Kees Biekart – International institute of social studies, Erasmus University
4 reasons we need to rethink the role and discourse around Civil soc
1) We have exported the idea of civsoc from a western ( European )pov which denies regional context.
2) Civil society is always seen as positive and good – but there are darker elements which cannot be ignored
3) Civil society is not a singular entity but is often refered to as having a position on things. Disagreement and conflict is essesntial
4) Political action is changing very rapidly. New forms of virtual collective action which contribute to new social fabrics.
The relevant and interesting things are often where civil society and other elements of society overlap. The potential for change is present everywhere, not particularly in civil soc. Why would individual citizens take the risk? Civic means persuing common interest.
We assume that this change is driven by civic energy, but we aren’t sure where it is, but it is present in all areas, not just civic society. What is driving this civic energy?
A lense at looking at the same process with a different viewpoint. Civic agency is not only located within civil society, but is likely to be more active in the “overflow” areas between sectors.
http://www.iss.nl/content/download/16063/153978/version/1/file/CDC+pamphlet.pdf
also essays 1 and 6 (gendered division of opportunities for and risks of civic agency) http://www.iss.nl/Portals/Civic-Driven-Change-Initiative/Summaries-of-essays
Rose de Lima Ramanakavana – International Associations of Charities (AIC Madagascar)
Rose detailed lessons learned her local work as well as the international network of AIC, a network of 42 associations, with more than 250,000 members, all committed to carry out, in a way adapted to our times, the fundamental plan of St. Vincent de Paul, their Founder "Against all forms of poverty, acting together".
Causes of poverty:
Poor infrastructure, lack of reliable and transparent structures
Lack of social security, public awareness and education for env concerns, overcoming traditions, greed and lack of values in leading class.
committed to fight against poverty by the empowerment of vulnerable groups
Promoting communitarian and social development
Providing access to healthcare for women and girls
Fostering sustainable development
http://www.aic-madagascar.org/
International and legal frameworks can foster participation – Jeremy Wates European Environmental Bureau
For the public to fufill its role there needs to be a supportive legal framework
Right to access to information, to participation and to justice
Speaks to Principle 10 of Rio 92 declaration – progress has been uneven at best. Some countries ignore them completely.
Bali guidelines – nonbinding, but negotiation process open to UN memberstates
The effectiveness of legally binding vs non-legally binding. Harder to negotiate but more valuable.
Options for rio : 1 accession to Orbis Convention especially around principle 10 – advantage is that there is a working convention already in place. Disadvantage – convention seen as European convention
Another option is to build a brand new declaration from the ground up, but this presents significant challenges and may be opposed from the get go or subverted.
Maria Angelica Ikeda - Brazil
When we got everyone together the first thing they did was start to talk about a document, but perhaps paper doesn’t have the most power. YOU have the power to mobilize and inspire your own society to change for the better. Very important to keep in mind the ties to social and environmental – come from a place of hope and positive energy. Being negative divides and radicalizes people, so stay hopeful.
Question Session:
Civic energy as the driver. Perhaps this energy comes from the recognition that we are all –all humans who are alive on the planet today are in the same boat. If we are living in an unsustainable way we will not continue to live in this way – we need new ways of doing things and working together to
Ultimately we will be in a sustainable world, the kind of human society it contains is in question and we are on the edge on the brink where our decisions matter.
Why are there no youth on the round table? If we are connecting the dots young people deserve to be at the table.
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