EN-Fitram

A. A Real Progress

We did obtain a participative status together with a set of rules for the organizations taking part in the process of decision making, endorsed by the parliamentary assembly and the local and national authorities.

I. Main line

The Committee (Board ?) of Ministers (Foreign Office Ministers : decision making organism) acknowledges the great share of the OING towards democracy and the human rights These rules make it possible for the OING to take part in the process of decision and for the civil society to be involved in the development of local as well as national public policies.

As Mussa Daf, president of the “French-speaking conference” said: the OING must adapt the problems which are discussed on to reality.
The president of the parliamentary assembly expressed it in better words:

The OING gather the opinions of their members, of citizens, of consumers. This gives legitimacy to the decisions taken on the long term.

II. Methods of participation

1. Active action

Raise questions, fight for a particular point not yet being legislated on.

2. Evaluation

of the applications of political decisions

The states, members of the E.C. must give an annual report of the implementation of the decisions taken in the “social charter”. I can and I must send your observations about that.

It is useless for each of you to know the exact terms of this charter as we do analyze and interpret the texts. Let us just know whatever seems to you undemocratic or against the human rights.

3. Information and sensibilization (?)

Top to bottom and vice-versa

4. Expertise

European Council grants to FITRAM the quality of expert in its own subject.

But how put that into practice? Our colleague in Moscow wants me to take part in order to find out how to apply this status of expert.

5. Innovation

What about the animals? Difficult but we’ll manage “step by step”

6. Services

Other solutions are at hand and do work;

III. Responsibility of the public powers towards the OING

Information sharing, putting into shape clear participative and decision processes, means supplying (subventions or administrative assistance).
This should be evidence, but still it is not. Up to now, the OING were somehow forgotten but now their advice is compulsory and they see ministers, members of parliaments come to their meetings and getting more and more involved.

A recent example: the family, health and prevention commission asked us to give examples of good practices, the FITRAM was able to give 10, from different countries. This will help to make people know us.

We try to be very active. Among us, let’s quote Robert Kohler, representing “handi-chiens”: as a manager of an old people nursing home, he stands up for the work of dogs with elderly people as well as for the rights of animals (thesis) ; Iwona Cichalewska, a polish physiotherapist with horses, our link with Poland which is a very active country in this subject ; Martine Roegel, public health department doctor, acting with the FFE (French Equestrian Federation) regarding work with handicapped people and horses.

B. A step backward!

In France, the mission “rights of the Children” has been suppressed by the French government and that just when the “BICE” wants the European states to include the Children rights into the Human rights charter.

C. Steps forward by FITRAM

How can the E.C. get concerned about animals? We have already tried with a “handi-dog” wearing a yellow harness and got no negative answers from the ushers. What about horses?

Here are 2 concrete propositions for next year:

1. Make the action of animals with handicapped children better known.

   I was asked for more detailed information regarding our actions by a OING president for school teaching. She also wants to get in touch with the involved associations. Give us ideas, suggestions;

2. Participate in a demonstration for the survival of the Ardennais horse.

   Strasbourg Mayor has agreed to let those huge animals on the lawn of the Orangerie Park in front of the E.C. end of next April. Though it’s impossible to have handicapped children riding those horses, we must think of other ideas.

As you have surely understood, to go ahead we do need you, your ideas, and your testimonies. Thanks to the 10 associations which sent us good examples of good practices.

Look at www.coe.int for further details…