With less than three weeks to go before the year ends it is worth taking a few moments to reflect on the successes and failures of the efforts of civil society during the course of 2005. Undoubtedly this year has seen many notable developments. Civil society’s fight against global poverty and the campaign to address climate change saw these issues being given much more prominence than ever before. However, prominence, in the sense that these issues could not be dodged by world leaders, is only part of the demands of civil society organisations. To a large extent there is deep disappointment that political leaders, particularly from rich countries, have let down not only the world at large but their own citizens who have shown this year increasing concern and the desire to build a world based on solidarity, sharing and a sense of common global citizenship.
The launch of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (www.whiteband.org) at the World Social Forum in January brought together a broad range of organisations that normally do not work closely with each other. Needless to say, these organisations do not agree on all issues. However, in recognition of a substantial amount of agreement on the broad approaches to creating a more just, equitable and sustainable world, these organisations set aside their minor differences and focused instead on the goals that unite civil society.
I am writing this from Hong Kong, where thousands of activists from around the world have converged for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting. Even though the European Union, the United States and other developed countries are not seizing this opportunity to address the deep injustice that is being done to the poor by refusing and completely negating the notion of a so-called “development round,” civil society organisations are not giving up just yet. Peaceful protests are planned, several civil society organisations have delegates accredited to lobby inside the main conference venue and on International Human Rights Day, GCAP held its third White Band Day with many mobilisation activities around the world. While progress has been less than optimal to say the least, civil society organisations recognise that the struggle for justice is a marathon and not a sprint and the efforts of 2005 lay a firm foundation for the struggles that lie ahead.
This year, we have seen many troubling developments with regard to democracy. From Russia to Eritrea and Ethiopia, we have seen moves to restrict democratic space. Under the guise of the ill-named “war on terror”, both in long-standing and in newer democracies, we have seen certain fundamental tenets of democracy being undermined. Most importantly, these interventions are giving legitimacy to the men of terror and are dividing people even further. When we start legitimising detention without trial and house arrests, when we start engaging in racial and religious profiling, when we start using language such as “you are either with us or against us” - Hitler used these words in the run up to the Second World War - when we start undermining the rule of law by engaging in acts of torture (whether we call it by nice sounding names such as “water boarding” or “extraordinary rendition”), we have moved into a very dangerous place.
When we engage in such practices, we send a message to the men of terror that says “You are so powerful that we are prepared to compromise on certain values and beliefs that we have cherished for such a long time”. Human rights are compromised in the process, raising the question: exactly what “way of life” are we protecting? Yet, the struggles that civil society has waged in the face of this onslaught are commendable even when not as successful as desired. Next year we will need to intensify our efforts to breathe new life into democracy as many citizens lose trust in political leadership and political institutions. We will need to become even more united and add our voice to the efforts of citizens in far away places when their rights are threatened so that, one day, when our rights are threatened, others will rise to our defence. In addition, we need to create relationships so that when NGOs are threatened, for example, trade unions and others rise to their defence and vice versa.
Civil society’s efforts are also about promoting arts, culture, recreation and sport. In communities around the world, men and women, young and old, gay and straight, citizens from rich and poor countries have quietly contributed to building, maintaining and strengthening the social fabric in thousands of communities. In this final issue of e-CIVICUS this year, I would like to pay tribute to all these unsung community activists who give us reason for optimism. In the year that lies ahead, trade unions, NGOs, faith-based organisations, social movements and community activists, as well as our allies (still small in number but growing) in government and in the business community, must continue to build on previous successes and to learn from earlier failures.
My late mother used to say, “It is much better to try and fail than to fail to try”. Certainly, civil society organisations have this year and for several decades before tried to work for justice, human rights, peace and equality. While we have not always failed, we have not made the progress that current and future generations deserve. For every struggle won, and for every struggle lost, we must ensure that we create the space to learn from both our successes and failures, since from this reflection we can hopefully improve our impact next year and beyond.
Some reading this column will justifiably say that this paints civil society as an uncomplicated source for the common good and will ask the question: what about civil society organisations that undermine human rights, that argue against full gender equality and condone or even promote various forms of discrimination? These organisations may be in a minority on a global basis, but the question calls for a serious examination of how we deal with diversity, as well as how progressive civil society can win over a much larger constituency of people that celebrates our common humanity and works for social, political, economic and civic justice.
As the year comes to a close, I would like to wish you, on behalf of the board of directors of CIVICUS and all my colleagues on the staff, a peaceful time with your family, friends and loved ones. We hope we can all return to our efforts in the New Year, energised and ready for a year in which we can make progress on a broad range of fronts from environmental justice to gender equality. As well, we hope that you will join us next year at the CIVICUS World Assembly (www.civicusassembly.org) where we will meet under the broad theme of Acting Together for a Just World.
