Space for civil society should be identified and given formal expression in the Convention. To give effect to this principle, concrete provisions must be established to ensure that the commitment to civil society participation is translated into effective instruments. This right is expressed through access to information, consultation and input into policy-making. The opportunity for participation occurs at various levels and in various areas, which may include negotiation, policy dialogue, regional and national programming, monitoring and impact assessment. Mechanisms for dialogue Dialogue is a prerequisite for participation, transparency and good governance.
Effective dialogue involves a mechanism of consultation.
We call upon all relevant institutions at national, regional and the EU-ACP level to systematically apply and extend best existing practices at national and regional levels that would further enhance this process. There are instances of promising experiences as regards policy dialogue and programming from which lessons should be drawn with a view to replication. We consider it essential to create space for dialogue in all these fora, for which guaranteed flows of information and sharing of agendas are required. Participation works best in an enabling environment which is respectful of and guarantees universally accepted civil and political rights, in particular the freedom of association and expression. At national level, this translates into the provision of the legal basis which guarantees civil society its participatory rights.