On the 4th and 5th of October, representatives of Countdown 2015 Europe partners of Finland (Väestöliitto), Sweden (RFSU), Denmark (DFPA) and Norway (Sex og Politikk) met Nordic SRHR NGOs and Nordic civil servants working on development cooperation. The meeting, that took place in Finland, had the objectives to establish how the Nordic governments and civil society organizations (CSO) could work together to secure SRHR in the existing development arena and aid architecture and how to the gap of policy and practice in advancing SRHR could be bridged.
The planned topics discussed in the meeting were: the Oslo expert meeting outcomes and their implementation (see below); analysis of the difficulties faced in getting SRHR secured in the global development agenda; challenges and opportunities of moving from fine SRHR policies and principles to concrete results on the ground; MDG Summit Outcome document’s meaning for Nordic development aid; the position of new innovative funding mechanisms in the Nordic development cooperation; ways and best practices for the Nordics to work together on various levels (among civil servants, among civil servants and civil society etc.) to advance global FP/RH.
This meeting was a think-tank-like event providing a comfortable and inspiring setting for the civil servants and civil society representatives to brainstorm without the expectation of binding commitments. It was mutually agreed on how to jointly work along the ideas and/or recommendations that came out from the sessions. Furthermore, 2 guest speakers (Ms. Sara Seims, Senior Advisor on Population and Reproductive health from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and Ms. Birte Holm Sorensen, Consultant) presented a Funding mechanism to strengthen and sustain SRHR CSO’s work. It was discussed and in general it was seen as good. However, it was argued to what extent would such a mechanism make extra funding available.
The Nordic governments have a unique position and an added value in focusing their policies, political commitment and weight in support for SRHR and gender equality. There has also been significant expectations raised in this regard and it is important that the Nordic support for SRHR and gender equality is sustained.
A Nordic expert meeting on a Joint SRHR and Gender Equality Agenda took already place in Oslo 12-13 November 2009. It reconfirmed the ICPD Plan of Action and Beijing Platform for Action and produced a set of recommendations for the Nordic governments to accelerate progress in SRHR and gender equality. These comprehensive and progressive recommendations were to be presented to politicians and key decision makers in the Nordic countries, as well as to civil society advocates for consideration, action and implementation.
