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UN DPI/NGO Briefings presented by Department of Public Information of the United Nations:
“Nations in Transition: The Role of Civil Society in Strengthening Institutions and Building Democracy"
Location: United Nations HQ, Conference ECOSOC, North Lawn Building
Dated: Thursday, 16 February 2012

"Political change only happens in response to the people’s mass movement and
civil society needs to be rebuilt after the revolution."
Nations in Transition - Panel
Highlights by:
Cem ZORLULAR, Youth Representative of
The Light Millennium to the UN - DPI/NGO.

Maria-Luisa Chavez, Chief, UN DPI/NGO Relations, opened the briefing entitled “Nations in Transition: The Role of Civil Society in Strengthening Institutions and Building Democracy” stating that as Arab Spring is changing the Middle East, political dynamics in the international community are changing. She then reminded the audience that NGOs have a critical role in the development in the region. Finally, she reminded that Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon reaffirmed the need to assist the countries that are rebuilding and transitioning in the Middle East.

Necmeddine Lakhal, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tunisia to the UN, started his speech reminding the audience of the process leading to the revolution in Tunisia. According to Honorable Lakhal, in January 2010 spontaneous citizen move ended the years of dictatorship and offered an opportunity for equality and democracy. Furthermore in October 2011, Tunisia elected the national assembly with the new and democratic government. This also was the first time when an international institution had insured that the elections are fair and unbiased. Honorable Lakhal also claimed that Tunisia is going strong since then. NGOs and civil society are playing strong role in the decision making of the state. Honorable Lakhal noted that this is significant because only few people in Tunisia were active and independent before the revolution. Furthermore, civil society organizations were strictly forbidden in order to strengthen the rule of the dictator. Honorable Lakhal believes that it is not the case anymore; after the revolution hundreds of new civil society organization emerged to achieve the aims of the betterment of people’s lives. He further claimed that it is important for the civil society will understand that being independent for NGOs does not necessarily mean that being opposed to the government. Honorable Lakhal believes that to prevent abuses of power, we must encourage people to participate in politics, promote tolerance, provide new forms of solidarity for citizens, and train ground for future political leaders. Honorable Lakhal ended his remarks noting that political change only happens in response to the people’s mass movement and civil society needs to be rebuilt after the revolution.

"Civil society is the communicative bridge between people,
who are governing the society and society itself."

Mr. Sajid Khan, Senior Political Affairs Officer in the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations,covering South Sudan was the second speaker. Mr. Khan opened his remarks by claiming that although he is not expert on civil society he believes that the role for the civil society in the context of conflict is important. Mr. Khan believes that civil society is the communicative bridge between people, who are governing the society and society itself. He then claimed that patriot act is now being rejected by many of those who have accepted it and this is the work of the civil society. The same goes for the United Kingdom; civil society in UK forced the country to reevaluate the use of torture as an interrogation technique. He then directed his focus in Africa. According to him Africa has a very strong legacy of colonialism. In Africa, if the civil society is not strong then the regime is bolstered. Finally, Mr. Khan stated that Sudan where he lived four years is a very unique country. He stated that he started with the Darfur Peace Process. Talks were held between the rebel leaders representing the displaced people and the government who is representing the rest. However he then claimed that this is not the case. Those who are negotiating are not genuinely representing the people they claimed were representing. Mr. Khan claimed that South Sudan on the other hand every problem in the book. It does not have a national identity beyond issues with Northern Sudan. This, according to him lead to internal strife. He also noted that the main weakness in South Sudan is weak civil society. Mr. Khan closed his remarks by listing three main prerogatives that are necessary for the development of Sudan. First is the freedom of speech. Second priority is stabilization of government support for civil society. Final issue is the justice. Mr. Khan believes that if we take these three elements South Sudan could go towards the right path.

"The biggest enemy of the civil society is the government influenced NGOs."

Roland Rich, Executive Head of the United Nations Democracy Fund and Officer in Charge of the United Nations Office of Partnerships, was the third speaker. He opened his remarks by making note of some of the significant figures. Robert Putnam and his role in Italy, Mr. Putnam has shown that the key of the civil society is its independence from the government. Mr. Rich claimed that the biggest enemy of the civil society is the government influenced NGOs. Mr. Rich said that the examples of Poland and Russia could serve as empirical evidence. Although both countries were in the same situation after USSR, Poland ended up being more democratic. However the main reason is that Poland had a civil society with ten million members. Mr. Rich continued his remarks by talking about his organization. Having spent more than 100 million dollars, UN Democracy Fund works to strengthen the voice of the civil society. The people who own the projects are the NGOs themselves, UNDEF just have helped them. UNDEF uses community radios to disseminate information. Along with that UNDEF does programs that try to include youth in the political process, to encourage women to increase their political participation and get aware of their rights. Mr. Rich presented via slides several selected, in particular, women led successful and inspiring projects that UNDEF has funded in Africa and world-wide.

"Existent civil societies are very necessary for countries in transition."

Final speaker was Ms. Harriette Williams, New York Representative and Advocacy Officer, Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS). She started her remarks by introducing FAS. It is an international NGO that ensures that the African women are empowered and are able to participate in the political life of the country. Ms. Williams declared that although most of the cases we assume that the change is good, we need to take it with a grain of salt: there are certain prerequisites to the change. Furthermore, she claimed that existent civil societies are very necessary for countries in transition. A strong civil society can hold the governments accountable. Ms. Williams added that women are our greatest resources, they are the backbone of social life but due to culture they are deemed disposable. Then Ms. Williams went on to describe her organization’s work on the subject. Ms. Williams told that they are creating networks and connecting women for peace and development. In conflict situations, where women are greatly affected, they are not included in the peace talks. In Burundi as Ms. Williams points out, through the persistence of the women and political support they could 30 percent representation in the government. But there should be additional strengthening. More equitable society, improve the status of women. Ms. Williams also announced that they are working with UNDEF.

Q: What about the responsibility to protect?

NL: It is the state’s responsibility mainly to protect the citizens. Main role of protecting the people lies with the state.

Q: We appreciate Tunisian revolution is that it is peaceful. What about the indigenous people in Tunisia?

NL: We don’t have that problem in Tunisia. My mother is Berber; we speak the Berber language at home. So there is not oppression of any kind.

Q: What can we learn from Arab spring to prevent a war in the context of Iran? How can civil society help?

NL: I think the war is very dangerous thing for the region. We need to bring all people in the religion so that they can organize themselves to prevent the war. But sometimes it is the politics and we can do nothing about it.

RR: We had a project in Iran where we organized the slum communities to have voice. After the revolution, every NGO who is not part of the government were disbanded. So Iran must make sure to allow civil society.

Q: Where does the money for your fund come from?

RR: Member states, but we make our own fundraising but we are independent in our fundraising. Two important contributors are USA and India.

Q: I didn’t quite get the comment asserting that Ghana government is reluctant to give licenses. To my knowledge there are no policy like this. Can you enlighten me about this?

RR I have contacted the permanent Representative of Ghana. I understand that the bureaucracy can prefer the commercial radio given they do pay taxes. I repeat it to you again.

Q: How can the US NGOs connect with the grassroots organizations in the field?

RR: We prefer the local societies.

SJ: After the indictment of President Bashir, the humanitarian part of the civil society was quashed. I don’t fathom that government will be willing to let us help. Contacting the NGOs will not be a problem in Darfur, but the government would not be very happy.

HW: We have created a lot of relationship with the local NGOs by being on the field and extending the network over the time. You must go there and see for yourself before jumping in.

Q: How is UNDEF dealing with lack of democratic education in Pakistan?

RR: We do what we do and we cannot change the rest of the world. We try to assist the NGOs who apply to us and help them as much as we can. I am not familiar with the Madrasa system in Pakistan but I know the Indonesian model of the Madrasa system and it works quite well. The answer is not to attack the Islamic schools but rather better integrate them into the society.

SK: Madrasas have been a constant welfare and education system. What changed fundamentally in the system in Madrasas after the Soviet War is the militarization of the Madrasas. We are trying to revert this. In terms of the counter democratic education you cannot blame the madrasas because Islam has a different definition of democracy.

Q: Does Tunisia welcome help from international NGOs?

NL: Former government was very afraid of the NGOs. Now there are so much assistance from the government and the EU. But of course it would still be on the grounds of government regulations.

Q: UN does not return our organization’s calls.

NL: Go there and talk to the people and go to the field and ask what people really want. NGOS must be able to be directly involved.

Q: How much are you funding programs that target the men – the cultural norms that undermine women?

RR: Patriarchal forces in the society do not come together and ask what can we do to reform ourselves. Majority of our projects are projects led by women to empower women. But why? The largest demographic that is being undermined is the women; we must include them for the betterment of the society. Our evaluations indicate that most effective projects have male participants. However, they are not the ones who you would need to change. But they can act as role models.

Q: I am a 20 year old college student, I get off the plane in Africa, now what do I do?

NL: I am sure you will find an exhaustive list of NGOs and activists working on field in Africa.

HW – Civil society should continue to be vigilant. We must also include men in this struggle.

SK – As the constitution of USA was being drafter, a women asked what was given to us. He answered: A republic. It is the people’s duty to keep it.

NL –Civil society must act as a partner, not complete opposition to the government.

RR – This is a difficult period for civil society. Government is cracking down on civil society. Several of my colleagues are in prison in Egypt. It is important that your voices be heard in support of the civil society.

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