OSCE/ODIHR Civil Society Forum focuses on strengthening role of associations in public decision-making processes

Some 40 civil society representatives from more than 25 OSCE participating States discussed the participation of associations in public decision-making processes at the Civil Society Forum organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 15 and 16 April 2015 in Vienna.

During the Forum, participants reviewed good practice examples and identified some general principles and practical measures for enhancing public participation by associations, including policy, regulatory frameworks and initiatives that support and build a culture of participation.

“The involvement of the public and of associations in formal political processes is an essential element of a healthy civil society,” said Cholpon Djakupova, Director of the Adilet public foundation legal clinic, in the Kyrgyz Republic.

“To foster public participation in decision-making, a minimum normative framework should be developed, and a participatory culture – on the side of public institutions, as well as within the civil society sector – should be strengthened,” said Goran Forbici, Executive Director of the Centre for Information Service, Co-operation and Development of NGO (Slovenia).

The Forum discussions led to a set of concrete recommendations, which will be presented to the OSCE participating States and civil society participants at the Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, on 16 and 17 April 2015 in Vienna.