The Citizens’ Union PAREMVASSI is a non-profit, non-party citizens’ association, founded in 1995. It is among the NGOs with the longest history in Greece having focused for the past 10 years its research and activities on citizens’ rights. Since 1999 it publishes the quarterly review “Civil Society” (Koinonia Politon), whose electronic version since 2004 is sent every week to 880 PAREMVASSI members/friends and periodically to other 3000“Digital Friends”. PAREMVASSI is based in Athens with branches in Thesssaloniki and London and is a member of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO).
Its main objective, as specified in its constitution, is the promotion of civil society in Greece, within the framework of the country’s European modernization and the promotion of the public interest. The central aim of the Union is the “empowered citizen” in a progressive knowledge society for all. Since 1999 the Citizens’ Union PAREMVASSI has acquired the characteristics of a citizens’ online think tank combined with activist intervention through the Internet. One of the main issues it has put forward is the promotion of a new Governance model at a national as well as at a European level, which will guarantee a more balanced relationship between the state, the market and the citizens.
Its activities are grouped along the following lines:
Ø The promotion and acknowledgement of the roles of civil society and regulatory authorities across all national and European institutions
Ø The independent mobilization of citizens either through NGO initiatives in all sectors of public policy or through e-democracy initiatives which will involve all forms of e-participation in the development of government policies.
Ø The full-scale implementation of E-Government, which will involve the organizational and functional reform of the state.
Ø The promotion of Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) and the civic entrepreneurship.
PAREMVASSI’s main public activities (1997-2005):
Ø Promotion of the institution of the Ombudsman in Greece – a crucial institution for Civil Society – through press releases/announcements, articles and public events.
Ø Publication of the magazine “Koinonia Politon” (Civil Society). First issue: January 1999. 11th issue: Winter 2005.
Ø Maintenance of the Union’s web site: www.paremvassi.graccessed by 1200-1600 unique visitors per month or over 40.000 cumulatively since 1999.
Ø Maintenance of an online forum for the promotion of public debate and participation
Ø Dissemination of announcements/press releases and comments concerning the country's major problems and current issues which appear regularly in the press and the electronic media.
Ø Collection of financial aid for civilians in Iraq
Ø Public event: “Civil society and politicians towards the year 2000” 30-1-97.
Ø Public discussion on “The separation of the Church from the State”. 25-2-98.
Ø Open public event in collaboration with the Greek state radio (ERA) “The constitution and the citizen”. 23-7-98.
Ø Public discussion “Modernization strategy after joining the EMU”. 3-10-01
