FOCUS ON THE SOUTH
Environmental Civil Society Organisations (CVOs) have played an important critical role in generating political responses to environmental challenges, and have thereby contributed to the development of a global civil society in which there is greater appreciation of the dimensions of environmental problems and sustainable development.
Environmental Civil Society Organisations (CVOs) have played an important critical role in generating political responses to environmental challenges, and have thereby contributed to the development of a global civil society in which there is greater appreciation of the dimensions of environmental problems and sustainable development.
Transparency and access to adequate information are essential for sustainable development and environmental justice over the long term. Several international declarations and instruments support these objectives. These include the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the (Aarhus) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, and other international recommendations on environmental information.
The purpose of the Environmental Civil Society Voice (ECSV) is to provide a platform for communication, dialogue and networking and discussion among members of the growing community of Environmental Civil Society Organizations. ECSV supports and to mobilises Environmental Civil Society Organisations (ECSO) through providing them with accurate and up-to-date information and knowledge about new developments and activities in relation to environmental issues, practices, policies and processes.
To fulfil its mission, the ECSV will:
•Strengthen the information base and infrastructure to enhance CSO inputs and country negotiation status within the context of multi-lateral environmental conventions, and reporting on the various conventions
•Facilitate access to environmental information to enhance public participation and transparency in local, national and international environmental governance
•Communicate and disseminate information and results, and facilitate knowledge sharing about the international dialogue process to the development partners and civil society organisations
•Enhance the development and exchange of data and information for sustainable development adjectives
•Foster collaboration between CSOs for the purposes of research, campaigning, lobbying, programming and advocacy
•Set or influence research, programmes and policy agendas through improved communication and coordination of its members.
The benefits of membership to ECSNet include:
•Being connected to an international network of environmental civil society organisations
•Receiving the latest news on environmental issues and CVOs’ activities (e.g. meetings, fundraising appeals, reports, news and events)
•Receiving information on lessons learned about implementation approaches
•Participating in discussing environmental emerging issues
•Having partnerships or collaborative activities facilitated
•Finding out who is active where and engage with those who have faced similar challenges
•Having your work disseminated and highlighted on this blog and e-discussion forum
•Having a voice in international sustainable development events and therefore represent adequately your constituencies.
ECSV is supported by ECSNet, an email discussion forum that provides a virtual platform for exchange and consultation on key environmental issues to be addressed by international environmental fora. It provides a framework for ongoing consultation with the environmental Civil society sector, regular communication and collaborative planning. This is designed to ensure that the forum is kept abreast of the key issues of concern to the environmental civil society community, and that the CSOs derive good value from their engagement with the forum. The CSO leaders are encouraged to express their ideas and comments openly and to contribute to the keeping the debate fresh and challenging.
