Minutes of the meeting of the Committee of Senior Representatives (CSR) on April 2005 in Vilnius, Lithuania

Transcription

1 1 August 22, 2005 DRAFT CSR 6/3/1 CSR meeting in Helsinki, 4-5 October, Agenda item 3 Minutes of the meeting of the Committee of Senior Representatives (CSR) on April 2005 in Vilnius, Lithuania The CSR met in Vilnius, Lithuania, on April Mr. Carl Älfvåg, Director, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Sweden, chaired the meeting. The agenda and list of participants are appended (Apps. 1-2). 1. Opening of the meeting The Chairman opened the meeting. Ms. Romalda Baranauskiene, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of Lithuania, greeted the participants welcome and underlined the importance of the Northern Dimension as a tool for cooperation for the development of society. The Chairman welcomed Mr. Pavel Semenov, a new member of the Secretariat, employed in the St. Petersburg Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers and seconded by the Council, participating for the first time. 2. Adoption of Agenda The Agenda was adopted. 3. Adoption of the minutes from Tallinn CSR meeting on 13 December 2004 The minutes were adopted. Denmark inquired whether changes in the revised draft minutes of CSR meetings could be indicated in future to make it easier to compare with the first draft. 4. Reports/exchange of information The Secretariat presented its written report to the CSR, underlining the need for help and support of the whole CSR in order to make progress. At a meeting in Brussels representatives of the EU Commission had emphasized the importance of Partners to increase their political

2 2 commitment for the Partnership in order for the Commission to be able to give stronger support for the Partnership. Finland briefed of ongoing discussions concerning the future of the Northern Dimension policies, the present Action Plan expiring in the autumn of Among other things, full support was to be given to the existing Partnerships in future. In a small discussion following the previous information, Germany pointed at the need for a separate budget line for the Partnership, and also for more visibility to the Partnership. Sweden supported the procedure reported by Finland and underlined the necessity to continue improving Russia s engagement. He also expressed Sweden s willingness to positively study a proposal concerning a budget line for the Partnership. Finland, on behalf of the Chairs of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council Working Group on Health and Related Social Issues, reported on the progress in the Working Group. An HIV/AIDS programme had been adopted and could constitute a regional input to the Partnership. A Steering Committee was about to start its work. For the future, the Working Group had also discussed a children s welfare programme, with references to the CBSS Working Group on Children at Risk and the Partnership. The Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) reported that the Nordic School of Public Health now had proceeded on a co-operation with Tromsø University and the North State University in Arkhangelsk. The idea was to establish a North West Russian Institute of Public Health. Furthermore, the NCM was planning a Seminar on narcotic drugs in St. Petersburg in June, to be followed up by practical projects. Within the framework of the Nordic plan of Social Wellbeing a new round of applications would be held within the near future, with a deadline on 1 August. A list would be presented on the present projects. A pilot project concerning children with disabilities and their families was going to be launched, in cooperation with Norway and the Council of Europe. Russia reported on its progress in finding ways to contribute to the Partnership and expressed great satisfaction with the visit to the Ministry of Health and Social Development by the Head of Secretariat. The discussions had also helped the Russian government to come to a conclusion as regards the coordination and financing mechanism. Russia underlined the importance of a Voluntary Fund. Next year Russia would be ready to pay its share to the Partnership budget. Russia offered to organise an international conference concerning alcohol in the autumn. Russia said that it looked positively towards the Partnership database connection to their databases and underlined that the Partnership priorities were quite in line with Russian national priorities. WHO reported that WHO and WHO Euro in Moscow were planning to sign a collaboration agreement concerning HIV/AIDS for three years. The Global Fund was very fast scaling up its activities. With support from Sweden, the WHO was also working against TB in Kaliningrad. A programme on lifestyles, on alcohol and youth, was about to be elaborated this year and could be developed to an activity under the Partnership. Discussions were being held with Canada on a co-operation on indigenous people and alcohol related issues. As regards the question of a side office a discussion was going on concerning how far the WHO should give priority to the North Western Part of Russia. Attention was drawn to the need to act by those who wanted a side office.

3 3 The Chairman informed about the Chair s work on authorisation of legal capacity to the Secretariat in order to be able to function in the Swedish society and the process to achieve this. Within a short time the Chair would send to Partners draft Terms of Reference for the Secretariat (a first draft was distributed during the meeting). After the Terms of Reference had been adopted by CSR through silent procedure, a letter would be sent by the Swedish Minister of Public Health and Social Services to the corresponding Ministers of the Partner countries asking for confirmation within a certain date of the establishment of the secretariat. The draft Terms of Reference of the Secretariat would be enclosed. 5. Co-ordinating and Financing Mechanism/Voluntary Fund The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group on a Voluntary Fund, Mr. Christer Persson, Sweden, reported from the meeting of the Group, preceding the CSR. The Ad Hoc Working Group had now reached an agreement concerning the establishment of a mechanism. Subsequently, after submitting the proposal to, and after endorsement by, the CSR, the work to elaborate practical details could be initiated. Furthermore, it had been agreed to recommend to the CSR that the Ad Hoc Working Group, having completed its mandate, be dissolved. The group would, however, stand ready to be reconvened at any time after a decision on the necessity to do so by the CSR. The CSR decided to establish a Co-ordinating and Financing Mechanism, in accordance with the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Working Group, on the understanding that the appropriations account was meant for projects of a smaller calibre, such as operative money to fulfil goals set up by CSR and on the understanding that decisions on grants from the Voluntary Fund/appropriations account will be taken by the CSR Chair in co-operation with the Head of the Partnership Secretariat. Furthermore, the CSR decided to dissolve the Ad Hoc Working Group on a Voluntary Fund, with the reservation that it may be convened if and when necessary. The Chairman thanked the Ad Hoc Working Group for its work. The text as adopted is appended (App. 3) 6 a) Website and database The Secretariat reported on the basis of a written report that had been sent to Partners beforehand. An application to the EU Commission Public Health Programme for the establishment of the database had gained broad support, by almost all EU/EEA Partner Countries contributing as Associated Partners in the application, and others had expressed other kind of support. The Chairman thanked the Secretariat, underlining its instrumental role in gathering Partners in support of the application. Denmark reminded of the fact that a possible contribution from the programme would only support the establishment of a database. Denmark asked whether it could be confirmed that

4 4 the daily running of the database will be kept within existing resources and the staff of the Secretariat. The Secretariat explained that the technology to be used ( finger-printing ) would reduce the need for manual work. However, the size of necessary resources still needed to be discussed. A database was so instrumental to the Partnership s function, that it could be argued that the operation of it in future would constitute the main role of the Secretariat. A Secretariat of the present size could probably manage to handle the database, but then with smaller resources for today s tasks. The balance would have to be discussed when the database is operative, including the options to increase staff or change it into a more database specialized composition. Denmark asked this reply to be reflected in the minutes. 6 b) Information guidelines The CSR held a first discussion concerning information guidelines. It was agreed that there was a need for an information strategy, not least for raising the visibility of the Partnership. The following ideas were shared: the Partnership could use the experience of the CBSS in this field, the Northern Dimension should be more visible in the logo, there is a need to elaborate a message, use the Declaration as inspiration, reference should be made to the problems behind the establishment of the Partnership, Partners could use their own professional information staff to assist. The Chairman concluded that the work should continue, using the CBSS information strategy as a model, and changes for the logo would be explored. Interested Partners would be invited to communicate to the Secretariat the names of their professional staff in the field of information in order to help formulating the message of the Partnership and to give other advice. 7. Expert Groups and Networks Mandates for the Expert Groups on HIV/AIDS, Prison Health and Primary Health Care The Chairmen of the Expert Groups presented their proposals for mandates (Pauli Leinikki on behalf of the HIV/AIDS group, Anders Nystedt on behalf of the Prison Health group and Ali Arsalo of the Primary Health Care group). The Chairman of the HIV/AIDS group pointed out that all groups should cooperate with Baltic Health TraiN. The Chairman of the Prison Health group underlined the need for secure financing in order for activities to start. The Chairman of the Primary Health group proposed a possibility to have more than one representative from each Partner, as Russia might need to be represented both at federal and regional levels. Furthermore, Chair and Co-chair should be officially nominated, and all representatives should be officially nominated from their country or organisation. An International Technical Adviser (ITA) would be instrumental for the results.

5 5 Finland reported that Finland had decided to finance a half time position for an ITA of the HIV/AIDS group (and to finance the other half position for an ITA/Project Coordinator of the Barents HIV/AIDS Programme), which was highly appreciated by the Committee. Russia pointed at the possibility to disseminate good projects to other regions and proposed that the Expert Groups should elaborate pilot projects, which could then be disseminated. UNAIDS probed into the possibility of engaging the expert groups in responding to requests for technical assistance from the Partners. Responding to a comment by the Chair of HIV/AIDS expert group that this kind of engagement would require additional funding, UNAIDS gave an example of its recent assistance to the Ministry of Social Affairs in Estonia when UNAIDS had contracted three external experts to help with the development of a new national AIDS strategy. In principle, UNAIDS could have contracted members of the expert groups instead if they had relevant expertise. Estonia considered that the mandate of the HIV/AIDS group differed from the others as regards the output and proposed the following amendment, to be added into the expected outputs of the HIV/AIDS expert group mandate: Sharing national strategies, programs and corresponding reports and making them available to all parties, Starting the comparison of different indicators that are in use in HIV/AIDS surveillance in partner countries, seeking the possibility to develop regional indicator system. The first proposal met with approval by the CSR. However, the second bullet was considered to be more complicated, as this risked to collide with the work of different organisations. Finally it was agreed that the mandate should be left unchanged and that the Estonian text should be given to the HIV/AIDS group to discuss if and how to implement it. The mandates of the Expert Groups on Primary Health Care, HIV/AIDS and Prison Health were adopted as proposed. A further question related to the mandates and guidelines for the Expert Groups were brought up by Latvia and Estonia. One question concerned the suitability of time limiting the mandates of the Expert Groups, as these countries were studying the possibility to transform the expert groups into projects financed through the EEA financial mechanism. It was agreed that a three years time frame would be reasonable in view of this. It was also agreed, on a question of Estonia, that it would not be necessary for e.g. Estonia to chair such a group, even if such a project would be Estonian. The link to the Secretariat would be to facilitate the work of the Expert Groups if needed. The Chairman reminded the Committee of the Declaration s Section 5.3, stating that the Expert Groups were to organise their own work, within their mandates as given by the CSR. Non-communicable diseases and promotion of health and socially rewarding lifestyles In support of the Chair s proposal WHO underlined the importance of increased co-operation in the field of lifestyles. This was an interesting area where Partners could collaborate on very

6 6 equal grounds. In this field all countries had similar problems and were looking for solutions. Furthermore, not much had yet been done by international actors in this area. WHO Euro was willing to assist and contribute to the work. This was also an area of priority for WHO. Russia underlined the importance on increased co-operation in the field of alcohol and informed that it will take active part in the arrangements of a Conference on Alcohol in Moscow. The CSR decided to set up an expert group in the field of non-communicable diseases and promotion of socially rewarding lifestyles focusing on the three areas recommended by the side event in Tallinn (reduction of binge drinking and other harmful drinking habits, risk reduction in adolescent lifestyle, workplace health and safety); invited the group to propose a mandate for adoption of the CSR at a coming meeting; asked the Secretariat to invite Partners to appoint members of the Expert Group; invited Partners to consider assuming the responsibility for the Expert Group and to assist in financing when necessary; asked the Secretariat to continue preparations for a meeting in Moscow along the lines of the description above, following up the side event in Tallinn. Partners were invited to assist in financing and/or organizing the meeting. Proposal to invite an existing working group and a network to function as expert groups to the Partnership With reference to section 5.3 of the Oslo Declaration, stating the possibility, in case a relevant expert group or network already exists in the Northern Dimension area, the CSR may invite that group or network to function also as an expert group under the Partnership, in accordance with its original mandate and the objectives of the Partnership, the CSR agreed to invite the following bodies: The Working Group for Co-operation on Children at Risk (WGCC) of the Council of Baltic Sea States The Baltic Sea Network on Occupational Health and Safety (BSN) Trafficking in Human Beings in the Northern Dimension Region Denmark, in its capacity as Chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers, reported about a meeting on trafficking in human beings on June 16, 2005, in Copenhagen, to which all relevant chairpersons of regional task forces/networks/working groups as well as the Partnership Secretariat would be invited. The aim would be to establish cooperation and communication facilities under the auspices of the Partnership. 8. Action Plan for the Partnership The Chairman underlined the developing character of an Action Plan mentioning that the plan would never be finalised but changed in accordance with developments. The Secretariat introduced the draft Action Plan explaining that the draft had been developed on the basis of the work programme for The expert groups had contributed as well as Partners, above

7 7 all the Ministry of Health and Social Development at Federal level and the local Health Committee in St. Petersburg. Partners were invited to consider their interest to financially support some of the proposals, for example a new journal concerning social matters. The role of the Partnership would be to act as a bridge between actors. In some cases the Partnership might need to start a project, later to be transferred to an important actor. In the discussion on the Russian proposals it was proposed to try to integrate Russia into some of the very well functioning networks that already existed. Furthermore, a reference was made to an old HIV-project concerning narcotic drugs; to promote the creation of drug prevention centres. The WHO underlined the need to avoid creating parallel structures. WHO would be happy to co-ordinate in areas where co-operation already exists between WHO and Russia. Also Russia underlined the need to avoid duplication. Russia and WHO Moscow/Euro would have further discussions as regards this. Finland reminded the CSR that the Partnership had so far not worked on narcotic drugs. In view of the Finnish EU Presidency (autumn of 2006) a large drug conference was being planned covering all aspects such as police, health, social aspects. Its aim would be to promote a constructive dialogue on drug treatment. Not only EU countries would be invited, but also Russia and other neighbouring countries. The Partnership would play an important role for preparing the Conference. Based on the discussion the Chair, Co-chair and Secretariat would continue working to develop the Action Programme. 9. Preliminary budget for the Secretariat and costs for Partners for 2006 The Chairman explained that this Agenda item aimed at informing those Partners who needed to feed the fee for next year into their national budget processes at an early stage. The information was preliminary and a decision would be taken later. Finland and Norway proposed that next year s budget should, in addition, include a Senior Adviser in the jointly shared budget. It was agreed that a revised budget should be circulated to Partners as soon as possible. The Chairman explained that the intention was to circulate a revised budget, or additional proposal. Two different proposals would be fed into national processes. France explained that it would be too late to feed a revised budget into the French national process. 10. Preliminary planning for next PAC The level of the meeting was set to Ministerial level, not least as a new Chair and Co-chair will be elected, and as it is the second year after the establishment of the Partnership.

8 8 Place: at the invitation of the Swedish Minister at PAC the location will be in Stockholm. The date was set to Friday, 18 November (impossible to change due to logistical reasons). As an interest was shown for side events, it was agreed to make such arrangements on 17 November. 11. Meetings of the CSR during 2005 The following meetings were agreed: One meeting of CSR in Moscow in September at the invitation of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, in conjunction with a meeting of the new expert group and one on alcohol abuse One meeting on November 17 in Stockholm, in order to prepare the PAC 12. Any other business The Chair had offered to reply to questions concerning the procedure of authorising legal capacity to the Secretariat. No questions were asked. 13. Closing of the meeting Thanking the Lithuanian hosts for their excellent organisation of the meeting and their warm and generous reception the Chairman closed the meeting.