Practicalities for Delegates and Guests

You will find detailed information regarding practicalities, financial support and reimbursement rules.

 

General Information

We would kindly ask all participants to register by January 23.

NOTE: A registration form is not enough to register as a delegate! Delegates of Member, Partner and Observer organisations need to be confirmed by their organisation. Therefore, an official email from your organisation’s email account should be sent to office@cdnee.org confirming the name(s) of your delegate(s).

In order for CDN to be able to provide financial support for the delegates’ travel costs, the above-proposed deadlines shall apply. The deadline is determined by the IRPs “Each member and partner organisation shall inform the Secretariat of the names of their representatives at least 45 days before the General Assembly”

Guests and WG members can register for the GA by filling in the same form and notifying office@cdnee.org if they would like CDN to book accommodation in the same venue.

The delegates are expected to arrive at the venue in location the on 8th in the evening (dinner will be provided) and depart on the 13th in the morning (breakfast will be provided).

Note: We strongly encourage you to follow the good practice of having one experienced delegate (preferably, someone who has been to previous GAs) and one less experienced delegate (to ensure the transfer of knowledge).

In addition, according to IRPs  8.1 Participants of CDN events can’t be older than 30 at the moment of applying. Delegates, whom we will reimburse, are considered participants. Guests, coming at their own expense, can be any age.

For any additional information regarding the financial arrangements, please get in touch with the Secretariat.

To whom will we be covering the costs?

If you’re coming as the 1st Delegate:

CDN will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals) during the GA and Strategic Planning Meeting.

If you’re coming as a 2nd Delegate:

CDN will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals) during the GA and Strategic Planning Meeting.

According to CDN IRP’s second delegates of Member Organizations have to pay a participation fee of 10 EUR, unless delegates are younger than 25.

If you’re coming as a 1st Delegate:

We will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals) during the General Assembly.

If you’re coming as a 2nd Delegate:

CDN will not be able to cover any costs.

According to CDN IRP’s second delegates of Partner Organizations have to pay a participation fee of 10 EUR, unless delegates are younger than 25.

CDN will not be able to cover any costs (travel, accommodation, meals), however, there is no participation fee for Observer Organisation delegate.
 

We will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals) during the General Assembly.

Non-elected EC Candidates will still have accommodation and meals covered for the duration as if they were elected.

Should get in touch with the office and financial assistance will be decided on an individual basis.

We will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals) during the General Assembly.

CDN will cover all of your accommodation and meal costs during the event.

CDN will not be able to cover any costs of the guests of the General Assembly and Strategic Planning Meeting. 

The participation fee for the guests is 10 EUR and is to be paid via bank transfer prior to or in cash during the GA.

Other information about travel and financial conditions
 

We encourage traveling by land whenever possible and it’s the only option if the journey takes less than 15 hours (IRPs §9.1), for reducing CO2 emissions. Since it might a long way to Warsaw for some of you, flying can be the only option. However, we ask you to organise your travel in the most economic way. Only 2nd/economy class reservations will be reimbursed. This also applies to train reservations.

 

As a principle, we only cover travel expenses from your place of residence to Warsaw and back. In case you need to travel from or to somewhere else, please contact office.assistant@cdnee.org (cc office@cdnee.org) with a justification of the circumstances, after which we will let you know what to do.

 

Once you are nominated and registered as a delegate, send your travel proposal to office.assistant@cdnee.org and keep office@cdnee.org in CC. Proceed with booking as soon as it’s approved.

 

Don’t wait for the last chance to register and purchase tickets as it will get expensive. The deadline to booking tickets is 35 days prior to the GA – 2nd of February.

 

Travel to Warsaw

 

– By Land:

Warsaw Central Central is located at the very heart of Warsaw. It is reachable by train from various places in Europe: including direct connections from Vienna and Budapest that makes traveling by land from the Balkans possible. There are also connections from Ukraine and Lithuania.

You can check for the train connections here: PolRail, ÖBB, Rome2Rio, RailCC

 

You can also reach Warsaw by Bus. Check for routes here: FlixBus, getbybus, and Rome2rio.

 

– By Air:

Warsaw has two airports, so make sure you check both airports for the cheapest option.

Chopin Airport (WAW) is the main airport in Warsaw with regular flights by airline companies such as LOT Polish Airlines, Wizz Air and Smartwings. It is located 10 kilometers south of the city center. You can reach city by Bus or Train.

Modlin Airport (WMI) mostly used by low-cost airline companies such as Ryanair and Enter Air. It is located 40 kilometers northwest of the city. You can reach centre both by Bus or Train.

We recommend looking for affordable flight options here and here.

 

Reimbursement rules

There is no participation fee for the delegates and we will be reimbursing 100% of the travel costs.

In order for us to proceed with your reimbursement, we need to receive all original proofs (tickets, bank statements, bills, bank slips, invoices, boarding passes, reservations and other proofs of payments) for the expenses that you are claimingA cost that doesn’t have its original proof, unfortunately, is a cost that never happened and will not get reimbursed!

 Examples:

  • Train/bus/ferry tickets and reservations, clearly stating the price of the ticket/reservation. This includes local transport, for example a ticket for the bus from an airport to the city centre, including the bill and bank slip (if paid by card).
  • Invoices of flight bookings (if bought online, it is usually an e-mail which states the total price of the flight) and all boarding passes (all need to be sent to office.assistant@cdnee.org). Online boarding passes are accepted. In case you do the online check in through a mobile application, please make sure to make a print-screen of the boarding pass, as they have a tendency to disappear. The flights should also have the proof of payment attached. In case you bought it through a bank transfer or credit card, it would be a statement from your bank system and if you paid in cash, you should always demand a paper bill.

All the reimbursement will happen via bank transfer after the event.

 

More details regarding reimbursement and practicalities (venue, accommodation, etc.), will be shared later with the registered delegates through e-mail.

 

Register for the 2023 General Assembly

Join us in Warsaw, March 9-12, for the most important political and decision-making event for our network.

Click Here

General Assembly 2023

 

We are happy to officially announce the 14th General Assembly of Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe, which will take place between 9-12 March in Warsaw, Poland, hosted by Ostra Zieleń (Polish Young Greens).

 

We invite you to nominate your delegates to the General Assembly (GA) which is the highest decision-making body of CDN. GA consists of delegates from Member and Partner (factual members) organisations and brings other friends from the Green European family to share, network and discuss. GA elects Executive Committee, adopts activity and financial plan for the next year and makes other relevant decisions.

 

This year’s General Assembly is exceptionally important for two reasons. One is that we are celebrating 20 years of CDN and we will dedicate some time to evaluate the past, discuss the present and plan the future. Second, and more importantly this year we will be amending our Statutes for which we will need a higher than usual quorum – two-thirds of all factual member organisations. Therefore, your participation is crucial. In addition, 2023 General Assembly includes the Strategic Planning Meeting during which the delegates will shape the upcoming priorities, scope of work and general development of CDN.

 

 

Regarding the Delegates:

Member organisations has a right to be represented by two delegates with voting rights at the General Assembly and has the full right to nominate its candidate for any organisational group/position or submit amendments to any organisational document. We will cover the full travel and accommodation costs of the two delegates of each Member Organization.

Partner organisations has a right to send one delegate with no voting right to the GA and has the full right to nominate its candidate for any organisational group/position or submit amendments to any organisational document. We will cover the full travel and accommodation costs of one delegate from the partner organisations.

Observer organisations also have a right to take part with one representative in the GA without a participation fee however CDN will not be able to reimburse any costs.

Guests are also welcomed at the GA, bearing in mind that CDN can’t cover their GA-related costs and they will be subjected to participant fees.

 

Note: We strongly encourage you to follow the good practice of having one experienced delegate (preferably, someone who has been to previous GAs) and one less experienced delegate (to ensure the transfer of knowledge).

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Secretariat at office@cdnee.org.

Register for the 2023 General Assembly

Save the dates, and decide on the delegates and your participation.

Click Here

Call for Host Organisation: CDN General Assembly 2023

9-12 March, Warsaw, Poland

General Assembly 2023

We are happy to officially announce the 14th General Assembly of Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe, which will take place between 9-12 March in Warsaw, Poland, hosted by Ostra Zieleń (Polish Young Greens).

Save the dates, decide on the delegates and your participation.

 

Check here

Dear CDN Members and Partner Organisations,

The Executive Committee is hereby announcing an open call for a host organisation for the 2023 General Assembly (GA) and Strategic Planning Meeting scheduled for (time is to be decided between the 3rd or 4th weekends of February or the 1st weekend of March).

General Assembly – which is the highest decision-making body – is the most important political event throughout the year for CDN; while Strategic Planning Meeting will determine the future trajectory and development of the organisation.

We are envisioning having a 3 to 4-day event which only adds to our excitement about holding the GA, finally, live and we will be very happy to receive applications from all MOs and POs that believe they have the capacity to host this event.

In order to have a better understanding of what it takes to organise, and what will be the responsibilities as well as the rights, you can access the guiding document HERE. The preparations will be challenging but at the same time very fulfilling and a valuable experience for any organisation of the network. In addition, hosting the General Assembly has several benefits including:

  • gaining experience in hosting an international political event
  • having a space to organise a session during the topical part of the GA
  • visibility via CDN’s social media

If your organisation is interested in hosting the 2023 GA, fill in this application form.

Deadline: Sunday, 13th of November, 2022.

The application includes information regarding the motivation, previous experience with organising events, and possible propositions for the event (location, accommodation, venue, etc.); your answers will help the committee to decide on the appropriate/suitable location.

Of course, we will follow the COVID-19 situation and organise the GA accordingly, to ensure a safe and inclusive event for all participants.

The Executive Committee will evaluate the applications and make a decision during the committee meeting in November and have a decision by the 20th of November.

For any further questions, don’t hesitate to write to us at giorgi.ptskialadze@cdnee.org.

Call for Executive Committee Member

Dear Young Greens from Eastern Europe,

Following the news that Paula “Pablo” Luīze Pastore is joining Secretariat, we are happy to announce a call for a new Executive Committee Member that will fill in the vacant spot and work with the rest of the EC until the next General Assembly.

This is your chance to contribute to the growing Green movement in Eastern Europe.

The Executive Committee tasks:

  • Work on the implementation of CDN’s Activity Plan, approved by the General Assembly (including project writing, coordination, implementation and reporting);
  • The newly elected EC member will be responsible for the Study Session “Green Cities for the Sustainable Planet”; make sure to check out the responsibilities here;
  • Maintaining close and continuous communication with CDN Member and Partner
     Organisations and Network Partners;
  • Actively following and supporting the smooth work-flow of the Working Groups;
  • Representing and promoting CDN during its and partners’ activities as well as in the digital
     space;
  • Answering challenges and making decisions throughout the year, between GAs, based on the CDN Strategy and CDN’s best interest;
  • Actively participating in the regular (biweekly) EC meetings (that usually last around 2h).
  • Keeping track of the well-being of CDN’s Office.

The candidate for the Executive Committee should:

  • Be motivated to advance the Green movement in the Eastern Europe;
  • Be dedicated to the goals of CDN, subscribe to its political platform and the Green Idea;
  • Be comfortable working in an international environment and have good communication and organisational skills;
  • Be willing and available for active online engagement throughout the mandate;
  • Be prepared for frequent traveling, participating in the live EC meetings, CDN activities and likely several other occasions;
  • Be regularly available on the e-mail for the ongoing discussions, work and decision making, together with regular online meetings;
  • Have a good command of English (written and spoken);
  • Have the interest to follow political developments in Eastern Europe and react to them with available tools such as producing statements, organising and supporting campaigns, assisting member and partner organisations, communicating with other Green stakeholders, etc.

More details about the responsibilities of CDN EC members and the election procedure can be found in the CDN Statutes and Internal Rules of Procedures

The candidate should submit:

  • Filled Application form;
  • Candidate’s CV;
  • Photo (Optional);
  • Introduction to your candidacy;
  • Official letter of support from a Candidate’s organisation or any CDN Member or Partner organisation*

*Only CDN Member and Partner organisations can nominate a candidate for the Executive Committee.

Applications should be submitted HERE.

All technical instructions are given on our GA website but you can also access them HERE.

DEADLINE for submitting candidacies is July 13, 23:59 CET. However, the earlier you apply the more chance delegates will have to see your candidacy on cdn.discuss.green.

In case of any questions do not hesitate to write to office@cdnee.org.

Call for Project Assistant

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Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe (CDN) is announcing a call for the position of Project Assistant in its office in Belgrade, Serbia. This is a paid, full time (40 hours a week) position, beginning from mid-July 2022 (starting date is flexible). The deadline to submit applications is the 31st of May 2022 (23:59 CEST).

Working time: 40 hours/week;
Remuneration: 800 EUR gross;
Contract type: 2 years (minimum) with 3 months probation period;

Location: Belgrade, Serbia.

Our Political Platform lays out the values on which the Network bases its actions. Make sure to get acquainted with it before applying!

We are looking for someone with the following profile:

  • Basic experience in administrative or financial work;

  • Ability to work independently and good organisation of one’s work;

  • Attention to details, good ability to work with numbers and performing administrative tasks;

  • Strong spreadsheet skills;

  • Good computer skills and ability to use various softwares;

  • Fluency in the English language.

Skills that would be an additional asset:

  • Curiosity towards Eastern European civil society;

  • Knowledge of the Green movement and Green politics;

  • Experience in managing finances of a non-governmental organisation;

  • Knowledge of any Eastern European language;

  • Use of (open-source) software (Linux, WordPress, Nextcloud, etc.);

  • Knowledge of design programs (Canva, Gimp etc.);

  • Knowledge of use of social media and communications ( Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Mailchimp, etc.)

Responsibilities:

  • Financial management:

  • Making bank transfers;

  • Bookkeeping for the projects;

  • Reimbursements of the participants and prepteams;

  • Collecting financial documentation from events;

  • Processing and archiving the financial documentation;

  • Financial reporting to funders;

  • Work with the Local Prepteams;

  • Social media management;

  • Updating website;

  • Managing mailing lists;

  • Managing the EYF Local Actions;

  • Occasional diverse ad hock tasks.

Please apply by sending your CV and short cover letter (explaining your experience and interest in this position) in one PDF document to project.coordinator@cdnee.org by 31st of May 2022 (23:59 CEST) with the subject “CDN Project Assistant application”. Please add the above-mentioned e-mail to your contact list, to ensure that our reply doesn’t end up in spam. All candidates who submit an application will be notified about the selection result. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the second half of June and contacted for an interview.

 
 
 

The Future of Eastern Europe Conference

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30 years ago a major shift has happened in global politics and Eastern Europe – states dissolved and collapsed and new ones have been established, the system has been changed. During this period there was a promise that after a long struggle we would achieve democracy and well-being.

 

But as we look back from today it is clear that this has not happened and if it did it was not sustainable.

 

These last decades have been full of hope and misery, protests and revolutions, conflicts and wars, economic uphills and downfalls, democratisation and backsliding.

 

This story has not ended, it is developing and continuing, there are more challenges and opportunities ahead. And all of us, Young Greens and activists in Eastern Europe, are part of this.

 

Therefore we in CDN decided to organise a conference where we would discuss all these issues we are facing.

 

How did we end up where we are now? What is the role of global powers such as the EU, Russia and China in our region? Should we be hopeful for the future as we see emerging environmental movements and progressive political actors? Can we achieve climate prosperity and what challenges do we have regards energy and transition?

These will be questions that we will ask during the conference and try to find answers to through panel discussions with invited speakers, informal talks and sharing our perspectives.
 
 
With this conference, we are aiming to provide a space for Young Greens from EE to discuss what is the common vision for building an authentic Green movement in EE and what is our role in it. We want to explore existing good potentials a have the space to meet with other progressive political actors from the region.
 
 
The Conference is a part of the transnational project “Future of Eastern Europe and (Eco)democracy that we are organising in cooperation with the Green European Foundation, Green Institute of Greece, Sustainable Development Forum Green Window, Green Green Thought Association and Ecopilis Foundation.
 

Although the Conference was planned to happen prior to the CDN General Assembly in March 2022, taking everything into consideration minding everyone’s concerns and safety, the Executive Committee (EC) has accessed the ongoing situation and has come to a conclusion in agreement with GEF partners for the Conference to be postponed.

Having this in mind, The Future of Eastern Europe Conference will be taking place in Riga, Latvia on 6-7th June 2022.

Location: Rija VEF Hotel, Brīvības 199c, Riga, Latvija, LV-1039 

Practicalities:

Language: The main language of this activity will be English. But not being comfortable with interacting in English should not prevent you from applying. CDN strives to create an inclusive atmosphere at the events, where participants are encouraged to express themselves and ask for clarifications or translations from peers that speak the same language.

Costs: Anyone is welcome to take part in the conference with their own expenses. There is no participation fee.

In addition, CDN can cover the participation of a limited number of applications of young greens and activists from Eastern Europe (with a maximum age of 30). Meaning the cost of travel, and lodging (accommodation in multi-bed rooms, vegetarian/vegan food and refreshments).

In any case, take into consideration choosing the most economic and environmentally friendly means of travel (lowest price + travel time + CO2 emissions) and in case the trip would take less than 15 hours only travelling by land (train+bus) is reimbursed (IRPs §9.1).

Deadline: 20th of May (if applying for CDN to cover your participation.)

You will be informed by e-mail approximately 1 week after the deadline. Please add office@cdnee.org to your contacts, so that you do not receive our reply in the spam folder.

In case of having any questions, do not hesitate to write us at office@cdnee.org

 

Programme

Time Zone: Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) / Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) + 3

Day 1, Monday, June 6

10:00-10:15 Opening of the conference
 
10:15-11:30 Eastern Europe as a region – a story of turbulent transformation (Live Stream)
 

Speakers: 

– Sonja Schiffers, Director of Heinrich-Boell Foundation, South Caucasus Office

– Anastasiya Dorofeeva, Belarusian Green party, Belarusian anti-nuclear campaign, hub “Green foundations”

 
Description: For more than thirty years Eastern Europe is a region of independent nation-states. During this period there was the promise that after a long struggle democracy and well-being would be achieved. Looking at it today, it is clear that most Eastern European countries are far from democracy and the well-being of citizens.
In this session, we will try to analyse and reflect on the last decades of Eastern Europe, mainly focusing to find the roots of current problems and possible solutions by looking back at the recent history – what shaped the region, how the democratisation and transition took place.
 
 
12:00-13:30 Influence of Global Powers: Eastern Europe at the crossroads between democracy and autocracy (Live Stream)
 
Speakers:

– Anton Cherepenko, the Free Hong Kong Center in Kyiv

– Zarina Burkadze  Associate Professor of Political Science, Ilia State University

– Raluca Besliu, contributor of Green European Journal focusing on Eastern European affairs

– Teo Comet, European Greens

Description: Discussing political dynamics and transformation of Eastern Europe cannot take place without paying attention to global powers and their involvement in the region. 
With this session we aim to map global powers: EU – China, Russia and US – and their interests; What role do they play in supporting democracy and progressive agenda or the opposite – encouraging and financing anti-democratic, right-wing and authoritarian forces. 
 
15:30-17:00 War in Ukraine: Context, Present and the Effect on the region (Live Stream)
 
Description: Russian aggression against Ukraine is continuing. Every day we are witnessing atrocities, war crimes and violations of international law from the Russian side, at the same time Ukraine is bravely defending its people, sovereignty, democracy and even Europe as a whole.
In this session, we will take a look at a few different aspects of the conflict: the context of the war, the historical roots of Russian aggression, the current events, as well as what greens should do to help Ukraine, and how the ongoing war affects countries in the region.
 
 
17:30-19:00 Energy – a veto point and/or a chance for democracy? (Live Stream)
 
Speakers:

Manana Kochladze, Bankwatch Strategic Area Leader – Democratization and Human Rights

Yevheniia Zasiadko, Head of climate and transport department at Ecoaction – Centre for Environmental Initiatives
 

Workshop: 

Sandy-Kyriaki Fameliari, ElectaEnergy Cooperative
 
Description: The energy we choose reflects the systems we support. In this session, we will discuss energy as the core factor for sustaining authoritarian regimes and the way the energy sector influences political dynamics. As well as we are going to focus on the possibility of democratisation through energy – decentralisation, renewables and the prospect of energy cooperatives in Eastern Europe. 
 

Day 2, Tuesday, June 7th

10:00-11:30 Eco-Democracy as a new paradigm for Eastern Europe
 
Facilitators:
– Annie Maniadi and Dimitris Papageorgiou, Green Institute of Greece
 
Description: The Workshop aims to add a philosophical, ethical and institutional dimension to the conversations on the Future of Eastern Europe happening at the Conference. It hopes to bring together the different voices and ideas from the wealth of participants and facilitate a meaningful discussion on how to put Ecology at the Centre of Democracy.

How can we make democracy more ecological? What kind of changes do we need to apply to our thinking about participation, institutions and decision-making to put ecology and the environment at the forefront of our political systems?

These are some of the questions that we’ll be asking and trying to answer at our Ecodemocracy Workshop!                                         
 
 
12:00-13:30  Conflicts in Eastern Europe: the theory and beyond
 
DescriptionThe session aims to provide participants with the basis of conflict theory and conflict resolution and analyze the conflicts in EE through case studies.  The session encompasses theoretical and practical parts that will be conducted through non-formal education methods. The objectives of the session are 1)to understand the concept of conflict (origin, causes, consequences), 2) to discuss the mechanisms of handling conflict, particularly, conflict resolution, and 3) to explore the conflicts that happened in EE in recent years, their consequences and current state.
 
 
15:30-17:00 Open Mic
 
 
17:30-19:30 Movements into politics: Green Wave in Eastern Europe (Live Stream)
 
Speakers:

– Justine Pantelejeva, Progresīvie, Latvia

– Sopo Shubitidze, Mtsvaneebi, Georgia 

Predrag Momčilović, Ne davimo Beograd, Serbia

Stefan Vukmanovic, Ura Montenegro

Koray Doğan Urbarlı, Green Party Turkey 

 

Description: For the last decades, if you checked the electoral map of Europe intending to see how Green parties have been performing, you would see a clear pattern: Greens in the west and north do well – they get elected in national and regional parliaments, city councils, win mayorships and even participate in governing coalitions; while in the east – you would see a grey colour representing either absence of Green parties from the political landscape or lack of support and therefore relevance. However, in recent years the pattern is dissolving and becoming a blur, the Green wave spreading to the East.

During the panel, we will discuss the ongoing Green wave with newly established Green political parties across Eastern Europe with the aim to analyse current success, find the patterns and similarities, understand the importance of grassroots movements and civil society, map challenges, envision the future and their influence on the political landscape.

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of CDNEE and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this event.

PDF Version

Call for Local Actions: Mobilising Youth for Participation

Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe is happy to announce the third step of the annual work plan “We are the future, but we are here NOW!”. The call for local actions is an opportunity for the youth organisations or a group of young people that participated in the previous stage of the project to submit the applications consisting of the Local Action Plans and Budget.

The 3rd part of the project, “Mobilising Youth for Participation” aims to give space to youth to reclaim fight for democracy by raising awareness about importance of civic education and youth participation. Local actions will contribute to the objectives of:

  • Engaging young people in shaping democratic decision making processes in their local communities with direct participation of youth in them and promotion of youth inclusion.
  • Creating a network of activists and organisations for future collaboration and transfer of knowledge.
  • Raising visibility of young people and mobilising them for a common cause of ensuring a better future for all youth by giving voice and agency to them.

Continue reading

General Assembly 2022 – Report

Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe held its 13th General Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia/Hybrid 12-13th of March 2022. The GA was planned to happen in live in Tbilisi, Georgia and practice democracy in physical space once again after long COVID-19 years. However, this was not possible anymore due to the Russian invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine. Taking into account instability in the whole region and consequent risks the Executive Committee had decided to move the event to an online/hybrid format.

The General Assembly once again, decided on the direction the Network should take over the next year by adopting the Activity and Financial Plan, electing the new EC and adding amendments to Internal Rules of Procedure, Political Platform and Strategy Statement 2022-24, Safe Space Policy as well as adopted four resolutions.

Apart from the statutory part, we organised a discussion regarding the current situation in Ukraine and listened to the presentation by Yevheniia Zasiadko, former Executive Committee Member of CDN from Ukraine, about dependence on fossil fuels from Russia and the importance of sanctions and embargo, as well as how can we support. Based on the input and discussion the resolution was developed by the Executive Committee, amendments made by the delegates and finally adopted by the General Assembly.

The newly elected Executive Committee consists of Selma Levrence (Protest); Edna Sadikovic (Revolt); Onur Elmas (Young Greens of Turkey); Kateryna Andrieieva (Belarus Young Greens); Lusine Kosakyan (Frontline Youth Network) and Pablo Luīze Pastore (Protest).

Moreover, we are happy to welcome Youth Forum URA as the newest Member Organisation as was approved by the General Assembly.

We want to say a big thank you to all delegates, candidates and guests who contributed to another amazing GA which we leave with big plans and EC motivated to pursue. We should also should express our gratitude to Young Greens of Georgia for fruitful cooperation and support in organising the GA as well as an understanding for the last-minute cancellation.

Here are the documents amendment and/or adopted by the General Assembly:

Statutory:

Internal Rules and Procedures

Political Platform

• Strategy Document 2022-2024

• Activity:

Plan

Report

• Financial

  Plan

  Report

Safe Space Policy

Minutes of the 2021 General Assembly

Resolutions: 

ReClaim The Rainbow

The Future of Work

• Cities for All

Geopolitics of Eastern Europe: In Solidarity with Ukraine and Against Russian Aggression

You can can find the Minutes of the 2022 General Assembly to be adopted by the next GA blow:

Ukraine Needs Support

Almost a month since the full-scale invasion and war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Russia’s regime, under Putin’s rule, is committing serious war crimes in Ukraine by targeting civilian infrastructure, murdering thousands of innocent civilians, destroying nature and cultural objects, and violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

 

From the first day of this war, the world has witnessed Russian armed forces deliberately and brazenly bombing peaceful cities, shelling houses, bomb shelters, kindergartens and schools, hospitals, and ambulances. At the same time, Lukashenko’s regime is Russia’s full accomplice in these war crimes. From Belarus territory and its military bases, many of the shelling of Ukrainian cities are carried out. Belarus continues providing the transit of soldiers, weapons and military equipment from Russia to the Ukrainian borders.

 

The Russian military has been taking hostage local government officials, patients and medical staff, children in boarding schools, as well as entire cities, restricting their supply of food, water and medicine, shutting down communications, gas, electricity and water services. They occupied Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant stations and have been torturing the staff. Due to the temporary Russian occupation, more than a million civilians have been under constant attack and locked up in their communities, unable to receive humanitarian aid or evacuate to a safer place. The Russian side openly violates the agreements on the silent regime for the “green corridors” for the evacuation of civilians and humanitarian aid delivery. In most cases, evacuations are carried out under fire or cancelled, and humanitarian aid is looted by Russian soldiers.

 

Currently, there is a humanitarian catastrophe, when people die in their cities under shelling from a lack of food, water and medical care (for example, in Mariupol, Volnovakha, Izium, Okhtyrka). It is frightening to realise that this is happening in the 21st century in a democratic country.

Despite the threat to their lives, residents of occupied cities are constantly protesting Russian aggression and occupation and express their desire to live in a free country under the Ukrainian flag and government. Thousands of people gather on the streets in Kherson, Melitopol, Berdyansk, Energodar and other cities. The Russian occupiers have repeatedly opened fire on these protests, threatened violence, and kidnapped pro-Ukrainian activists and representatives of the municipalities.

 

The exact number of casualties among the civilians due to the Russian invasion cannot be determined at the moment. The Ukrainian government operates only one officially registered case. However, this statistic does not include data from Mariupol or cities near Kyiv, where no one can pick up corpses from the streets, to say nothing of keeping records and making accurate calculations. For example, many killed by shellings in Mariupol are buried in mass graves in city parks. For obvious reasons, official data is behind reality, so it may seem that the scale of the tragedy of this war is smaller than it really is.

 

Russian army puts the whole world at risk by occupying the Chernobyl inclusion zone and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. They violated all international agreements. The staff has been under psychological pressure and torture, forced to work solely under the command of the Russian military, which poses not only a violation of workers’ rights but an additional wider nuclear safety breach. In addition to the destruction of people’s lives, Russia is also destroying nature and the environment. Millions of hectares of protected natural areas are under threat of extinction. Wild animals die or have to migrate to safer places. Zoos were destroyed in Kharkiv, near Kyiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, some animals ended up in the occupied territories without the possibility of food supply. With each dropped bomb, heavy metals fall on Ukrainian soil, which can also get into groundwater. There are huge industrial plants in Ukraine, the destruction of which will bring an environmental catastrophe to the nearest territories.

 

Despite such gross violations of both international law and basic human rights, we still do not see decisive actions from Western countries targeted at Russia. SWIFT has not been completely turned off for Russia and Belarus yet – for example, it is still used by Sberbank, one of the largest banks in Russia. Europe still buys Russian gas and oil, supporting the war with its taxpayers’ money. Many big international businesses still operate in Russia. This form of maintaining the existing wealth and comfort for Western countries, at the expense of Ukraine and the lives of Ukrainian people, must not be an option.There can be no halfway solutions in the fight against Putin’s imperialist agenda.

 

As the Young Greens of Eastern Europe, we call upon the States and decision-makers to do the following:

 

– Terminate cooperation with the aggressor countries (Russia and Belarus), as well as with companies whose beneficiaries are the government officials and the supporters of these regimes;

– Halt the import of Russian fuel and other natural resources to stop sponsoring Russia’s war against Ukraine and maintaining the stability of the dictatorial regime;

– Impose more severe economic, diplomatic and military sanctions on the aggressor countries, which must remain in force as long as these regimes remain in power;

– Further, provide humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine;

– Provide Ukraine with military support (weapons and equipment) to protect its territory and citizens from Russian military invasion. In particular, air defence systems, as most of the civilian population suffers from artillery shellings and air bombings. We as greens do not condone armings and militarisation, however, due to the particular nature of this conflict, it is apparent that Ukrainian forces require tools to be used for defence against the aggressor, in order to protect the lives of Ukrainian citizens and prevent further mass fatalities; a lack of military support for Ukraine would, in this case, mean indirect endorsing of a de-facto genocide.

– Apply diplomatic pressure on the countries that could provide both economic and military assistance to Russia such as China and India.

– Stipulate disarmament of Russian military forces by reducing, limiting, or abolishing armament (for example, confiscation of Russian warships and aircraft and blocking the transit of Russian military equipment by water, land and air, as well as the ban on the supply of resources for the production of new weapons);

– Prosecute war crimes and violations of IHL under the international criminal tribunals;

– Ensure the protection of civilians through peacekeeping or other missions, providing humanitarian access, and delivering protection specifically to those who are most vulnerable, such as women, children and retired people, as well as providing effective systems of support for the refuges

– Ensure safety and security of IDPs (internally displaced people), refugees, and POWs (prisoners of war);

– Navigate and facilitate negotiations to stop the war and violence based on the truly democratic development of both countries.

 

There would be fewer chances of this war happening if the West would have used similar measures against Putin, his closest circle, and businesses that benefit from this regime earlier. Instead, we saw mostly conservative forces in the West prioritizing the financial gain over an adequate response to violations of the International Law by Russia in 2008 in Georgia and 2014 in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. The sanctions must not be delayed any longer and should not be lifted until there is a regime change in Russia, instead of lifting them as part of a negotiation process with the current authoritarian government.

 

We already see that there is a huge solidarity and self-mobilisation, as well as enormous support provided by different states, communities, and international institutions. Western democracies, especially Poland, have already accepted more than three million refugees. We, as CDN EC, are very proud and inspired by the representatives of CDN Member and Partner organisations and other activists in our network, who also work hard to help Ukrainian refugees, as well as organise and participate in campaigns and demonstrations for solidarity with Ukraine. However, all the help provided, without systemic measures, is still not enough to stop the war, as Ukraine is fighting one of the biggest military powers ruled by a dictator.

 

CDN once again stands for peace and nonviolence and expresses support for the people of Ukraine in their fight for people’s lives, democratic development of their country, and against the fascist regime of Russia.

Glory to Ukraine!

CDN General Assembly 2022 Online

CDN General Assembly 2022 was planned to happen live next weekend in Tbilisi, Georgia and practice democracy in physical space once again after long COVID-19 years.

 

However, this is not possible anymore due to the Russian invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine. Taking into account instability in the whole region and consequent risks the Executive Committee has decided to move the General Assembly & accompanying events in an online/hybrid format.

 

This means the following:
– Feminists in Environmental Movement Training (7th March, for selected local reporters only) – fully online;
– Working Groups Meeting (8-9th March, for WG members only) – fully online;
– Conference on the Future of Eastern Europe (10-11th March) – postponed;
– General Assembly (12-13th March) – hybrid.

 

HYBRID meaning: Only current EC, Secretariat, Presidency and EC Candidates will travel as planned, however, they will be joining us in Belgrade, Serbia. No delegates/observers/representatives/guests will be present live.

 

Once again, we want to express our solidarity with the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom, democracy and life. Our heart goes to our colleagues, activists and Young Greens who have been at the forefront of fighting for social justice, human rights, climate and environmental protection. Now they are under permanent threat and are facing the Russian military.

 

Therefore, besides the regular decision-making about the current and the future of our network, we will also be discussing and reflecting on the ongoing situation, showing support, sharing our perspectives and building solidarity even in an online format.

 

All the relevant calls and forms you can find available on CDN General Assembly 2022 page as well as the CDN GA website.

 

Hoping for peace and to see you soon online!

 

CDN EC & Secretariat