CSI_Enewsletter

Introducing Volume 1 of the Global Report on the State of Civil Society
By Finn Heinrich, CIVICUS

As many of you know, CIVICUS has been working on the production of the first edition of the Global Report on the State of Civil Society, which is based on the CSI studies in 44 countries. Preceded by an introduction and a chapter describing the CSI approach and methodology, 44 chapters form the core of the publication. Each chapter, which benefited from input by the respective CSI partner organisations as well as external reviewers, summarises the key results and recommendations emerging from the CSI study. Together, these chapters offer a useful overview of the state of civil society in these countries and attest to the diversity of civil society around the world.

We are happy to announce that the final manuscript has been submitted to Kumarian Press, which is CIVICUS’ partner in preparing this publication. Kumarian Press has launched a website for the book:

http://www.kpbooks.com/details.asp?title=CIVICUS+Global+Survey+of+the+State+of+Civil+Society%2C+Volume+1%3A+Country+Profiles

CIVICUS will launch the publication at the CIVICUS World Assembly with a special book launch, to which you are cordially invited. The book launch will take place on 23 May at16:30, at the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre (SECC) in Dochart Suite 1 and 2. The CIVICUS World Assembly is taking place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 to 27 May 2007.

CSI Global Report Volume 2: “Investigating civil society across the globe”
By Carla Suarez, CIVICUS CSI team

For the past four months, the CSI research team has been vigorously working on the CSI Global Report Volume 2: “Investigating civil society across the globe”. This upcoming volume takes a comparative analysis of the 54 countries that have implemented and completed the CSI. The volume is divided into 20 chapters, some of which are regional chapters, including Post-Communist Europe, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Western and Southern Europe as well as Asia Pacific. The remainder of the chapters examine some of the most important thematic issues in the civil society discourse and debate. This includes conceptions and definitions of civil society, the infrastructure of civil society organisations, citizen participation, the legal environment, the relationship between civil society and the state, accountability and transparency issues, policy impact, the relationship between development and democracy and, lastly, corporate social responsibility and other issues related to business. The Volume 2 chapters are written by both internal CSI authors as well external academics, practitioners, consultants and activists.

To date, the research team has received and edited the first draft of the majority of the chapters mentioned above and we are in the process of receiving the second drafts. A distinct feature of the chapters is their ability to draw out the similarities and differences between civil society organisations across the globe. These unique “realities” that are being highlighted have also helped to question common perceptions of civil society organisations as outlined by the literature and theories. For example, the “conception and definition” chapter found that civil society organisations have difficulty agreeing on a common abstract definition of civil society. However, on a more practical and mechanical level, civil society organisations have a very clear idea of who belongs and who does not belong to this group and what their main activities are. Therefore, while it is difficult, the operational side of civil society is heavily agreed upon, something which has not frequently been captured by the literature.

The manuscript will be completed at the end of May 2007 and it will be published by Kumarian Press at the end of 2007.

Strategy for cooperation of the government with the civil sector
By Emina Nuredinoska, Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (former CSI project coordinator in Macedonia)

We would like to share with you that the Macedonian Government adopted the Strategy for Cooperation with Civil Sector in January 2007. The Macedonian Center for International Cooperation is one of the members of the Consortium who implemented an EU funded project “Technical Assistance to the Civil Society Unit in the Government” in which the framework was prepared and the strategy adopted. The team leader of this project is Emina Nuredinoska who has been actively involved in the process of preparing the strategy.

Since the whole Strategy is based on the CSI findings it gives us great pleasure to share with you what we believe to be a major sign of impact. The English version of the strategy will be available on the website from the 22 March. If you want this sooner, we can send you the strategy via email.

http://www.vlada.mk/assets/Strategija%20za%20sorabotka%20na%20Vladata%20so%20graganskiot%20sektor%20(2007-2011)%20so%20akciski%20plan%20za%20sproveduvanje.pdf

For more information: emina@ngounit-govsupport.org.mk

CSI findings in Scotland
By Ruchir Shah, SCVO

The CSI in Scotland has revealed a civil society which is confident and has high aspirations. Support infrastructure within civil society with civil society organisations supporting each other is very well developed in Scotland, with many networks around which civil society can coalesce. Secondly, cooperation on shared issues of concern as well as the impulse towards self-regulation is strong and hints at a sector which has the self-confidence to ensure its effectiveness and integrity. Civil society enjoys a broadly benign operating environment. There is high public spiritedness and enthusiasm in Scottish society, such that despite a decline in voting rates for government, participation in civil society has been increasing. Trust is higher for civil society than for the public or private sectors. Scotland has a fair and open legal system, which is conducive to civil society.

On the other hand, the CSI has identified some weaknesses. Civil society in Scotland appears to be increasingly delivering need according to state priorities, particularly through a major increase in state funded public service delivery. The implication of this is that civil society could increasingly be in danger of becoming a sticking plaster for poor policies, rather than challenging society to meet real needs not addressed in existing public policy. Secondly, civil society does not possess a consistent set of values shared by all its participants. Indeed many of these values are set up in opposition to each other, such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) support groups and some faith institutions, animal welfare and some academic institutions, some sports and faith groups and anti-sectarian campaigners. As a result of this, those wishing to engage with civil society at a holistic level can find it frustrating to bring a single unified civil society voice to the table.

Participants in the CSI project have put forward three main recommendations. Capture the energy that connects Scottish civil society with global civil society. Capture the energy that cut across civil society in Scotland. And enhance the role of civil society in connecting individuals, groups and institutions across local, national and international levels.

The CSI has successfully managed to put civil society on the agenda of regional development and the current political change in Ukraine
By Svitlana Kuts, Center for Philanthropy

The CIVICUS Civil Society Index has been recognised as an important tool in drafting a new strategy for civil society development and strengthening in Ukraine. The CS development strategy entitled “The Directions of Civil Society in Ukraine” includes both a strategy and an action plan, which was developed through the course of a number of CSI follow up activities. It was later approved at the 4^th World Congress of Ukrainians in August 2006. Moreover, the Ukrainian CSI team was invited by the Ukrainian Government to participate in the development of the document entitled “Concept of Government and Civil Society Cooperation in Ukraine” in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. This draft document is now being discussed by CS stakeholders and will be adopted into law during the spring of 2007. The document includes recommendations from the CSI Country Report as well as an offer to accept the CSI as a civil society monitoring tool in Ukraine.

In November 2006 the Initiative Consortium “Ukraine - It’s Us,” of which the NCO, Center for Philanthropy is a member, started a series of communication activities under the title “Can civil society be an integral part of everyday life of Ukrainians?” The series included thematic areas like Government – Civil Society Relationships, Civil Society Participation, usefulness of and trust in civil society, and international dimensions of civil society.

In order to sensitise the mass media to civil society issues, stakeholders involved in the CSI joined hands in a number of press conferences and other media briefings. The message was clear: “Civil Society is not something distant but something that is part of everyday life.” Several communication activities have also taken place in the different regions of Ukraine, mainly as a response to regional organisations, who had requested the CSI team to come to their communities and present the CSI findings. Two regional briefings were also held in the eastern and western parts of the country. Interestingly, regional briefings have attracted more media and government attention than those in the capital. The Ukrainian CSI team will therefore continue to organise regional briefings throughout 2007.

Dissemination of the Georgian Civil Society Index Report
By Paata Papava, Head of the Research and Information Department, CTC

During recent months several events have been dedicated to the dissemination of the Georgia CSI-SAT findings. The main event took place on 7 December 2006 at CTC which is a member of CIVICUS and its partner in the CSI project in Georgia. A civil society expert, Ghia Nodia, gave a presentation to a large number of representatives from CSOs, universities and government institutions. The guests underlined the importance of consistent and continuous research on the status of civil society in Georgia. Several NGOs and scholars expressed their willingness to get involved in future research activities.

The CIVICUS CSI report was also included as one of the main components in the national youth seminar, “Development of Civil Society in Georgia”. Youth representatives from different CSOs and universities participated in the discussion. They were also introduced to the aims and objectives of the project as well as the methodology of the CSI. One of the participating student groups presented a project proposal aimed at setting up training workshops on Democracy and Civil Society for students in Georgia. One of the ideas presented was to target students from eleven high schools around the country.

CTC will continue to disseminate the CSI findings to a wider audience in the country to raise awareness and support for the CSI. The next major challenge will now be to prepare for the implementation of the full-scale CSI.

Government of Vietnam Expresses Commitment to a Stronger Relationship with Civil Society
By Thi Kieu Vien - Senior Governance Advisor - SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

The lack of an enabling environment, the weak capacity and self-identity of Vietnamese civil society are the major challenges still to be overcome in order to promote its effective contribution to the socio-economic development of Vietnam. Participants delivered this key message during the 'Capacity Building and Strengthening the Participation of Non-Governmental Organisations for the Socio-economic Development of Vietnam' workshop, held in Hanoi on 9 November 2006. The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Association (VUSTA) organised the workshop with the support of UNDP, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Hanoi.

An unprecedented forum of 150 representatives from the Vietnamese Government, donor community, international NGOs and Vietnamese NGOs discussed their respective roles in building the capacity and strengthening the participation of Vietnamese NGOs. Inaugurated by the Vice Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Thang Van Phuc, and welcomed by the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Subinay Nandy, and SNV Vietnam Country Director, Mr. Pieter de Baan, the workshop was hailed as the point of departure for a more dynamic and open relationship between the Vietnamese government and Vietnamese NGOs.

The forum also gave Vietnamese NGOs, important members of Vietnamese civil society, an opportunity to express their growing confidence in fighting poverty and in sustaining a fruitful dialogue between the Government and civil society.

Vice Minister Dr. Phuc shared his view that NGOs are voluntary and autonomous in functioning and can fill the gaps that may exist in the government and market systems. Dr. Phuc acknowledged that Vietnamese NGOs have been instrumental in reducing poverty, protecting the environment, fighting against the misuse of funds and improving people's participation in the socio-economic development of Vietnam.

There is more to the relationship between government and civil society than partnering for the provision of basic services. As Pieter de Baan remarked "How indeed to respond to social change? That is a crucial issue to be addressed [by these two parties] for the sake of continued development and stability in Vietnam. The contributions of international partners, including international NGOs, can have a supportive value. The real drive to open up new avenues for the overall development of the country needs to come from Vietnamese civil society."

International experts from China, Denmark and New Zealand stressed the need for civil society to advocate transparency and accountability as well as to actively participate in service delivery functions. Dr. David Robinson, Director of the Social and Civic Policy Institute said "Steps should be taken to update laws to conform to current international standards wherever possible."

The presentation of the 2005 CIVICUS Civil Society Index Study in Vietnam highlighted the key finding that the lack of an enabling environment is limiting the independence, and therefore the potential impact, of mass organisations and associations in Vietnam. The CIVICUS study was a landmark event in opening up discussions about the roles and possible contributions of Vietnamese civil society.

According to workshop participants, the Government, international NGOs and donors should recognise Vietnamese NGOs as an important driver of national development. In addition, Vietnamese NGOs should have access to a platform for dialogue with the State, improve networking amongst themselves and be given greater flexibility and easier access to funding and learning opportunities. Participants also suggested the establishment of a separate, independent funding mechanism for civil society in Vietnam which, for example, could address the issue of capacity development using innovative approaches proposed by international organisations such as SNV.

As Vietnam accelerates its international integration, witnessed by its accession to the World Trade Organisation on 7 November, the Government's agenda should henceforth include strengthening its relationship with Vietnamese civil society. The presence at the workshop of senior delegates from the Government, as well as from the National Assembly and the Vietnam Communist Party, just at a moment when preparations for the upcoming APEC Summit were reaching frenzied heights, indicated the Government’s commitment to improving this relationship.

For more information, please contact: Nguyen Thi Kieu Vien - Senior Governance Advisor - SNV Netherlands Development Organization; Email: vienntk@snvworld.org.

http://vngos.blogspot.com/