NCVO's European and International Office co-ordinates NCVO's international work and campaigns at European Union level on generic issues of importance to the English voluntary and community sector.

May 2008

Register now for the CIVICUS World Assembly

The 8th CIVICUS World Assembly will take place from 18-21 June in Glasgow, Scotland.

Theme

This year, the World Assembly will focus on the theme of People, Power and Participation, looking at how civil society accesses, engages with and participates in all forms and spheres of governance at the local, national and international levels.

The World Assembly will bring together members of civil society, government, donors, business and media who will explore “Acting together for a just world” through the focus theme of “People, Participation and Power”.

Programme

For additional information on the programme and what to expect, browse through our e-flyer available in English, Spanish and French.

Date: 18-21 June 2008
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

To register

Register online now to participate (CIVICUS assembly website).

News from the European Union and the world

• EU Issues from a voluntary sector viewpoint
• News about international civil society

Our EU policy positions and campaigns

EU Treaty opens door for more civil society action

25 January 2008 - NCVO has highlighted the role of the EU Treaty in allowing for greater civil society participation with the European institutions. The Treaty is a first step towards recognising the role of civil society in the EU, setting out the opportunity for citizens’ intiatives of 1 million signatures and opening the opportunity for the creation of a European level Compact.

• Download the report (PDF 23KB) of our Eurogroup meeting with Minister Jim Murphy, with members key views on the Treaty.
• The importance of this change was highlighted in parliamentary debate, the Foreign Secretary recognised the value of the views of voluntary sector leaders and our call for a Euro Compact was raised by Tom Levitt MP, see debate on the 21 January 2008 in the House of Commons.

• Stuart Etherington’s key response in the Guardian on 22 January

Campaigns

N CVO’s European and International Office campaigns at European Union level on behalf of the English Voluntary and Community Sector. 

• Download (PDF, 125KB): NCVO's response to the EU's Consultation on the Transparency Inititative Green Paper
• Download  (PDF, 125KB): NCVO's response to the EU's Consultation on the Communication White Paper
• NCVO’s Campaign for a Compact Style Agreement at EU level. 
  

Get Involved

Our Eurogroup network

We also run the Eurogroup, a network of voluntary sector officers interested in EU issues.  As well as regular events on EU themes, Eurogroup members get monthly newsletters with EU news and information.

International membership

We have specifically developed an International Membership package to enable organisations based outside of the UK to keep up to date with the work of the NCVO and to receive news and information about the English Voluntary Sector. Join NCVO, get the international membership.

Related features

• Briefing on the Contents of the European Union Constitution from the Perspective of the Voluntary and Community Sector
• Encouraging Public Participation: the European Union and the Voluntary Sector
• Ethical Foreign Policy?: Hinton Lecture 1999
• EU issues
• How to Campaign at European Union Level
• News: News About International Civil Society
• Response to European Commission Consultation on Code of Conduct for Transparency and Accountability by Non Profit Organisations
• The European Concordat