Post #2. This is a quick one.
Its a reflection based on the notes from a plenary from the CIVICUS conference held in Monteal this week. The notes are here: http://civicusassembly.org/rapports/Day1/WA_T1_1_Plenary_Changing_nations_through_citizens.pdf
It is often argued that there is no need for government to directly engage citizens in policy development because members of civil society are the voice of citizens. I do not agree with this sentiment because civil society actors are not just an aggregate of citizens and often have their own goals and agenda (agenda not being a bad thing). Civil society has a crucial role to play and must be a part as well, Im just suggesting that civil society doesn't necessarily speak for citizens.
The speakers on this plenary reinforce my argument by suggesting that increasingly, as we have seen over the past several years with the examples of the Arab Spring and the Occupy movement, that citizens are acting spontaneously without the need for centralized organizations to speak for them. These citizens are self organizing when their passion flares and the need arises and have the skills and knowledge to express their voice and make a contribution.
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ReplyDeleteIan, I love that you are blogging. Looking forward to following your ideas and contemplation.
ReplyDeleteComing out of the CIVICUS session, I'm wondering if you heard examples of major citizen action from countries with comparable political cultures and socio-economic situations. You mentioned the passion of citizens as a key element of folks getting off their seats and really involved - what are the issues in this country where you feel we could make that happen?
Bill McKibben (famed environmentalist and author) suggested in a recent piece for Rolling Stone magazine that often successful citizen movements have an "enemy" - something to help really galvanize people into action. An interesting thought.
Cheerio
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteThe CIVICUS conference was interestingly focused on citizen action in countries of the South. Often where autocratic governments are in power, or democracy is at a much earlier stage than in Canada.
I was able to make connections with some folks from the UK, and I am well set up now to attend the IAP2 conference in Halifax at the end of this month. I made some neat connections that will allow me to answer some of the key questions I have through those people before, during and after that conference. There was also an interesting connection through the Coady Inst. in Nova Scotia. The new head of the institute has significant experience in the public participation space so I'll be following that lead in the coming couple weeks.
With regards to your question around citizen movements. I do agree that most citizen movements have an "enemy" - or a force to stand against. However, I'm unsure whether we need to galvanize a ton of people into action behind the ideas of more public participation, especially in the foreign or global development policy space. Most of me believes that the progress can be made by a relatively small number of innovative actors pushing on the right buttons with proven ideas with a ton of potential. However, I might be completely wrong so it is something I need to continue to explore.
Thanks for reading the blog and for sharing some questions!
Ian