Council of Europe: The conference of INGO’s, Strasbourg

The summer session of the Conference of INGOs was held at the Council of Europe of 20 to 22 June 2011. ESAN was represented by René Ledermann, Executive Board member recently accredited. In addition to the elections of Presidents and Vice-Presidents (two Vice-Presidents by Commission), elected for three years, the discussions focused on the assessment of activities of the past years. In view of future prospects, problems were discussed. In particular the reform of the Conference of INGOs desired by the Council wants to reduce the financial resources allocated to the Conference and drastically limit its prerogatives. Before this reform, the Conference felt that the sessions are not sufficient to address the scope of work, looking for forms of work better and more direct with its members, practitioners, and wants to emphasize “the good practices “carried out by each of them. This is an opportunity to develop the specifications of ESAN “The words to action” and more generally, to bring to the attention of the Conference of the actions of its members in all areas: childhood, youth, health, education, culture, human rights, access to rights …. etc.. Each member of ESAN due to its subject, its results, is largely able to meet the expectations of the Conference. Let us not miss the opportunity to be re-known to the Commission.