidar has been liaising with different NGOs platforms on Iraq, and was invited last April to the UNHCR international conference on addressing the humanitarian needs of refugees and internally displaced person (IDPs) inside Iraq and in neighbouring countries. Palestine Fourteen Solidar members are active in Palestine, either working directly to implement activities or through supporting local partners. Most of these activities are implemented with the same local partners. At the beginning of 2007 Solidar developed a strategy for Palestine which includes potential operational cooperation in the field and primarily a lobbying/political dimension. A resolution on Palestine was approved at Solidar last Annual General Assembly in June 2007, where members re-affirmed the necessity for Solidar to support a political process for resolving the issue, but also to facilitate cooperation in the field. Since then Solidar has been cooperating closely with the European Coordinating Committee of NGOs on the question of Palestine ( ECCP ), and with European, Palestinian and Israeli progressive organisations. To continue to work on this issue, Solidar participates in the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum and was present at the international conference Europe s role in the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict held in Montecatini and Florence in June We plan to take part in a follow up event to be 16

17 Education & Lifelong Learning European Community, 2007 held in Perugia and Assisi in October Additionally, Solidar attended the UN International conference of civil society in support of the Israeli-Palestinian Peace, held in the EP in Brussels August A roundtable will also be organised jointly with member organisation War on Want in December 2007 to raise awareness among european media on the question of private companies involvement in the occupation of Palestinian territories. In 2006 education became the third pillar of Solidar s work alongside Social Policy and International Cooperation. The renewed emphasis on education is thanks to the work of many member organisations in education and recognition that education and lifelong learning are an integral part of the core values of Solidar and various EU policies, most notably the Lisbon Strategy. The following have been identified as priorities where Solidar could get involved in relation to education : youth, adults, employment, lifelong learning and integration. Solidar is currently exploring how the value-added which the network could offer can be most effectively brought to the subject area. In close cooperation with the EUCIS-LLL Platform, Solidar has been actively involved in the discussions on the EC s Action Plan on Adult Learning. An event is planned during the Salon de l Education exhibition to be held in November 2007 in Paris with the aim of raising the profile of the area of education within Solidar. In addition, an event is foreseen around the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in Other topics of interest include : the problems faced by young and older workers across the EU, the questions raised by inter-culturalism in education systems across Europe, as well as comparing the challenges in education and lifelong learning between different EU Member States. 17

18 Communications In 2006 Solidar appointed its first Communications Officer to develop communications activities for the organisation and in particular to elaborate and lead the delivery of a new comprehensive communication strategy, coordinate the redevelopment of the Solidar website and build media relations. A new Solidar website will be launched autumn 2007 which will provide up to date information on all Solidar s activities ( policy work, reports, projects, campaigns ) and will be a crucial tool in enhancing the visibility of Solidar s work and thereby supporting lobbying actions, campaigning, and the building of media relations. With a greater emphasis placed on the policy work of Solidar and the activities of the member organisations, the Weekly Round Up continues to grow in subscribers with over 600 people in Europe and beyond currently receiving the weekly updates. The Silver Rose Awards 2007 are a key part of Solidar s communication activities with main tasks concerning : the development of promotional materials, a new visual identity for the awards, the award trophies, the editing and of two key publications and ensuring media coverage for the event. The website will also provide a window to promote member organisations activities at European level and will be an important part of a developing strategy to improve information flow between the Solidar secretariat and member organisations. The establishment of a Communications Group, bringing together communications officers working in member organisations, to exchange information and improve cooperation is also planned. In addition, links are already being developed with communications specialists working in key partner organisations in order to exchange information and best practices. A new-look newsletter ( Weekly Round Up ) will also be launched which will help Solidar to better communicate to its member organisations, partners and other subscribers. 18

19 Silver Rose Awards Solidar s Silver Rose Awards were launched in 2000 to help raise the profile of individuals and organisations whose outstanding work is fuelled by vision and tireless commitment and whose achievements have contributed greatly to the struggle for a just and civil society. Every year Solidar receives nominations from member organisations or other organisations and individuals who actively support our work. The winners are selected by a jury comprising of MEPs, EU policy-makers and other stakeholders who share a long history of involvement with Solidar s work and identify with its values. The jury is chaired by Harlem Désir MEP, replacing in 2007 long standing jury head Glenys Kinnock MEP. The awards dinner, held each year in the EP in Brussels provides an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate the work of civil society and over 300 people will attend the 2007 ceremony, including Solidar s member organisations, EU decision-makers, government representatives, corporate supporters, civil society partners and the media. Rose Award Winners 2007 European Category: Artists Prize Plataforma de Mujeres Artistas contra la violencia de Género, Spain Social Justice and Education Prize Réseau Education Sans Frontières ( RESF ), France International Category: Struggle for Liberty and Human Dignity Prize Aminattou Haidar, Human rights Activist, Western Sahara Peace & Reconciliation Prize Parents Circle Families Forum (PCFF), Israel/ Palestine Life-time Achievement Award: Heidemarie Wiezcorek-Zeul, German Federal Minister for Cooperation and Development Solidar also organises a full programme of visits in Brussels for each award winner to give them the opportunity to meet key European decisionmakers, journalists and relevant NGOs and further their cause. A new look has been developed for the 2007 event and the awards ceremony has been re-worked to focus closely on the values of Solidar and the work of its member organisations. The ceremony has also been streamlined which will allow the winners and their work to take centre stage. 19

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