Who or what is Civil Society?

Well, firstly, Civil Society is not in the dictionary. There is civil defense, civil death and civil disobedience, but no civil society.

What about civil? Civil is defined as:

1. of or relating to the state or its citizenry

2 a : CIVILIZED <civil society> b : adequate in courtesy and politeness : MANNERLY

3 a : of, relating to, or based on civil law

4 : of, relating to, or involving the general public, their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as distinguished from special (as military or religious) affairs

So, according to the dictionary, to be part of Civil Society, we need to be citizens of states, civilized, mannerly, law abiding and part of the general public.

But if we are supposed to be all these things, why did we call the groups who were at the globalization protests in Seattle, Quebec?? civil society groups.. Though they are part of the general public and involved in civic affairs, they don’t seem to be mannerly, civilized, or law abiding

It seems that this term Civil Society is new, and few people seem to know what it means. So, we should talk, right? Figure out collectively what this thing is, and then we will all be better off.

Who or What is CIVICUS and CIVICUS World Assembly?

According to the website at www.civicus.org, CIVICUS is "an international alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world." Sounds like a good cause.

According to CIVICUS World Assembly website, the assembly to be held in Vancouver, B.C. Canada from April 19 — 23 is "one of the largest non-protest gatherings of the World’s leading thinkers and activists on citizen participation, ranging from the Vice President of the World Bank to grassroots community activists."

So what do youth think civil society is?

 

We went out and asked youth what Civil Society is, and this is what they said …

"To me Civil Society really means the convergence of all things that are happening that are non-governmental. For me primarily the sort of stuff that I’m involved in — that I consider civil society to be is the type of environmental, social justice, really progressive work that is going on at the ground level and also at the larger non-governmental organizational level."

Mia Amir, Environmental Youth Alliance.

"I don’t really know what Civil Society is defined as or what exactly is it. I’d be really interested to know — it sounds like a pretty important thing. I would guess that it has something to do with how society, people and the masses behave and act out in their daily lives."

Damien McCombs, Check Your Head: The Youth Global Education Network

"[Civil Society sounds like] a kind of like a tea party ... or what police want you to aspire to. Some people think of it as more than that — its associated with social justice movements and leftist organizing. Also, it is kind of in the process of being co-opted by the government to include the volunteer sector and liberalize it and de-politicize it to mean kind of what I thought of thought it was originally (which was nicely mannered)."

 Tanya Willard, Redwire Magazine

… and why should youth know and be involved (or not) in Civil Society and CIVICUS?

I think people should establish the difference between the three parts that now I know are state, civil society and the market. Also we can establish what is civil society’s role in the world, in the community, or in the city for example. Establish the role of each of these elements — if they are working together or if they are not.

Lanny, Students Commission

"What I think Civil Society means is people in society, citizens - so people, us, whatever and basically the people keeping watch on what the governments and what the markets, corporations are doing and making sure that whatever they’re doing is advancing people, all people. I think it’s our job to watch out and watch them and tell them when they are doing something is gonna hurt people or is going to discriminate against people."

Cass Elliot

"I think a lot of people live lives of apathy and unawareness because they’re not exposed to things that are happening in their communities. They rely on the government, or just hate the government and aren’t active and involved in the communities in which they live. There are organizations, peoples doing really good progressive educational things and I think people should know that they are a part of that and can be a part of that. There’s so much amazing stuff that’s going on to help create change. As for Civicus [World Assembly 2001] I’m not even sure if the intention is good - it’s a very exclusive seeming event. It doesn’t seem to be welcoming to youth, to more radical visions and ideas of how things should and could be done. It tries to paint this picture of Civil Society, and say that it is inclusive, wide-spread, and "the voices of all are heard" and I don’t think Civicus is really trying to hear everyone’s voices… it’s trying to hear the voice of those whom have a stake in Civicus — the organization, itself and the intentions of those behind it."

Mia Amir, EYA

"Well firstly I don’t see Civicus as even coming close to representing civil society at least on a majority level. Seems like there’s a pretty big minority of people who have a really condescending attitude to what the rest of the world should do, or think that civil society is. It also seems like it’s really backed by industry and the market place so it makes me really really sceptical. I think of civil society to be a really great thing for everyone — Civicus seems like its trying to move to something that isn’t great for everyone."

 Damien McCombs

 

So, tell me again, what is the CIVICUS Youth Engagement Project and website about?

This project and website are about you having a say in decising what civil society is, and having a direct link into the CIVICUS conference. The Students Commission and Redwire will have youth at the CIVICUS conference reporting to you what is going on — online, and live. Leading up to the conference, this space will be for you to comment, write, scream and yell about what you think civil society is, and how youth should be involved.

Let’s hear from ya!!