Understanding Participation and Public Expression
ASSEDEL recently had the opportunity to participate in a training session led by Gerhard Ermischer, President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe. Drawing on more 25 years of experience within the Council of Europe, Mr. Ermischer offered valuable insights into the relationship between institutions and civil society, the role of conventions, and the importance of inclusive participation in democratic processes.
He emphasised that public expression, especially when loud or emotionally charged, is often misinterpreted as unreasonable. This misunderstanding can discourage meaningful dialogue. For this reason, the Council of Europe created its conventions, in order to empower people, provide them with the tools to understand the issues that affect them, and encourage their ability to express their concerns clearly. Facilitators play a crucial role in helping individuals recognise what truly matters to them and communicate it effectively.
From Frameworks to Action in Council of Europe Conventions
Mr. Ermischer highlighted how, in workshops related to the European Landscape Convention, discussions often centred on how to transform the framework of the Convention into tangible action. Once a country signs a convention, it becomes part of its national legal framework. However, in contrast with the European Union which treats such commitments with great seriousness, the Council of Europe lacks the strength to enforce its texts. Nonetheless, the strength of implementation depends on whether monitoring mechanisms exist. Some conventions contain strong monitoring systems, while others face difficulties in the process of monitoring.
How the Conference of INGOs Operates
He also offered an overview of the Conference of INGOs, which brings together more than 300 international organisations with participatory status. He explained the criteria required to obtain this status, the evaluation procedures that follow, and the ongoing efforts to simplify and improve administrative processes. Participatory NGOs contribute to thematic groups, fact finding missions, and country visits, providing first hand perspectives from the field.
The session also addressed broader challenges facing civil society today. Social media has fragmented public debate, creating linguistic, cultural, social and strongly polarized political bubbles that make communication more difficult. The Conference seeks to counter this by encouraging diverse participation and ensuring that the voices of organisations of different sizes, missions, and backgrounds are included.
Engagement on the Ground and Structural Challenges
Through its visits and exchanges with grassroots organisations, the Conference of INGOs gathers essential insights into local realities. Mr. Ermischer shared examples of NGOs that provide vital services, reveal structural difficulties but in the meantime face misinformation despite their contributions.
He reminded participants that the Council of Europe relies on soft power and moral authority. It cannot force member states to act, yet INGOs hold privileged access to information and can influence working processes through their participation.
Collective Responsibility and the Role of Civil Society
Finally, Mr. Ermischer highlighted that civil society must act more collectively and break out of its own boxes. Cohesion is essential, as attacks on rights in one area ultimately affect everyone. Each organisation tends to focus on its own concerns, but broader solidarity is necessary. If we only defend our own interests, we lose allies and collective strength. Threats to rights in one area eventually affect all others. Collective solidarity is essential, since defending rights requires shared responsibility and cooperation.
ASSEDEL warmly thanks Mr. Ermischer for this insightful and inspiring session, which reinforced the importance of active, informed, and collaborative engagement across civil society.