FROM THE DESK OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR PROGRAMMES
The Need for Practice-Research Engagement on Civil Society
Release Date: 14 July 2006
Guest Column By Finn Heinrich, CIVICUS Assistant Secretary General for Programmes
I’ve just returned from the 7th International Conference of the International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR), held in Bangkok. ISTR (www.istr.org) is the international body promoting research and education on issues related to civil society. Different from many other academic bodies, ISTR has always consciously attempted to bring reflective civil society practitioners into its fold, which is clearly not without challenges. At the Bangkok conference, issues of how researchers and practitioners can and should work together, again surfaced, which led me to reflect on the general benefits and challenges of what CIVICUS calls ‘ practice-research engagement’.
As a global alliance of civil society organisations, aiming to strengthen civil society through advocacy, policy engagement and knowledge generation, CIVICUS has always been committed to making use of research for civil society practice. For example, its major programme, the Civil Society Index, rests on participatory action-research principles and attempts to generate policy-relevant knowledge through various research tools and methods. Also, in 2001, CIVICUS, together with the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organisations at Harvard University produced a small book on this issue (see (www.civicus.org/new/book_list.asp?id=47).
However, bridging the gap between research and practice is often easier said than done. Commonly encountered challenges include the vastly different ways of thinking and working by academics and practitioners, the different ‘professional languages’ and often mutual distrust about the motives of each group. At ISTR, researchers complained about the fact that CSOs did show initial interest in a specific research project, but then failed to provide any information. On the other hand, reflective practitioners criticized that academic research often looks at civil society only as ‘objects’ of their studies, which results in ignoring their insights and perspectives on important issues of research design and implementation and disempowering practitioners with regard to any emerging research findings and learnings.
Interestingly, in several conversations, participants reported that, at least in the field of civil society research, it is more often the practitioners than the researchers who develop innovation and creative new approaches. The complex issues of civil society’s accountability and legitimacy are just one case at hand, where there is immense experimentation and innovation going on within civil society, seemingly without sufficient theoretical and conceptual reflection among researchers.
Yet, as many studies presented at the ISTR conference showed, where such engagement takes place, it can be immensely beneficial for both sides. The generation of new knowledge and evidence which can simultaneously be used for research, policy and action is a key benefit. Thus, ISTR conferences, CIVICUS World Assemblies and other venues where reflective practitioners meet engaged researchers, are critically important, as they assist in breaking down existing mental blocks and barriers, demystifying research and practice and providing safe spaces for an effective engagement across boundaries.
Civil society is still rather new, both as an arena for social action as well as a field of scientific inquiry. Recently, civil society research centres have emerged in many countries, increasingly in the Global South, to study and reflect on civil society. Even though most of these centres are based at universities, which imply certain baggage in terms of approach and focus, it is hoped that many of them will be able to contribute to a better understanding of civil society and of its role in socio-political processes around the world. From a practitioner’s perspective, further engagement with the research community is not only welcome but absolutely essential to promote its further growth and consolidation. CIVICUS is certainly committed to continuing to build bridges between the research and practice communities for the benefit of all.
Best wishes,
Finn Heinrich
For more information and suggestions, please e-mail finn@civicus.org
