Transcript 4th International NGO Forum on the review of the United

Beyond 2008: A global NGO review of the
1998-2008 United Nations General Assembly
Special Session on Illicit Drugs (UNGASS)
AND
As it may inform the European Union (EU)
Plan of Action on Drugs
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Beyond 2008: An Overview

Beginning in 2007, the Vienna NGO Committee led a global
NGO consultation entitled “Beyond 2008” to contribute to the
UNGASS review process.

Beyond 2008 was endorsed by the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime, financially supported by several NGO’s and
UN member states (Canada, Hungary , Italy, Sweden, United
Kingdom) and the European Commission.

Beyond 2008 consisted of:
 regional consultations in all 9 regions of the world & a
representative Forum in July 2008
 A total of over 900 persons representing millions of
members in 145 countries participated in this process.
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Beyond 2008 Forum – Vienna, July 2008

Following the regional consultations, a Global Summary report
was prepared as were a draft Declaration and three Resolutions
for debate at the Forum by the 300 delegates attending from
115 countries

Participants representing a very wide range of ideological
and policy positions adopted a UN style modus operandi
where the Declaration Resolutions were debated line by line in
plenary by all delegates

Following the adoption of common and agreed language, the
Declaration and three Resolutions were unanimously adopted
by consensus – an historic feat never before seen at the global
level and with such a breadth of representation.
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Framing the Beyond 2008 Resolutions:
key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort) on
the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Affected Populations: “Acknowledge the human rights
abuses against people who use drugs as an affected
population and encourage Member States, the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other relevant
organisations to solicit the participation of all affected and
stigmatised populations in identifying and responding to
these human rights abuses, to illicit/harmful drug use and to
its adverse health, social and economic consequences.”
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Framing the Beyond 2008 Resolutions:
key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort) on
the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Illicit/Harmful Drug use:
• “Illicit drug use is use contrary to the UN Conventions;
• harmful drug use is drug use which causes harm to
individuals, families, communities or the environment;
• illicit/harmful drug use is drug use where action is
necessary, including but not limited to prevention or
intervention in the fields of criminal justice, education,
health care, social support, treatment or rehabilitation”
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Framing the Beyond 2008 Resolutions:
key definitions

Historic agreement was reached (after considerable effort) on
the inclusion and definition of key terms including:

Harm reduction: “meaning efforts primarily to address and
prevent the adverse health and social consequences of
illicit/harmful drug use, including reducing HIV and other
blood borne infections”

…related was the affirmation of: “Noting the fundamental
importance of prevention, including those efforts aimed at
alcohol abuse and tobacco use, as important and
complementary efforts to reduce illicit/harmful drug use”
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Beyond 2008 Recommendations &
the High Level Segment (HLS) Declaration

Considerable commonalities are evident between both
documents but some notable gaps remain

Among the commonalities…
 Affected populations should be involved
 Reaffirm adherence to UN Charter and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
 Demand and supply reduction should be seen as
equal priorities
 Ensure adequate supply of essential medicines
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Beyond 2008 Recommendations &
the High Level Segment (HLS) Declaration
Among the gaps
NGO’s called upon CND to:
 develop a common standard against which demand, harm
and supply reduction activities can be measured in terms of
their efficacy and outcomes, including analysis of the
unintended consequences of the drug control system

evaluate its own work and policies and identify ways in which
its effectiveness and impact might be improved...

review consulting mechanisms which have been developed
by other UN entities and establish mechanisms for both ongoing
and recurring civil society participation, including affected and
stigmatized populations, at the CND...
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Key Themes Emanating From Beyond 2008
Relevant to the CND and EU
Shared responsibility and accountability.
Governments, at all levels, need to leverage the experience,
reach, professionalism and passion of NGOs.
NGOs have become more focused, disciplined, inter-connected
and organized around how to take on this global problem.
NGOs are well placed to contribute – but only if their
experience, reach, impact and commitment is engaged.
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Key Themes Emanating From Beyond 2008
Relevant to the CND and EU
Give the most affected a voice.
This is an issue that has to be addressed at the human level.
The Declaration and Resolutions represent many different
voices - individuals, families, and communities - from around
the globe.
This voice needs to be heard because it brings a fundamental
understanding on how to achieve demonstrable progress to
reduce illicit/harmful drug use and its adverse health, social and
economic consequences.
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Key Themes Emanating From Beyond 2008
Relevant to the CND and EU
Beyond 2008 Forum has created a call for action.
The Declaration and Resolutions provide specific and realistic
recommendations – but they are just the start.
It is a commitment by all of the participants to build on what was
achieved in Vienna as they return to their work and engage with
their governments.
It also represents an opportunity for the EU as it moves towards
its new Plan of Action
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HLS Challenges May Present Opportunities
for the EU

HLS preparations disproportionately focused on debating
semantics of the term harm reduction and weakened its
consensus as stated in the closing session
 There is a need for the world to bridge this ideological
schism which is limiting opportunities for engagement and
collaboration

The rhetoric of ‘failed prohibition’ and ‘ the loss of the war on
drugs’ must be clarified as it relates to future actions
 Is this a call to move further from supply to demand
reduction? If so, greater opportunity for clear and sustained
partnerships.
 If it means dismantling the current regulatory framework,
then it is clear a consensus will not be achieved.
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Civil Society and the EU Plan of Action

The EU Plan of Action sets out a positive means of civil
society consultation largely through the EC, the Commissions’
European Alliance on Drugs and through willing individual
member states.

Civil society both within Europe and among the many third
countries, are a key strategic asset to the success of the
Action Plan and can provide unique data, insight and
expertise to address persistent knowledge gaps in policy and
programs effectiveness.

As such, the EU should consider optimizing the participation
of civil society within other EU institutions, as deemed
appropriate, such as the EU Parliament, Horizontal Drugs
Group and EMCDDA .
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Civil Society and the EU Plan of Action

Solutions to drug policy problems are best known by those
closest to them. Civil society often knows best how a EU wide
policy plays out on the ground . Civil society consultation is
important but so too is the need for them to have a more
substantive role in policy, program and practice development.

Clarifying “who should do what, where” is critical to long term
success. Working successfully with civil society requires
common language and defined parameters.

The EU plan of action is a three year window of opportunity,
capable of bridging many policy divides. Civil society is eager
to accept its shared responsibility and work with you.
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Thank you for your attention!
For additional information: www.vngoc.org