“Active citizenship is essential to
achieving democracy, development
and an equitable society, and these
goals cannot be realized by the
actions of CSOs alone as they require
a much broader mobilization of
ordinary citizens engaging and
contributing in different ways, and at
different levels on issues that they are
passionate about” (Malena 2011)
“In many former communist countries, revolutionary
levels of activism have given way to passivity and CSOs
have not been the vehicles of choice for sustained
participation for most. This suggests a disconnect
between CSOs and citizens, and sounds an urgent
warning to ensure that this experience, where the CSO
model failed both as a vehicle for participation and as
a bulwark against repressive governments, is not
repeated in other parts of the world, such as the MENA
countries.” Civicus report: Broadening civic space
through voluntary action: Lessons from 2011.
“A consistent portrait is emerging of two
gaps: One between CSOs and other sectors
such as the state and the market and one
between CSOs and citizens. These invite us to
question our assumptions about what CSOs
can and cannot so, how they are organized
and set themselves up, and what additional
relationships and connections may be
required.” Civicus report.
“…the most successful participatory governance initiatives are
seen to be those in which voluntary citizen action is at the centre
and CSOs play an active enabling role:
• create spaces and mechanisms for citizen-state engagement;
• facilitate and mediate citizen-state relations;
• nurture political will for participatory governance approaches;
• strengthen the capacity of citizens to act and advocate on
their own behalf.” (Civicus report).
•For
many CSOs, this implies working in a slightly different way –
with less emphasis on being the advocate and increased
emphasis on informing and empowering citizens…”. (Malena
2011.)
localearthsandiego.wordpress
motherofmercy.org
highpowersupport.com
plannedparenthood.org
http://prairiefarm.k12.wi.us
istockphoto.com
nascireland.org
business-fundas
mikehorn.com
btcparish.org