By Hugo Swinnen
25-27 September: 50+ delegates from 12 countries, representing 15 national organizations.
A full programme with fascinating talks, exchange of knowledge and experience. We reflected on the past year’s activities and made plans for the future. But above all, there was mutual motivation, encouragement and support to continue with campaigns and lobbying in the interests of future generations.
Here are some first impressions, with thanks to Ilona Hofstra, Sointu Fritze and Martin Knibbe for the pictures. Full reports of our proceedings will follow later.
Talks to inspire
Stientje van Veldhoven, Dutch Minister for Climate and Green Growth: “Make the risks of climate change visible and ensure a fair price.”
The minister spoke at our Annual Meeting about the risks of climate change. “What remains invisible at present is the fair price of products, including the price of common goods (air, water, pollution). “I often leave a blank slide in my PowerPoint presentations to illustrate this,” said Minister Van Veldhoven.
Businesses must take far greater account of the risks they face as a result of climate change. Their products could become unaffordable.
“And do not forget: being optimistic is a moral obligation while striving for a better future”
Focus on Big Finance
Ernst Hobma of the green bank Triodos echoed the minister’s view by stating that the government should exercise greater control over what banks are allowed to finance. The financial world should become again a system that serves society.
Thomas Bollen, investigative journalist (Follow the Money), author of “Geld genoeg, maar niet voor jou” (Money enough, but not for you) presented “the waterworks of money” in order to clarify how big finance operates and how a lot of money is not invested in the real economy any more.
Harry Lehman, member of the Club of Rome and of Omas for future (DE) was with us via internet, talking about “Bankability”: phasing out fossil fuels and investing in a green economy is economically very well possible and profitable.
Looking back and looking ahead
But the annual meeting was not only meant to learn from others. We looked back at our activities during the past year. Being still a young organization, it was a year of strengthening our EGC community and internal functioning. We welcomed new groups from the Czech Republic, Hungary and France. At the same time, we continued improving our Website and Newsletter.
But we also liaise more with others. We became a member of EEB and CAN Europe.
We were very active in reacting on climate related policy making on a European level, but also letting our common voice heard at national levels when the climate was at stake. But our lobbying capacity could be and should be improved.
For the year ahead, we decided to readdress our working groups to reflect our priorities and focus on effective action and visibility as a campaign organization.
On the streets of The Hague
At the end of our meeting, some of us went out on the streets of The Hague to show their presence in front of the Peace Palace.
