While the EuroNGOs Conference is quickly approaching, we are witnessing the need of mobilization and strategizing in response to the opposition to SRHR and sometimes to the entire non-governmental sector. The recent changes in Romania and Hungary are examples of attempts to shrink the space and role of civil society organizations.

At first glance, it may be hard to see a direct link between climate change and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). One may wonder what the warming of the earth has to do with access to contraception, a women’s right to choose whether to sustain a pregnancy, and sexual and gender based violence (SGBV).

The She Decides Manifesto titled “A world where every girl and woman can decide what to do with her body, with her life, and with her future. Without question” is now available. Do you share the values and principles of She Decides?

On 13 June, the European Union finally signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the “Istanbul Convention.”. By doing so, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to end violence against women and girls and sent a strong political message.

On May 7th, Emmanuel Macron was elected President of France after a long and confusing campaign. Macron was still unknown to the general public three years ago. He became Minister of the Economy in 2014, left the government in 2016 in order to start a political movement from scratch, “En Marche”, and became France’s youngest President, beating populist Marine Le Pen in the second round.

Share-Net International has attended EuroNGOs’ annual meetings since 2013 and is now delighted to become an associate member.

In order to show solidarity as well as to discuss and address the challenges posed by the Global Gag Rule in the Global South, EuroNGOs calls for video testimonies which will be shown during our annual conference (September 27-28) in Brussels.

We are very excited to announce that the reception at the 2017 EuroNGOs Conference in Brussels will be held in the evening of 27 September at the Belgian Federal Parliament.

EuroNGOs is now on Facebook. Follows us for the latest updates and news from our members and from the Secretariat!

On 7-8 June 2017, the European Commission brought together over 42.000 participants from 154 countries for the European Development Days in Brussels. EuroNGOs members were actively involved in the forum hosting three different sessions, the summaries of which you can find below.

Alianza por la Solidaridad was present at the EDD, where we introduced our experience on the impact of Gender Based Violence on migrant women in a lab organized by the ISGlobal Institute that centered on women vulnerability along migratory routes.

On the 26th of May, Federacion de Planificacion Familiar Estatal (FPFE) launched in Madrid the Atlas of Contraception in Europe, a study led by the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) with the support of a group of experts on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Spanish doctor and senator José Antonio Rubio, head of the Parliamentary Party Group on Population (APPG), Development and Reproductive Health, visited El Salvador in May under the coordination of the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF), Spanish Federation of Family Planning (FPFE), the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) ) and the Spanish Embassy in El Salvador.

The Population and Sustainability Network (PSN) is organizing a discussion on the importance of considering family planning actions not only as essential for the health and empowerment of girls and women, but also as fundamental for the success of conservation programmes.

Now that the “Reproductive Health Matters” journal is no longer appearing in print, the office has a limited stock of back issues which they would like to distribute in exchange for a contribution to shipping or postage costs.

The tenth anniversary of the first ever Sofia Pride parade took place this year on the 10th of June. For many LGBTQI+ people, both in Bulgaria and abroad, the first Pride-related news to emerge were reports from the opposition.

The Artpolis, Art and Community Center has organized the 5th edition of the FemArt Festival, from 25 to 31 May 2017, with over 40 activities in Prishtina and North Mitrovica, Kosovo. Every year, the FemArt Festival engages over hundreds of women artists and activists from around the world who showcase their creative work through Theater, Film, Documentary Films, Short Films, Exhibition, Performance, Concerts, Lectures, Workshops, Panel Discussions and Presentations on various art forms.

The End FGM European Network is recruiting a Finance & Administration Officer to be employed on a full-time basis in its head office in Brussels, Belgium.

CONCORDE is offering a 6-month traineeship in accountancy.

CONCORDE is looking for a consultant to research and produce a publication (and training materials) on the decision-making processes within the European Institutions, particularly focusing on how CONCORD fits into this picture where development policy is concerned, and how they link to the six-monthly presidency periods.

The purpose of the Senior Programme Manager is to support the effective implementation of the Partnerships for Health and Rights, a regional program funded through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

IPPF Central Office (London) is looking for an experienced and innovative Project Director to lead a global consortium to deliver a substantial, multi country integrated Family Planning and Reproductive Health Programme. The role will support and performance manage global and national partners to achieve project goals and provide technical and programmatic support.

IPPF is recruiting an Advocacy Director, flexible location, salary range in excess of £68,289 per annum plus excellent benefits if based in London. Applicants should e-mail jobs@ippf.org for an application form.

Bridge 47 – Building Global Citizenship is a 3-year project, starting in September 2017, mainly funded by the European Commission.