What is BER?

Internal networking - external lobbying

Berliner entwicklungspolitischer Ratschlag e.V. (BER) is a network organisation consisting of initiatives, registered associations, and groups, who work on issues concerning development co-operation in Berlin. The major tasks of BER are to provide co-ordination between members and to serve as a central lobby group towards external bodies. BER was established in 1996 when, facing massive cuts in Berlin´s budget, the organisations working on issues of development co-operation joined together as a working-group to support their interests collaboratively. Since 1998 the network has been a registered association.

Regular network meetings

Network meetings take place regularly on the first Wednesday of each month from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte, Greifswalderstr. 4. These meetings are open to all member organisations and interested individuals. (There may be exceptions during holidays so please check the dates). The majority of the more than 70 member organisations are small NGOs working on the following issues:

• development co-operation in the South (Africa, Asia and Latin America)
• partnership projects between North and South (e.g. partnerships between towns and schools etc.)
• one world shops selling fair trade products
• education on issues of development co-operation in Berlin
• awareness raising and education in Berlin's neighbourhoods
• projects linking the environment and development
• communal projects concerning Agenda 21
• migration and integration
• human, economic, social and cultural rights

These numerous organisations form an important part of civil society´s commitment to development co-operation in Berlin. A large part of this work is carried out on a voluntary basis. The organisations - for the most part small ones - have a high degree of competence concerning their field, with many years of experience in North-South contexts and democratic decision-making processes.

However, there is often a lack of structures, financial means and opportunities to influence decision-makers as well as to network on a national level. Therefore, the main purpose of BER is to support the work process of its member organisations and groups. Our other objectives are to be a combined voice to the outside world and to support a just, democratic and peaceful One World. The principle activities of BER are:

• to lobby political departments, administrations, local authorities, the business community and the church on the subject of development co-operation
• to aim towards continuous support of the work in foreign development at home
• to initiate discussions, debates, campaigns and projects
• to support the development of our member organisations
• to establish contacts with scientific and other institutions