CSO Engagement in Governance and the

MDG Framework

Geoffrey D. PrewittPoverty Reduction and Civil Society Advisor

CoP EventBishkek - November, 2006

Outline of Presentation

Trends State/Citizen Relations – Manifestations Contributions of CSO to Democratic

Governance Contributions of CSOs to the MDGs Challenges to Overcome Recommendations Remaining Questions

Discernable Trends

Growth in numbers For examples, a recent study of 26 countries

(undertaken by John Hopkins University), nonprofit organizations as of the mid-1990s accounted for: 1.2 trillion in expenditures and 31 million full-time equivalent workers.

GONGOs and BONGOs? Donor Frenzy and Aid Dependent

Massive influx of resources Survival of the Fittest?

Discernable Trends (cont.)

Changing Political and Social Landscape Public sector has shrunk in size and more

frugal spending in social services Global movements of solidarity (i.e. – Jubilee

2000) Shaping national and local agenda (i.e. –

National Development Strategies) Inconsistent and Heterogeneous

Very uneven playing field from the Netherlands to Belarus

State/Citizen Interaction (Manor, James. Civil Society and Governance: A Concept Paper. IDS. 1999)

Laissez-faire approach Combinations of conflictive and

harmonic relationships Repression of all manifestations of

citizen’s organized interest Co-optation approach Patronage approach Proactive engagement

Contributions of CSOs to Democratic Governance

Empirical Evidence Robert Putnam’s work Freedom House Study – a strong and cohesive

nonviolent civic coalition is the most important factor contributing to freedom

Selected Examples of Universal Engagement Contribute to public policy and decision-making Transparency and information dissemination Shaping, financing, and delivering social (and

other) services Advocacy and protective role

Benefits of CSO involvement to national development/MDGs

Adapting the MDGs to the local context and issues of ownership

Poverty focused initiatives and policies Calling for additional resources Information, data disaggregated, and

analysis Improved service delivery Promotion of Tolerance and

Legitimacy

Benefits (continued)

Awareness raising and media involvement

Local-Global linkages Improving the quality and

effectiveness A touch of realism

Challenges to Overcome

Capacity Representation and Public Image Lack of Coalitions or Networks Non-conducive Environments Financial (and other forms of)

Viability

Recommendations for UNDP COs

Promote New Strategies for Relations between the State and CSOs

Recommendation One – Develop New Strategies for Interaction

Recommendation Two – Establish Policy Documents on Cooperation

Recommendation Three - Improve the Legal Environment

Recommendations for Government Officials (continued)

Stronger Investment in Social Welfare and Delivery

Recommendation One – Demonstrate the Benefit

Recommendation Two – Establish Contractual Arrangements

Recommendation Three – Support Citizens to Assess the Benefits

Recommendations for Government Officials (continued)

Financial Sustainability, Improved Governance, Managerial Capacity and Other Pre-requisites for a Healthy CSO community

Recommendation One – Encourage CSOs to start at home

Recommendation Two – Consider Alternative Financing Strategies

Recommendation Three – Strengthen Capacity and Encourage Networking

Remaining Questions Consultation, Implementation, and Monitoring

Are MDG consultative processes ensured to be inclusive and representative? Are Government officials willing to allow CSOs to monitor the effects of social and economic policies, including poverty reduction policies?

Will maximum use be made of CSO inputs to MDG consultation processes and implementation activities by permitting their influence on a number of policy processes?

State/Citizen Relations What might be the reaction of national and local authorities to efforts

to promote CSO engagement in the socio-economic and MDG processes? Are the institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks in place?

What are the social, political, and cultural factors within the country or region which could influence people’s participation?

What are the political orientations and activities of different CSOs? Are they adversarial or cooperative?

Civil Society Capacity and Involvement What kinds of strategies appear to be most effective at promoting high

rates and standards of civic engagement in achieving the MDGs? Do CSOs have the appropriate skill-sets (i.e. – economic literacy) to

make for suitable partners in the policy process and to contribute to the MDGs?

“No shift in the way we think or act can be more critical than this: we must put people at the centre of everything we do.”

Kofi Annan, Millennium Report