Post-Covid Post - What happens next?

Today, Natalie, co-founder of The NO Collective was invited to speak in an international conference facilitated by The Council on State Support to NGO's under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CSSN). The conference,  "Coronavirus Solidarity, International Experience" was attended by over 120 participants which represented NGO's across post soviet countries and invited political guests. 

Guest Speakers included Professor Ilyas Topsakal on behalf of Istanbul University, Yekaterina Alekseeva, a member of the Russian Federations Civic Chamber, Jedrzej Chodzinski, a member of Krakow City Council, Ajna Dizdarevic from the EU's youth parliament and other key members of society from 10 different countries. 

The conversation, led by CSSN's Nargiz Khalaf ranged from mutual problems in civil society caused by the pandemic, singular problems associated with the speed of infection within individual countries and optimistic happenings of international cooperation and community initiatives. 

Natalie spoke generally about the situation of lockdown in the UK (32,000 deaths), the current economic situation ( - 2% GDP) and how the local community in Romford is coming together to ensure the worst effected members of society are looked after. She also gave an overview of the situation of arts and culture in Europe and how government funding does not necessarily cater for freelancers and event workers (anywhere in Europe!) and the ways The NO Collective are trying to adapt to provide more paid opportunities for artists during this time. 

There was an overwhelming consensus by the end of the conference that the voluntary sector has been a lynchpin of supporting the most vulnerable during this time across all countries and that individuals desire to help in a crisis is our grounding similarity as a global community. There was also a joint fear for lesser robust economies survival post- Covid-19 and also how we continue towards normality without a cure for the virus. Unprecedented situations have also occurred, for the good, with a new community spirit being built in that we are 'all in this together', a wave of elevating gender roles for a more equal family unit and the reduced pollution across cities - however this also comes with the flip-side of deteriorating mental health within lockdowns and increased rates of domestic violence. 

There are no answers at this time for our international community of how we will adapt together, we are still not sure in our own national situations of how things will change; but rest assured we all have a joined agenda to work to the future together. Communicate more regularly, plan initiatives together and protect our civil societies where we can. 

At the closure of the meeting it was decided that a mandate would be signed by the contributing speakers on behalf of their NGO's to  be sent to the World Health Organisation. A pledge to do what we can to reduce the damage that the pandemic has and continues to cause - and to seize the opportunities that this time away from our busy lives has given us.