Editorial by Conny Reuter

Transparency? Transparency!

Five years ago, the European Commission introduced a “register of interest representatives” with the intention of raising the curtain on the shadowy lobbying activities around the European institutions. In 2011, this register became the joint European Commission – Parliament Transparency Register, which two years later is currently being reviewed currently by the two institutions.

As registration is not compulsory and there is no control on the data included by the registering organisations, it is worth having a closer look at the Register and being ready for some astonishing discoveries: some big banks and corporations have only registered a few staff members and very low lobbying budgets. So even though SOLIDAR appears to invest more in lobbying than some well-known banks and corporations, this is only because we are not afraid of being transparent and indicating the entire budget for our Brussels based network which is not only doing lobbying, but also advocacy and project coordination. Read more…

A Global New Deal

The SOLIDAR Secretary General participated in the Progressive Alliance Seminar "A Global New Deal" which took place in Stockholm on 23 and 24 October 2013, hosted by the Swedish Social Democratic Party (SAP). During the event, a Progressive Alliance Campaign on "Decent Work Worldwide" was agreed upon the basis of a proposal to which SOLIDAR contributed. The call for the campaign was presented by the leader of the Italian PD Guglielmo Epifani.

In the course of the campaign on "Decent Work Worldwide", different activities will take place in all major regions across the world. Some of them have already been scheduled for the following dates:

• 21-23 February 2014, Tunis, Tunisia: Conference of the Progressive Alliance, hosted by Ettakatol Tunisia
• 22-23 July 2014, Montevideo, Uruguay: Progressive Alliance Seminar on Decent Work, hosted by PS Uruguay

International Cooperation

ANND: Deepening Democracy and Free Trade Agreements

This week the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) visited Brussels to meet representatives of the European Union working on political, economic and trade issues. The delegation included ANND members and partners from 6 Arab countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia. In preparation of the visit, ANND developed a position paper and amendments on the European Parliament Resolution on Trade with Euromed. Read more…

Join us next Wednesday at 7.30pm: Film & Debate on Workers’ Rights in Pakistan, Cinema Aventure, Brussels

Everyday, big companies are sending products made in developing countries like Pakistan to Europe. But what is the situation of the workers in these countries? Join us on 13 November for an inspirational event and discussion with activists and filmmakers on how civil society organisations around the world can improve workers’ rights and working conditions and how cinema can be a tool to promote social justice and decent work for all. Read more…

Social Affairs

CSR: Meeting Social and Environmental Goals in Social Housing Sector

On 7 November, SOLIDAR participated in the first stakeholder meeting of the project “ERHIN- European Responsible Housing Initiative” led by Cecodhas, IUT and Delphis. SOLIDAR supports the idea of including social, ethical and environmental responsibilities on the agenda of social housing providers. Even if not explicitly mentioned in the Europe 2020 Strategy, equal access for all to affordable and quality housing is an essential aspect to take into account in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. Read more…

Improving Provision of Social Service Delivery in South East Europe

This week (4-6 November) a staff meeting for the “Improving Provision of Social Service Delivery in South East Europe through Empowerment of CSO Networks” project took place in Sarajevo. Project partners which include SOLIDAR, ASB Germany and partners from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo prepared a seminar on active inclusion and social cohesion in the Western Balkans on 9-10 December. During this seminar a regional network will be launched composed of civil society organisations working to deliver social services. This engagement builds upon the report developed by SOLIDAR in cooperation with partners on Active Inclusion in the Western Balkans.

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning Week 2013

From 2 to 6 December 2013 the European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning (EUCIS-LLL) is organising the 3rd edition of Lifelong Learning Week. This event aims to create an opportunity to reflect upon the current education and training systems and give a space to all stakeholders to exchange on their perspectives and raise attention on the topics presented.

Members News

Germany
Read AWO’s Dortmund Statement on "Inklusion – auch bei uns!“

UK
See the amazing photo exhibition by award-winning photographer, Tina Remiz, of how War on Want joins grassroots movements in taking back the streets and claiming the Right to the City.

Read Banana Link’s Banana Trade news bulletin.

Belgium
FOS is looking for an Coordinator for South America and a Regional Programme Manager for South Africa.

Read FOS’s latest news.

Italy
Read ISCOS’s China news.

Partners News

Read Labour Education Foundation’s article on Home-based workers demand recognition as labour national convention demands legislations for HBWs.

Read the Arab Social Democratic Forum (ASDF) statement expressing its deep concern regarding the political developments in Egypt.

Read the ILO Office for the European Union and the Benelux countries newsletter.

Agenda

13-14 November: SOLIDAR International Cooperation Forum, Brussels (register – for members only)
13 November: Film & debate – Workers Rights in Pakistan, Cinema Aventure, Brussels (more info)
15 November: SOLIDAR Field Visit on social and professional integration in Morocco, followed by national seminar on EU policy monitoring and cooperation, Marrakech, Morocco.
27 November: European Year for Citizens Alliance 2013 high-level event, European Parliament

SOLIDAR is a European network of 60 NGOs working to advance social justice in Europe and worldwide. SOLIDAR voices the concerns of its member organisations to the EU and international institutions across the policy sectors social affairs, international cooperation and lifelong learning. For more info www.solidar.org