Part III
Poland
Mr. P. Czajkowski - Country Consultant of Milieukontakt
Oost-Europa
Warsaw, 21 November 1995
Historical development
In 1989 and 1990 most of the CEE NGOs were established.
At that time, and for some still, the orientation and expectations
for support were to the West. Everybody was looking to the West
for money, help and support. But at the same time there were so
few CEE NGOs that during international meetings and conferences
the few people from CEE had to cooperate with each other. In this
way East-East cooperation was forced. They had more or less the
same background and common problems. But because of the difference
rates in development there are more differences now among the
CEE countries, the region is absolutely not homogeneous. Previous
East-East cooperation, was ad hoc cooperation. In the future we
should look for more equal cooperation, between East and West
and among CEE.
Just after the collapse of the communistic system
it was a good business to start a NGO, one could have a job, go
to the West for meetings and have 'black market fun', because
of the deprivation in East. The European dream was going on, people
wanted to keep their contacts with the West to themselves, to
make their own lucrative trips.
Trials from Milieukontakt Oost-Europa to establish
East-East cooperation at that time failed. Now it is the right
time to begin them again, and that work should be continued.
East-East cooperation in Poland
The situation in Poland is getting better, there
is a good feeling towards our neighbors, funding from the CEE
itself for the NGOs is beginning. The NGO community should rely
more on their own countries for funding, instead of going to the
West. The Baltics are historically under a Scandinavian umbrella,
but cooperation with Poland is possible as well, although there
are tensions with Lithuania. More funds are needed for establishing
East-East cooperation with Ukraine and Belarussia. Real cooperation
only exists when it is on an equal level. Currently cooperation
is very difficult with the former Soviet republics and with the
West.
East-East cooperation on environmental issues can
be very important on developing a good neighborhood, because environmental
protection is an obvious goal for everybody.
Reasons for East-East cooperation
The main reason for East-East cooperation is to
become independent from the money and information of the West.
To build their own capacity in the NGO community. The help from
the West is also business, they give some money, but keep a lot
more for themselves. Even this little bit of money was, and sometimes
still is, good and necessary. It is still easier to apply for
Western funds, but it won't always be like this in the future.
Because of the common communistic history CEE shares
the background, the starting point of developing a NGO community,
and a civil society. This should be a basis for East-East cooperation.
There's a basis of understanding between neighboring countries,
even though there are problems as well between them. Cooperation
from Western countries, with for example Ukraine, is more difficult
than cooperation of Poland with Ukraine. Polish and Ukrainian
people tend to understand each other's situation better.
Problems / Obstacles
Presently many NGOs have oriented themselves to
East-West cooperation, one example of this is a network for the
Milieukontakt Oost-Europa country consultants, more or less separately
from the office in the Netherlands. To get to know each other
better and to exchange experiences. No reaction came on this attempt,
or they were too busy with other things. The pleasant travels
to the West and the status advantages of East-West cooperation
are still bigger than those of East-East cooperation. Another
historically based problem is the forced cooperation of the past.
That was only cooperation under the facade of the communists,
these sentiments against East-East cooperation are easy to find
in NGOs.
NGOs still lack the capacity for establishing and
maintaining East-East cooperation. Capacity means not only funding
needs, but also that leaders are needed. Under good leadership
East-East cooperation could be established for each NGO, or for
the NGO community as a whole.
Cultural differences plays a role as well. There
is a different tradition, a different development in the past.
Russia is different than Poland. Nations are nations, they will
always have historical consciousness and compete with each other
in certain fields. For example, in the field of economical development,
the position of Poland in CEE is that of the best child in the
class. . Other countries don't like this.
Presently among the Visegrad countries, there is
a run to be the first one to join the European Union. CEE countries
are expecting a lot from EU Membership, so that it has become
the task of priority for each government. NGOs reflect their
government's, they react on what the government is doing, they
follow the hot topics from the government. For now that's joining
the EU.
Necessary features for East-East cooperation
The issues on which the partners are working on
should be border issues or common problems. NGOs need a certain
level of development. Good communication between the cooperating
countries is necessary, so in some cases the bitter historical
feelings between the countries have to be solved. The NGOs are
becoming more mature in CEE now, but still there is a lack of
money and capacity, especially in the former Russian countries.
Leadership for East-East cooperation is still needed.
Promotion and future of East-East cooperation
East-East cooperation is wished for in the future.
It is natural for organizations to start cooperation with neighboring
border countries, as NGOs become better organized and structured,
they have the ability to start East-East cooperation. The era
for going to the West and learning everything like a child that
doesn't know anything is over. It seems that a national wave for
East-East cooperation is coming.
The promotion of East-East cooperation is needed,
but shouldn't be forced. Don't set money aside only for this purpose.
The function of REC and other funding organizations are that of
initiator and server in the process towards East-East cooperation.
It seems to be the right time now, if good leadership and enough
funds are available. Only when there is equal cooperation between
countries is there real East-East cooperation.
REC * PUBLICATIONS * BEYOND BORDERS - SIDE REPORT * POLAND
