Minutes of the AGNA Annual General Meeting, 9 September 2011, Delta Montreal
Hotel, Canada.
I. Introduction
The 2011 AGNA annual general meeting brought AGNA members together for the first
time since August 2010 to assess progress made on the objectives agreed to, discuss
issues affecting national associations and civil society in different countries and identify
priorities for the coming year. At the meeting, AGNA members were presented with
reports on activities carried out in the course of the year and the finances of the
network. A new Steering Committee was elected at the end of the meeting with a
mandate to serve until September 2012.
2. Opening remarks by CIVICUS Secretary General -Ingrid Srinath
Ingrid began her remarks by highlighting the changes and challenges which continue to
affect citizens in the MENA region and other parts of the world. She informed the
meeting that national associations and AGNA hold a special position to respond to these
changes. These crises, she observed, present new opportunities for civil society to
effect change.
She indicated that the Civil Society Index (CSI) report published recently presents an
overview of the state of civil society in about 29 countries who implemented the CSI.
The obvious gap the report highlights is between organised civil society and citizens and
this indicates that change will happen whether organised civil society is involved or not.
Ingrid then noted that in recent years, civil society has experienced a push back in the
space in which it operates and in its human and financial capacity and that demands and
aspirations on the sector have increased. Laws and regulations continue to constrain the
space for civil society, a point that can be validated by the Civil society Watch’s response
to threats to civil society in more than 90 countries over the last few years.
Another emerging trend, she pointed out, is the increased propensity for regimes
around the world to clamp down on dissenters. Ingrid noted further that civil society
continues to face claims for accountability and transparency and that there is an
increasing gap between governments, citizens and organised civil society.
She informed the meeting that different groups are jostling for different demands and
that AGNA can take a leading role in bridging these divides. She concluded by saying
that there is an urgent need to find the passion, resources and finances which will
enable civil society make maximum impact.
3. Minutes of the 2010 AGM
After due consideration of the minutes, they were approved.
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4. Report from Chair of the Steering Committee
A message of goodwill from Analia Bettoni, outgoing Chair of the Steering Committee
was read by the acting Chair, Anna Mazgal at the start of the AGM as Analia could not
travel to Montreal because of other work commitments.
A report on the activities carried out in the course of the year was presented to
members. The report highlighted the following;
I) Peer-learning exchange visits
The following NAs participated in peer-learning exchange visits between December
2010 and June 2011; NGO Federation of Nepal and JACO-Japan in December 2010,
JACO-Japan and CODE-NGO-Philippines in April 2011, NCVO-England and NANGOZimbabwe in April 2011, MACOSS-Mauritius and VANI-India in April 2011 and PNFPakistan and SCVO-Scotland in May 2011. Reports from these events have been shared
with members through the AGNA newsletter.
II). Regional Meetings
III). The European Network of National Associations (ENNA).
ENNA has been formalised and has had several meetings since the last AGM in August
2010. This regional group shares information on its activities, initiatives and projects
with AGNA. AGNA members in ENNA put potential members from the region in touch
with the AGNA Secretariat. ENNA will be having its next AGM in mid-September 2011.
IV) AGNA Asia regional group
The AGNA Asia regional group had its first meeting in Toronto in August 2010 and
compiled a publication based on reports from that meeting. It had its second meeting
on the 7-8 of September 2011.
The group is currently working on a data base system which will have information on
civil society in AGNA member countries in Asia and continues to have online discussions.
The next regional meeting for the group will take place in Nepal.
V) AGNA Working Groups
- Government-civil society relations – the group had online discussions on ways in
which civil society can work with governments in countries where AGNA has a
presence.
The group synthesised findings from a survey sent out to members to assess the
state of relations between national associations, civil society and governments in
countries where AGNA has a presence. A report from the group was presented
to members at the AGM.
-
Legitimacy, transparency and accountability of NAs and Civil Society –
Discussions among group members culminated in a webinar focusing on
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regulatory mechanisms for civil society and national associations. Members who
participated in the webinar presented experiences on self-regulatory
mechanisms.
The webinar identified gaps on regulatory mechanisms for AGNA members
which form the basis for future work and priorities for the group. The group
presented a report on its activities at the AGM.
-
Global advocacy – The group consolidated responses from surveys on best
practices on advocacy from Poland, Estonia, Mexico and the Philippines and
presented a report on its activities to members at the AGM.
-
Enabling Environment - The group synthesised findings from a survey on the
regulatory environment for civil society in member countries and identified key
trends on civil society regulation in different countries.
The lead person for the group held discussions on the enabling environment for
civil society with members from the AGNA Asia regional group during the latter’s
second meeting.
-
Membership strategies – online discussions were held by members of the group
on the membership structure of national associations and these discussions
together with feedback from surveys sent out and additional research on
membership were put together in a comprehensive resource guide on
membership strategies by the group. A report from the group was presented at
the AGM.
VI) Other Activities
-
-
Steering Committee meetings: the Steering Committee had teleconference calls
on a regular basis to discuss concerns, priorities and strategies for AGNA.
Steering Committee members served as liaison persons for the different working
groups and updates were regularly shared with members.
AGNA newsletter: content for the newsletter was provided by members and
the newsletter was circulated on a regular basis to all members.
AGNA participation at the World Social Forum: Kebba K. Barrow from TANGO,
the Gambia moderated discussions at a CIVICUS-organised workshop at the
World Social Forum in Dakar, Senegal in February 2011 while presentations were
made by representatives from VANI-India and the NGO Federation of Nepal at
the workshop.
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5. Financial Updates from AGNA Coordinator
The AGNA coordinator presented a financial report and shared information on costs
associated with AGNA activities for the past year. A breakdown of the expenses and
costs incurred is shown below.
Activity
7 peer-learning exchange visits
WA bursaries & logistics
Bursaries from CIVICUS
Human Resources
Professional (consultants)
Shared CIVICUS costs
Miscellaneous
Indirect expenses
Planning and learning
Members contributions
Total Expenses including contributions
from members and CIVICUS
Total Expenses excluding contributions
from members and CIVICUS
Costs
USD 13.500
USD 22.000
USD 9000
USD 25,057.18
USD 6061.17
USD 1953.71
USD 2812.04
USD 1953.71
USD 1 486.77
USD 18000
USD 101.824.58
74.824.58
6. Questions/comments from members
I) How are peer-learning events arranged?
Response: A call is made at the start of the year for members interested in hosting and
attending peer-learning events and those who express interest are selected. The
number selected each year is based on the budget available.
II) Comments from members
There is need for more effective collaboration between AGNA working groups and the
CIVICUS Secretariat.
The time allocated and spent during Steering Committee teleconference calls should be
maximised to the fullest and this means identifying more efficient facilities to host the
calls.
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7. Reports from Working Groups
Cross-section of members in working group discussions
I) Civil society government relations
Through online discussions and findings from a survey sent to all AGNA members, an
assessment was made on civil society’s relations with governments in different
countries were AGNA has a presence.
An assessment of the findings from the surveys and online discussions reveal that AGNA
members are at different levels in their participation in decision-making processes in
their respective countries and that members are strongly of the view that AGNA should
develop a model framework for participation at country level.
In its report to the AGM, the group mentioned that AGNA members were keen to
develop a model framework on ways of working with government along the lines of the
European Unions’ Code of Good Practice for Civil Participation in the Decision Making
Process.
Way forward
- The group will do a compilation of existing frameworks, codes or documents on
civil society engagements with governments from members
- Members will seek a formal endorsement of the models on civil society
participation in decision-making processes on pages 7-8 of the European
Council’s Code of Good Practice for Participation in Decision-Making Processes
- AGNA members will endorse the Code within the space of 4 months from the
date the code will be circulated and email back their endorsements
- The objective is not to ask members to replace their codes with the Code of
Good Practice but rather to endorse parts of it for common use
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The group will then work on a model framework on government civil society
relations with support from CIVICUS staff
The model framework will be drafted in a way which takes into cognisance the
different contexts in which AGNA members operate
Members of the group
Lead
Ivan Cooper – The Wheel, Ireland
Participants Kebba K. Barrow (TANGO-the Gambia), Harsh Jaitli (VANI-India), Sixdon
Macasaet (CODE-NGO-Philippines), Dave Henderson (ANGO-New
Zealand), Consuelo Castro (CEMEFI-Mexico), Addys Then (Alianz NGO),
Premadah Nankoo (MACOSS –Mauritius), Oli Henman (NCVO-England),
Tim Delaney (NCN-USA).
Observers
Liana Varon/Derya Kaya (TUSEV-Turkey), Dala Rawal (NFN-Nepal),
Mohammad Alam (ANCB-Afghanistan), Yoshiharu Shiraishi (JACO-Japan)
and Urmo Kübar (NENO-Estonia)
II) Legitimacy, transparency and accountability of NAs and civil society
Members of the group and CIVICUS hosted a webinar on self regulatory mechanisms for
civil society and national associations. Discussions at the webinar centred on the
motivations, advantages and challenges of implementing self regulatory mechanisms for
civil society and national associations.
Experiences on self regulatory mechanisms from Nigeria, Mauritius, the Philippines,
Zimbabwe and Ireland were shared during the webinar and the gaps identified formed
the basis for future work and upcoming priorities.
Way forward
- The group will carry-out an assessment of self-regulatory mechanisms developed
by national associations
- Identify areas which have worked and those that need to be improved.
- Identify ways in which national associations deal with the issue of proportionality
- Utilise the LTA toolkit and other resources from the LTA resource centre.
- Group members will participate in LTA Advisory Committee set up by CIVICUS
- Together with other AGNA members, participate in 2 regional consultations on
self regulation of CSOs.
- Co-organise and participate in webinars based on results from regional
consultations and surveys on self-regulation.
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Members of the group
Lead
Sixdon Macasaet (CODE-NGO-Philippines) and Oli Henman (NCVOEngland)
Participants
Marcel Lauzière (Imagine Canada), Harsh Jaitli (VANI-India),
Amsale Maryam (ADA-Jamaica),
Dala Rawal (NFN-Nepal),
Mohammad Alam (ANCB- Afghanistan), Yoshiharu Shiraishi (JACOJapan), Addys Then (Alianz ONG-Dominican Republic), Consuelo
Castro (CEMEFI-Mexico)
Observers
Dave Henderson (ANGOA- New Zealand), and Ivan Cooper (The
Wheel-Ireland)
III) Global advocacy
The group shared findings on surveys focusing on best practices on global advocacy with
key lessons from the following countries; Estonia focused on best practices on advocacy
related to elections and electoral outcomes, Poland focused on a proposed Law on
Foundations in Poland and the Philippines on the Development Assistance Fund and
Congressional Allocations.
The group was restructured and broadened and will now focus on advocacy, space and
the role of national associations.
Members of the group
Lead
Tim Delaney (NCN-USA)
Participants
Amsale Maryam (ADA-Jamaica), Harsh Jaitli (VANI-India), Mohammad
Alam (ANCB-Afghanistan), Premadah Nankoo (MACOSS-Mauritius),
Consuelo Castro (CEMEFI-Mexico), Oli Henman (NCVO-England) and
Marcel Lauzière (Imagine Canada-Canada)
Observers
Sixdon Macasaet (CODE-NGO-Philippines), Dala Rawal (NFN-Nepal),
Liana Veron/Derya Kaya (TUSEV-Turkey), Yoshiharu Shiraishi (JACOJapan), Dave Henderson (ANGOA-New Zealand), Ivan Cooper (The
Wheel-Ireland), Louisa Gomez Crespo (Plataforma de ONG-Spain)
IV) Enabling Environment
The group reported that it carried out a survey on the enabling environment and civil
society regulation in countries where AGNA has a presence and findings from the survey
were presented to AGNA members.
These findings indicate that in India, Mexico, Turkey and Japan, national associations
and civil society were at the time involved in the review and reform processes of laws
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regulating the civil society sector. In Estonia, Lithuania and Gambia no crucial issues
were reported with the current legislation while in Nepal and Pakistan, concerns were
raised over laws aimed at regulating the sector.
Way forward
-
-
-
The group will now collaborate with the Government-civil society relations
working group to draft a preamble to the proposed Code of Good Practice for
Civil Society Participation in Decision-Making Process.
Include questions on a survey from the government-civil society group on the
effectiveness of current legislation on CSOs and issues of concern arising from
this legislation.
Liaise with AGNA regional groups and have a session on the enabling
environment during regional meetings.
Members of the group
Lead
David Robinson (ANGOA – New Zealand)
Participants Harsh Jaitli (VANI-India), Yoshiharu Shiraishi (JACO-Japan), Dala Rawal
(NGO-Federation), Tim Delaney (NCN-USA), Sixdon Macasaet (CODENGO-Philippines), Ivan Cooper (The Wheel, Ireland), Mohammad Alam
(ANCB-Afghanistan)
Observe
Consuelo Castro (CEMEFI-Mexico), Oli Henman (NCVO-England), Addys
Then (Alianz ONG-Dominican Republic)
V) Membership
The group had online discussions and telephone conversations on the different aspects
of membership of national associations in addition to a survey sent out to all members.
The group has produced a toolkit on different aspects of membership for national
associations and is currently working on the final draft.
Way forward
-
The group will finalise work on the membership toolkit and then focus on
services to members.
Members of the group
Lead
Participants
Liana Veron / Derya Kaya TUSEV Turkey
Harsh Jaitli (VANI-India) and Dala Rawal
(NGO-Federation, Nepal)
Sixdon Macasaet (CODE-NGO) and
Premadah Nankoo (MACOSS-Mauritius)
Observe
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8. CIVICUS Convening and AGNA
The Outreach Director at CIVICUS, Henri Valot informed the meeting that feedback from
members following consultations with CIVICUS show that members value being part of a
global network.
To bring members together in this network, CIVICUS will communicate more in Spanish,
French, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic, strengthen its presence at regional level,
establish a more decentralised structure and undertake outreach through partnerships
with local organisations.
I) How AGNA members can participate
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Through an annual global civil society report which will map civil society actors,
issues and engagements through the ‘words and eyes’ of civil society.
AGNA members who expressed interest – NCVO-England, VANI-India, Alianz
ONG- Dominican Republic, MACOSS-Mauritius, CODE-NGO-Philippines,
TUSEV-Turkey and Plataforma ONG Accion Social -Spain.
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A multilingual e-CIVICUS containing news, resources, opportunities and events
for, by and about civil society globally.
AGNA members who expressed interest - Sinergia-Venezuela and Plataforma
ONG Accion Social -Spain.
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A crisis response fund which supports time-bound urgent advocacy activities
combating threats to civil society through various activities.
AGNA members who expressed interest- ADA –Jamaica and Sinergia-Venezuela.
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Joint funding proposals on projects.
AGNA members who expressed interest–TANGO-The Gambia, ANCBAfghanistan, NFN-Nepal, Alianz ONG-Dominican Republic and ADA, Jamaica
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Learning exchanges.
AGNA members who expressed interest– ANCB-Afghanistan, TANGO-The
Gambia, NFN-Nepal, JACO-Japan, Alianz ONG-Dominican Republic, VANI-India,
CODE-NGO-Philippines, Plataforma ONG Accion Social-Spain, OFOP-Poland,
NENO-Estonia, NCVO-England, and Imagine Canada-Canada.
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UN- Engagements - Promote local civil society voices directly to key UN forums
by strengthening civil society partner’s participation and effective engagement –
AGNA members who expressed interest– ANCB-Afghanistan, ADA-Jamaica,
VANI-India,
NCVO-England,
CODE-NGO-Philippines,
Sinergia-Venezuela,
Plataforma ONG Social-Spain, ANGOA-New Zealand and The Wheel-Ireland.
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Joint advocacy.
AGNA members who expressed interest- TANGO-The Gambia, NFN-Nepal,
ANCB-Afghanistan, MACOSS-Mauritius, VANI-India and Sinergia-Venezuela.
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Volunteerism using AGNA members to; clarify realities, develop bridges to better
connect pathways to participation and in the upcoming publication in
partnership with UNV.
9. Election of new Steering Committee
The following members (in alphabetical order) were elected into the new Steering
Committee with a mandate to serve until September 2012
Name
Addys Then
Cephas Zinhumwe
David Robinson
Kebba K. Barrow
Mohammad Alam
Oliver Henman (Chair)
Tim Delaney
Yoshiharu Shiraishi
National Association and country
Alianz ONG – Dominican Republic
NANGO- Zimbabwe
ANGOA-New Zealand
TANGO- The Gambia
ANCB- Afghanistan
NCVO-England
NCN- USA
JACO-Japan
Some Steering Committee members
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10) New Members
We welcome the National Council of Non-Profits –USA and the Association of NGOs in
Norway to AGNA.
Some AGNA members pose for a group photo at the AGM
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ANNEX I- List of Participants - 2011 AGM
Name
National
Association
/Organisation
Feliciano Reyna
Sinergia – Venezuela
Marisa Gomez
Plataforma de ONG –
Spain
Liana Varon
TUSEV-Turkey
Kebba K. Barrow
TANGO-The Gambia
Dala Rawal
NFN- Nepal
Emmanuel Areno
CODE-NGO-Philippines
Sixdon Macasaet
CODE-NGO –Philippines
Seth Lartey
Commonwealth
Foundation –UK
David Robinson
ANGOA- New Zealand
Dave Henderson
ANGOA- New Zealand
Ivan Cooper
The Wheel-Ireland
Oliver Henman
NCVO-England
Addys Then
Alianz ONG –Dominican
Republic
Urmo Kübar
NENO-Estonia
Anna Mazgal
OFOP-Poland
Mohammad Alam
ANCB-Afghanistan
Harsh Jaitli
VANI-India
Amsale Maryam
ADA-Jamaica
Tim Delaney
NCN- USA
Yoshiharu Shiraishi
JACO-Japan
Consuelo Castro
CEMEFI-Mexico
Anabel Cruz
Instituto
de
Comunicación
y
Desarrollo
Premadah Nankoo
MACOSS
Fiona Talcott
Consultant
Katsuji Imata
CIVICUS
Adam Nord
CIVICUS
Mariano De Donatis
CIVICUS
Richard Bennett
Consultant
David Kode
CIVICUS
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Email
fjreyna@gmail.com
direccion@plataformaong.org
liana@tusev.org.tr
barrowba@qanet.gm
dalarawal@gmail.com
Eman181a@yahoo.com
scmacasaet@code-ngo.org
s.lartey@commonwealth.int
davidjrobinson@xtra.co.nz
dave.henderson@angoa.org.nz
ivan@wheel.ie
Oliver.henman@ncvo-vol.org.uk
athen@alianzaong.org.do
urmo@ngo.ee
Anna.mazgal@ofop.engo.pl
Mohdalam2@yahoo.com
harsh@vaniindia.org
asdevgen@cwjamaica.com
tdelaney@councilofnonprofits.org
shiraishi@kohokyo.or.jp
consuelocastro@cemefi.org
info@lasociedadcivil.org
macoss@intnet.mu
fionatalcott@hotmail.com
Katsuji.imata@civicus.org
Adam.nord@civicus.org
Mariano.dedonatis@civicus.org
richardbennett9@googlemail.com
david.kode@civicus.org