Active Dialogue Networks
During ENGAGE 2011-2013, advocacy and lobbying activities will receive greater attention and emphasis as tools to achieve widespread, sustainable change across the island. With this goal in mind, we will establish four working teams called “Active Dialogue Networks” (ADNs) each specialising in the following areas:
- Gender and Diversity (click here for more information)
- Peace and Reconciliation (click here for more information)
- CSO Profile and Enabling Environment
- Sustainable Development.
The four ADNs will bring together key people from different sectors of society including local authorities, policy makers, the business community, academia and civil society. Each ADN will work through a series of meetings bicommunal in Nicosia and monocommunal in rural areas in both main communities. The idea is to provide the participants with the space to debate and exchange of ideas on what needs to be changed.
The Networks will work to identify in each of the aforementioned areas the core issues and needs within the two main communities of the island. The prioritised issues come about through a democratic mechanism that allows all interested parties to vote on what they consider as most important subjects for improvement. Policy recommendations will accompany each prioritised issue proposing changes. In fact the policy recommendations will be included in concise policy papers that will be highlighted through public outreach events, aiming to attract and involve the public towards the work of the ADNs.
The ADNs will implement structured advocacy and lobbying actions with influential key actors and decision makers by organizing round table discussions, initiating declarations and petitions, and securing extensive media coverage. The final goal will be to succeed in turning some of the policy recommendations into concrete institutionalised policy change enactment.
Through these working groups, ENGAGE will encourage dialogue between multiple sectors of society and engage key actors and grassroots in the process of enacting social change together.
