Appendix D: ESCR-Net Planning Meeting: Summary of Questionnaire Reponses
Based upon participants' responses to the questionnaire, CESR staff created a summary of the needs and functions of the network, which was presented at the meeting.
Several general themes stood out in the responses to the questionnaire distributed to participants prior to the network planning meeting: 1) the network should serve as an information-sharing tool, 2) the network should advance the international profile of ESCR, and 3) the network should provide practical assistance to member organizations.
- Information sharing and access to successful examples of ESCR advocacy emerged as the dominant priority. Respondents suggested several modes of information sharing, including a database of case law, visits between member groups, and a newsletter of ESCR practice.
- Respondents also favored network coordination of international advocacy efforts. They suggested that the network should initiate collaborative efforts at lobbying multilateral bodies, participate in international standard setting, and raise general awareness of ESCR.
- A final priority that emerged was the need for technical assistance to members in institutional development, assistance in treaty-monitoring processes, research of ESCR enforcement mechanisms, and support for local/regional efforts.
Network Goals
Information Sharing
- Collect, compile and disseminate information about and by member groups.
- Maintain database of specific campaigns, projects, case law and best practices.
- Maintain listserve for discussion of ESCR practice and posting of relevant news and events.
- Facilitate links between groups through meetings, workshops and conferences.
- Publish and distribute ESCR newsletter, bulletins, journals and other materials.
International Advocacy
- Initiate and coordinate broad campaigns to enhance and promote ESCR.
- Provide international advocacy support for members’ local and regional projects.
- Facilitate expert interventions with international and regional institutions.
- Establish working groups to advance cutting-edge areas of ESCR practice.
Practical Assistance
- Refer expert consultants to provide practical assistance to member groups.
- Provide practical training to engage multilateral financial organizations.
- Assist in treaty-monitoring and standard-setting processes.
INFORMATION SHARING
Needs
- Successful models of ESCR advocacy to encourage local efforts. **
- Information sharing to promote more strategic and effective ESCR work. **
- Improve quality of domestic ESCR litigation. **
- Exchange shared/different experiences between developed and developing countries. *
- Promote solidarity and links with those facing similar challenges. *
Relevant Function
- Maintain Web-based database of projects, cases and best practices. **
- Facilitate communication and meetings between member groups. **
- Establish Web and e-mail discussion groups and listserves. *
- Prepare and disseminate newsletter, bulletins and other ESCR materials.
- Compile and encourage development of academic and theoretical literature on ESCR practice.
INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY
Needs
- Encourage development of uniform international standards of ESCR enforcement. **
- Strengthen international mechanisms for ESCR enforcement. *
- Provide international support for domestic ESCR campaigns. **
- Facilitate strategic partnerships between members and other organizations. *
- Provide international clout and profile for ESCR.
- Facilitate discussion between ESCR advocates with similar issue focus. *
- Improve institutional and management skills.
Relevant Function
- Facilitate expert interventions at international institutions.
- Promote application of ESCR within domestic courts. *
- Lobby states and international bodies on ESCR obligations. *
- Assist members in treaty-monitoring and standards-setting processes. *
- Engage supervisory bodies at WB, IDB, IFC to protect ESCR.
- Facilitate collaborative initiatives. *
- Establish working groups on particular areas of ESCR advocacy (e.g. women’s ESCR, AIDS)*
- Employ or refer expert consultants to assist member groups
[*mentioned by two or more respondents, **mentioned by four or more respondents]
