The Social Platform’s networking visit took place in Croatia on 24-25 November 2008, which was an event bringing together Croatian NGOs and European networks to discuss the role of Croatian civil society in the Accession process to the EU, and how European networks could support them in achieving this goal. AGE was represented by Karen Vandeweghe, Communication and European Parliament Officer at AGE.
Through a field visit to a local NGO “Children First”, an NGO working on children’s rights, representatives from the European networks could observe the particular situation in which NGOs in Croatia function.
During the conference, participants from Croatia discussed with the European networks the ways in which civil society could be involved in the discussions on accession, the different steps to go from structured consultation with the government to the right of participation or even partnership, and measures to be taken to improve the current situation of NGOs in Croatia, such as the establishment of networks and identification of common grounds, higher recognition of their role, professionalisation, need of training and upgrading of skills, etc.
The networking visit was a huge success, and AGE has planned in its work programme 2009 to organise another visit to Croatia in order to exchange more directly information and best practices with older people's organisations working in Croatia and see how they could get involved in AGE network.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 15:07
