Begun in 1996, the Forum has become a special opportunity for people from across Poland, working for the common good (most frequently volunteers), to meet, exchange experiences, establish cooperation and present their accomplishments. Although approximately 30,000 are active in Poland, and new ones are continually being established, foundations and associations have no official representation. The Forum provides as excellent opportunity to speak with one voice, jointly develop standards of activity and propose mutually beneficial principles of cooperation to government representatives.
- There are issues which can only be settled together. It is important to us that the representatives of national and local government, business and the media voice their opinions regarding the form and scope of cooperation with non-governmental organizations - Anna Wojakowska from the Forum of Non-Governmental Initiatives (FIP) Association
A conference at Warsaw Technical College opened the Forum. The plenary session focused on the place and role of non-governmental organizations in a civil society. The starting point of the discussion was The Position of the FIP Association Regarding the Situation of the Third Sector Preceding II NFNI. The opinions of Jolanta KwaÑniewska and Leszek Balcerowicz caused the greatest reactions. Leaders of organizations, parliamentarians, journalists, businessmen and scientists also presented their views.
Workshop discussions included the role of non-governmental organizations in the process of European integration, cooperation between non-governmental organizations and the public administration, relations with the media, the creation of favorable conditions for the development of philanthropy and problems concerning the federalization of non-governmental organizations.
The Forum provided an opportunity to present, among others, local foundations, loans and credits for non-governmental organizations, and grant programs for non-governmental organizations. There was also information on training for non-governmental organizations, modern technologies used in non-governmental organizations, and a statistical picture of the third sector. Information was distributed for the “Benefactor of the Year” competition, as was as legal and accounting advice. Representatives of organizations engaged in social welfare and health, education, culture and art, ecology and regional development also had an occasion to meet, and NGOs from 16 different regions exhibited their annual reports and activities.
The second day of the forum was less official and included a festival called “Discover the New World.” The festival began early in the morning, and more than 20 thousand people visited the exhibition booths. For many of participants, the festival was their first opportunity to learn about the various activities of the foundations and associations. There was also street theater, happenings, auctions and concerts by VooVoo; Raz, Dwa, Trzy; Mamadou and Kinior Band.
The unexpected visit of Premier Jerzy Buzek, together with his wife, was a pleasant surprise for the non-governmental organizations and festival participants. Mr. Buzek, the Honorary Patron of the II National Forum of Non-Governmental Initiatives, visited the organizations’ booths and gave a short speech on the main stage.