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European Dialogue - Pan-european event Print

The "European Dialogue - Long-lasting Networking for European Integration through Encouraging Citizens Participation" transnational project has been implemented successfully, and it has greatly contributed to the development and future co-operation of the two Community Organizing and Development networks in Europe: the CEE CN - Central and Eastern European Citizens Network and the CEBSD - Combined European Bureau for Social Development. 

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[doc] European_Dialog__last_workshop.doc

[doc] European_Dialog_Report.doc

The project that was initiated and implemented by the HACD - Hungarian Association for Community Development, member in both networks, and its partner organizations, the CEE CN and the CEBSD, has reached the range of organizations and people previously planned. Through its 2 national and 3 transnational workshops it has enhanced the interest towards the European integration. The project launched the European Dialogue Booklet, organised an opening ceremony and a press conference with the participation of the representatives of foreign embassies active in Hungary and the media, on the Europe Boat on the River Danube, in Budapest. 

The European Dialog workshop was held on May 8 - 9, 2008 with the participation of representatives from 23 organisations from 17 countries (15 from European member countries, 1 EFTA-country Norway and 1 non-European country, Georgia), coordinators from the two networks and 10 Hungarian community activists. The results of the European Dialogue have been published on HACD's journal, Parola 2008. Vol. 2 and its website www.kka.hu (see European Dialogue), and sent to the participating organisations, asking them to publish and disseminate them in their own countries and among the related international organisations and networks they are active in. 

Both networks are in a process of structural change, which influences strategy, membership, policy issues, as well as the activities. It seems the ED project came in the right time, as this cooperation can be a focus in the development processes in the close future. 

Strongly emphasized issues:

  • There was respect for each other but gaps in knowledge and understanding.
  • Differences in culture, experience and terminology were identified.
  • We need to be in the forefront of actions, but we also have to balance this with long term process.
  • It is important to keep an eye to be both professional and movement oriented.

Some proposals for future co-operation:

1. Match-up the CPW Citizens' Participation Week and EWLD European Week of Local Democracy

  • 2. Possible joint leadership meetings between CEBSD and CEECN.
  • 3. Use, refresh, review the Budapest Declaration lobby.
  • 4. Capture best practice where this has already been done.

5. Surveys analysing the levels of citizen's participation in decision-making processes. 

6. Common training issues, especially within the Training and Learning CD European project.

7. The policy implications of the experience and practice especially the issue of intercultural dialogue, involvement of youth. Embedding the experience practices in the structure, creating culture, not only projects!

8. European Future Forum: it would retain a commitment to European Dialogue and hold a conference between two bodies every 4 years to look at what has happened and what is projected into the future.

The project has enhanced the strengthening of the co-operation networks, their reputation and willingness to co-operate. As a result of the project, several resolutions, co-operation agreements have been established, and joint project planning has been launched among the co-operating partners and the participants.