by Gunnar Boye Olesen, OVE

A worldwide collaboration of NGOs working for a sustainable energy development is now under way. A network is planned to be formed at June, 4, 1992.

When the leaders of the world are gathered to discuss environment and development i Rio de Janeiro, there will also be room for discussions among independent organizations about how we, the NGOs, can strengthen our work for a sustainable development. For those of us working with energy, it is obvious that one of the drawbacks is the lack of an international network working for a sustainable energy development. In a number of countries, there are independent nation-wide organizations working for a sustainable energy development, in Europe there is even a regional network European Federation for Renewable Energy. But a worldwide energy NGO network Is lacking. Thus, there Is only little pressure on UN and other international organizations to follow a sustainable development when dealing with energy questions.

One of the occasions to discuss an NGO energy network is the workshop on sustainable energy development organized by OVE and others as a parallel activity to UNCED at June, 4 in Rio de Janeiro. As the activities around UNCED involve more NGO- representatives from ail continents than ever before, it is a unique possibility to discuss worldwide collaboration and formation of a network. The following proposal will be the basis for discussion about the network at the workshop.

Proposal for a network

The basis of the network could be an agreement about a common platform. As the NGO energy strategy "Sustainabie energy collaboration, - towards a world strategy" is now supported by more than 50 organizations, this strategy could be a natural initial platform for the network. This strategy have to be followed by regional strategies, as a worldwide strategy can not deal with regional problems with the necessary details.

As the member-organizations of the network have very different economical situations, it will be preferable ifthe network does not have a membership fee, but rely totally on voluntary contributions. The core expenses of the network have to be kept at a minimum, not to make the network dependent of larger contributions or external funding. More expensive activities can be made as projects with external funding/sponsors.

Specific tasks of the network should include:

• Exchange of experiences and networking among NGOs.

• Public education and awareness creation.

• Establishment and support of focal points that will lobby national governments, international bodies, and donor agencies.

• Implementation of a mechanism for soliciting and channeling support to grassroots, local, national, regional and international NGOs.

• Liaising with concerned multilateral agencies such as UNCED and the proposed Renewable Energy and Efficiency Agency and with NGOs as International Solar Energy Society.

• Formulating and supporting the implementation of a global sustainable energy strategy based on local, national and regional energy strategies.

Organization

The network should have a simple core organization, and the possibility to run projects. The core-organizatlon could be:

• two coordinators from each world region;

• regional assemblies, that elect the coordinators

• a secretariat;

• a newsletter;

• contact-points close to all international bodies, that the network will collaborate with.

As projects, the network can make seminars, strategies, research, implement support of NGOs as well as many other activities. Out of the 56 organizations supporting the NGO energy strategy, more than 35 are interested In joining an NGO energy network. Thus there is a broad basis from the beginning for such an initiative.