Summary: Information / Discussion

Civil society organizations - governments cooperation

Civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been instrumental in initiating positive change worldwide, occasionally working with governments but often without them. The cooperation of CSOs, NGOs, governments and other world institutions would go a long way to solving the world's problems.

Mr. Ian Ferguson of the Canadian Mission to the UN in Geneva began by discussing the importance of CSOs in strengthening society. According to Mr. Ferguson, CSOs can advocate for worthy causes, mobilize financial resources, bear witness to the international process, and hold governments accountable. He stated that 7.5 million Canadians volunteer, and their contribution is equivalent to 1 billion work hours annually with the value of a medium-sized province's economy. Moreover, Canadian NGOs generated 4 billion dollars in 2001, which benefited public works in 80 countries. In addition, an effective interaction exists between Canadian CSOs and the Canadian government. A strong connection exists also between NGOs and the public, which is important as NGOs initiate attention to problems. The anti-land mine campaign is a prime example. Another example is the International Criminal Court Campaign. Legal experts from civil society and NGOs were active in bringing about the creation of the court. Another initiative being helped by NGOs and CSOs is the Digital Opportunity Task Force. The coming together of the various sectors of society-government, the UN system, NGOs and CSOs-to solve problems and improve the quality of life will continue to be important.

Ms. Raymonde Martineau of the Union of International Associations commented on the successful examples of CSO and NGO collaboration with governments. She added that it is important to look at CSOs and NGOs who want to participate in the UN system, especially in ascertaining their accessibility to the system.

The second panelist, Ms. Cecilia Oh, heads the Third World Network, which has offices in Malaysia, Accra, Ghana, Latin America and Geneva. She stated that the cooperation between CSOs and various governments has yielded concrete and tangible results. CSOs were instrumental in protesting globalization in Seattle and Rome, and Ms. Oh emphasized that the Seattle protests were the start of the anti-globalization movement. Although the movement was composed of a range of groups with different goals, the unifying factor was that people were unhappy about the fact that that a few groups and countries hold power which they do not share with the rest of the world. Reduced income has been one result of this inequality. Ms. Oh stressed that citizens should hold governments accountable if they see no change.

A consequence of globalization, explained Ms. Oh, is that economic and sustainable development policies are made at the international rather than the national level. The internationalization of externally-made policies negatively impact on the alleviation of poverty. Knowing who is making the policies in trade, investment, and finance liberalization and why they are making it is extremely important. CSOs have been important in bringing these issues to the attention of the public and the media. Questioning free trade, which may be ideal for some organizations, such as the the World Trade Organization (WTO), is essential, she stressed. Changing policies so that CSO and NGO representatives can attend WTO meetings is a first step. Changes are also needed in WTO agreements with regard to the impact of globalization on people's right to food. Ms. Oh further pointed out that questioning inequities is also necessary. One such inequity is due to the fact that in some cases farmers in the EU and the US receive subsidies, while farmers in the developing countries do not. Another is the high cost of HIV/AIDS medication from developed countries compared to that produced by an Indian pharmaceutical company. In order to make change, CSOs and NGOs must work not only with governments, but also with academics and other agencies besides the WTO, since multinational companies do not ensure equality throughout the world.

Mr. Jean-Pierre Gontard of the Graduate Institute for Development Studies in Geneva discussed the paradigm shifts of giving between governments and NGOs. Decades ago, northern governments gave funds to northern NGOs, which in turn gave them to southern NGOs. Northern governments and northern NGOs are no longer the sole donors of funds as they were decades ago. Currently multiple donors from various locations —including those giving private funds— provide funds to recipients who are mainly southern NGOs.

Conclusions
The discussion that followed the presentations emphasized the need for cooperation and mutual assistance among CSOs and NGOs as well as the importance of funds and funding sources —with governments if possible but without governments when necessary. African participants emphasized the need to strengthen and support African CSOs and NGOs, especially where government corruption and crises such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic have destroyed societal structure and organization.

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