Regional Meeting of Russian NGOs and the Council of Europe Saint Petersburg, 17 to 18 May 2004

- How to achieve dialogue and partnership between NGOs and public
authorities in Russia?

- How to participate in regional and international co-operation among
NGOs?

CONCLUSIONS

The meeting was organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Saint Petersburg Council for Peace and Conciliation, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Stale Duma and the Saint Petersburg Administration. It was attended by some 50 participants from NGOs from Saint Petersburg, North-West Russia and the Baltic Sea region.

This regional meeting was a follow-up to the meeting of Russian NGOs and the Council of Europe held from 28 to 29 October 2003 in Moscow.

Participants discussed

- the development of co-operation of NGOs and the Council of Europe after the
first meeting of Russian NGOs with the Council of Europe in Moscow in
October 2003;

- the input of NGOs in the development of society: Interaction with legislative
and executive authorities: and

- regional and international experience of co-operation between NGOs.

They also looked at the application of Council of Europe standards on the status of NGOs in Russia and at possibilities for enhancing the participation of Russian NGOs in Council of Europe activities.

The meeting provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange of information and experience on relations between public authorities and NGOs in Russia and Europe and the current problems. Russian participants provided information on the existing practice of NGO participation in contemporary social and political activities in Russia and their interaction with public authorities at local, regional and national levels, with legislative, executive and judicial authorities.

Participants agreed that the development of partnerships and solidarity among NGOs would help strengthen the position of civil society in the dialogue with the public authorities. To this end, Russian NGOs will intensify participation in the associative life at national and international levels and strengthen co-operation among themselves at sectorial levels and enhance co-operation with European NGOs.

Participants shared information and welcomed the already existing numerous transborder activities initiated by NGOs in the North-West of Russia and the neighbouring countries Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This co-operation should be further strengthened with the active support of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and through specific EU funding (Interreg) for regional development and transborder co-operation.

Participants expressed satisfaction with the work of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum. They underlined its importance for the participation of Russian NGOs in the European integration process after EU enlargement.

Participants welcomed the Council of Europe's commitment to strengthening a genuine civil society in its member States and the possibilities for Russian NGOs to participate in these programmes, in particular in the Democratic Leadership Programme, the Civil Society Initiatives and the Confidence-building Measures Programme.

Participants noted with interest with interest the creation of a participatory status for international NGOs and of a partnership status between the Council of Europe and national NGOs. They explored possibilities for enhancing the participation of Russian-based NGOs in these institutionalised relations with the Council of Europe. Particular attention should be given to possible relations between Russian NGOs and the Council of Europe's thematic NGO Groupings.

Participants felt a strong need for substantial initiatives supporting the development and sustainability of a genuine civil society in Russia and the strengthening of dialogue and co-operation between NGOs and public authorities. They encouraged the Council of Europe to look into possibilities of launching a multi-annual co-operation programme in different regions with civil society partners in Russia on questions such as:

- The improvement of the national legislation on NGOs and its application;

- Putting into practice mechanisms for consultation and co-operation between
NGOs and public authorities;

- The development of interaction between NGOs, authorities and business for
overcoming challenges facing society.