Report by Mr Mikko Lohikoski
Chairman, Finnish NGO Organising Committee

on the outcome of the
III BALTIC SEA NGO FORUM
8 - 11 May 2003, in the City of Turku, Finland

In just over a decade, a remarkable process of cooperation has developed in the Baltic Sea Region. Our region is has again become a natural and dynamic area of interaction and cooperation. With the enlargement of the European Union just ahead of us, this process is bound to accelerate and deepen.

One of the unmistakable signs of this is the deepening cooperation between civil society organisations in the Baltic Sea Region. They are in the process of creating more permanent and structured forms for their multilateral interaction.. By doing so, they follow the example of the states, subregions, cities, parliamentarians, business representatives and others.

This trend become again evident in the Third Baltic Sea NGO Forum, held in Turku, Finland 8 - 11 May 2003 under the patronage of Mrs Tarja Halonen, the President of Finland. It was a highlight of the Finnish Presidency of the CBSS. The main theme of the Forum was "Northern Dimension - Human Dimension? Strengthening of the Civil Society in the Baltic Sea Region."

The Turku Forum brought together over 400 representatives of NGOs and other civil society organisations from all countries participating in the Baltic Sea cooperation and adjacent areas. It was the largest and most representative of the Forums so far organised.

The aim of the Forum was to strengthen the civil society in the region by offering the NGOs in the Baltic Sea countries the opportunity to meet and develop new networks. This process of annual Forums gives continuity to the contacts between NGOs in the region and helps to create a basis for shared values and a common language for dialogue and action.

Representatives of the national focal points agreed on a joint final document, which was finalised by the Finnish organising committee on basis of comments received from the participants, as agreed by the final plenary session of the Forum.

The Forum emphasized that the European Union enlargement process should not build new barriers, but lead to increased cooperation between countries of the region. It is very important that in this process Russia is not isolated and left outside of the European space but is actively engaged at all levels.

Strengthening of the civil society is an integral and important part of the enlargement process. Strong and independent civil society organisations are an indispensable element of the European societies, today and tomorrow. They enable participation of citizens, provide useful services but also function as critical watchdogs of public authorities when need be. Without a lively civil society, democracy cannot function properly.

The Forum also emphasises the necessity to include civil society in the discussions concerning the Northern Dimension, the need to emphasise its human dimension. Further, the Forum stressed the role of NGOs in the process of enhancing and supporting peace, security, and sustainable development, human rights and all aspects related to human security in the region.

The NGO community in the Baltic Sea Region is very diversified in its outlook. They differ in field of activity, size, resources, orientation and goals. Furthermore, the situation in various countries differs greatly and influences the operational environment of civil society organisations.

However, they have common values. All thos participating in the NGO Fora want to promote peace, security, democracy, human rights and sustainable development in the region and beyond it, develop international co-operation to the benefit of all peoples of the region, work for the protection of the Baltic Sea - our common resource that unites us.

Furthermore, we all want to promote the rule of law and democracy, as well as social cohesion, tolerance and pluralism and to end social exclusion in our societies. Human rights - civil and political as well as social economic - including the rights of minorities as well as gender equality, are all vital elements of democratic society. They must be promoted, respected and protected at all levels.

We, participants of the Forum, emphasise that overall strengthening of the civil society organisations, as well as creating of favourable conditions for their functioning, including simple registration procedures, taxation system supporting non-profit character of their work and philanthropic giving, noninterference of public authorities in their work, transparency of public decision-making and access to public information, are all goals which unite us. These conditions are pre-requisites of democratic society and should be guaranteed by our governments by law and practice. NGOs see strong civil society as a vital dimension of and a guarantor for democracy. They are not, and should not be seen, as competitors of the elected democratic structures.

The work of the Turku forum was divided into four thematic groups:

• Sustainable lifestyle in the Baltic Sea region
• From social exclusion to participation
• Gender equality and human rights in changing societies
• Open Sesame! Promoting transparency in cooperation between NGOs and authorities

In addition, a special plenary session was organised on the theme "access to information", which is vital for the functioning of civil society organisations. The main results of all these are included in the Conclusions of the Forum.

The National Focal Points of participating countries decided to set up a permanent Baltic Sea NGO network, which is an open and transparent NGO structure, which aims at promoting civil society and cross-sectoral NGO cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. It can also significantly enhance overall regional co-operation by ensuring public participation and support. Our aim is to create an open but clearly defined network structure, not any fixed organisation. The Baltic Sea NGO network does not claim to represent all NGOs in the region but it is permanently open for any NGO willing to join the process and accepting the basic values of cooperation

The Baltic Sea NGO network shall work closely with other relevant structures and organisations. Of special importance is good and close co-operation with CBSS. To ensure this, the Baltic Sea NGO net-work is requesting an officially approved consultative status in the CBSS. We also look for close cooperation with the Parliamentarians.

The Baltic Sea NGO Forum will be organised annually during the second quarter of the year. It will be hosted by the NGOs of the country in charge of the rotating CBSS Presidency.

The National Focal Points are formed independently in Baltic Sea Countries. NGOs of each CBSS country decide on structures and responsibilities of Focal Point - while ensuring its open character.

A Baltic Sea NGO Consultative Committee is formed. It consists of the representatives of the Focal Points, one person per country. In addition there is possibility for each Focal Point to send 1-2 experts. The role of the Consultative Committee is to coordinate and to cooperate during the period between the Fora and to participate in the preparations of the Fora together with the national organizing committee to be formed by the NGOs of the host country. It shall also act as liaison with other organisations and networks.

Estonia has succeeded Finland as the Chairman-in-Office of the CBSS. The participants welcomed with great pleasure the initiative of the Estonian NGO community to organise the Fourth Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Estonia.

We are confident that when we meet in Estonia, many new and significant steps have again been taken in promoting mutual cooperation and strengthening the human dimension in the Baltic Sea Region!