The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Conference and 9th Annual Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) is taking place on 25-27 October. The event is being held in the Estonian capital Tallinn as part of the country’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The three-day event, which has been entitled “Tangible Results for People: Envisioning the Eastern Partnership in 2020 and Beyond”, will focus on the future of Eastern Partnership policy and civil society’s contribution to better governance in these countries.
“Civil society representatives are the best sponsors and monitors of much-needed reforms in the Eastern Partnership countries,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. “They are voices against corruption and for transparency and an essential force in our daily work on so many issues, from fighting violence against women, to improving the media environment. We are partners, and we need each other to reach our common goals and to make the Eastern Partnership deliver.”
Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, stressed: “We are delivering on our promise to follow social innovation trends in our broadened support to civil society.”
“Together with partner governments, civil society in the Eastern Partner countries will bring us closer to citizens in areas that make most difference for their lives,” he added.
The conference will serve as a platform for participants to discuss better governance, dialogue between governments and civil society, the use of technology to promote government transparency, and inclusive approaches to economic development. Discussions will also focus on civil society’s role in combating disinformation and developing media competence.
The participants will adopt a Civil Society Declaration identifying major obstacles to further democratic development, offering specific recommendations on how governments and civil society organisations can work together to overcome these obstacles.
The event is held every two years alongside the Eastern Partnership Summit, which this year will take place on 24 November in Brussels.
