NGLS Civil Society Observer - March 2010

Civil Society Observer

Volume 7, Issue 1

March 2010

NGLS’s Civil Society Observer aims to keep readers informed of developments and specific topics related to NGOs and civil society, whether it be through the media; academic and scholarly discourse; civil society position papers or statements at multilateral meetings or events; or analysis and research originating from civil society.

Content:

• Special Section: Post-Copenhagen
• Special Section: Striving for Gender Equality
• In the Press
• Trends and Debates
• CSOs and the Multilateral System
• Research and Analysis

- Special Section: Post-Copenhagen -

More than three months have gone by since the Copenhagen Accord was adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-15) in Denmark last December, where differing opinions abounded as to whether the Conference had been a success or an outright failure. In the wake of Copenhagen, there has been frustration and confusion over how governments will be able to move forward on reaching a legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking at the 11th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum that took place on 24-26 February in Bali, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer noted, “Many of the participants recognized there is a lack of confidence and a trust deficit after Copenhagen.... To regain political momentum to restart the negotiations, the process must be open, transparent and inclusive.”

This section focuses on civil society perspectives and proposals to move beyond the Copenhagen Accord.

Copenhagen De-briefing: An Analysis of COP15 for Long-term Cooperation
Climatico, January 2010

This report looks at the dynamics between developing and developed countries during the Climate Change debates in Copenhagen and discusses various issues on the negotiating table, including institutional arrangements, financial requirements, and a number of mitigation mechanisms. Finally, the report concludes by discussing the Copenhagen Accord and analyzing its potential effect on future negotiations. http://www.climaticoanalysis.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/post-cop15-report52.pdf

The Copenhagen Accord - A first stab at deciphering the implications for the EU
Christian Egenhofer & Anton Georgiev, 25 December 2009

This article tries to explain the different reactions that prevailed in the US and Europe regarding the Copenhagen Accord. It analyses the Accord and its implications in general, and more specifically for the European Union. http://www.ceps.be/book/copenhagen-accord-first-stab-deciphering-implications-eu

See also: http://www.ceps.eu/book/reinvigorating-eu%E2%80%99s-role-post-copenhagen-landscape

Obama’s “Copenhagen Accord” – UNFCCC turns to WTO?
Funders Network on Trade and Globalization, 4 January 2010, by Victor Menotti

This article posits that in order to resolve the global climate crisis, the world must move from a competitive to a cooperative style of international relations. It argues that the Copenhagen Accord allows for unequal power dynamics. http://www.fntg.org/news/index.php?op=read&articleid=7643

After Copenhagen, the Way Forward
South Centre, South Bulletin, Issue 43, 8 February 2010

In this issue of South Bulletin, South Centre considers the new Accord, mitigation pledges, legal aspects, and calls for respect for multilateral processes. http://www.southcentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1232&Itemid=1

Act Now to Meet The Post-Copenhagen Climate Emergency
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), February 2010

This statement articulates the frustration felt by civil society and social movements regarding the process and outcomes of the Copenhagen Conference. It points out what civil society consider as flaws in the Accord and what needs to be done to salvage the situation and to help prevent climate injustice.
http://www.awid.org/Issues-and-Analysis/Library/Act-now-to-meet-the-post-Copenhagen-climate-emergency

See related article: Civil society calls for rejection of Copenhagen Accord
Third World Network, 18 March 2010, by Meena Raman

Copenhagen 2009: Failure or final wake-up call for our leaders?
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, February 2010, by Benito Müller

This analysis considers the Conference in terms of its outcomes and its success and looks at some of the controversial events, as well as relevant procedural issues. http://www.oxfordenergy.org/pdfs/EV49.pdf

Copenhagen is a disaster for Africa
NGO News Africa, 26 December 2009

This article argues that the climate change deal is a disaster for Africa as it “will not ease the real life impact of climate change on Africa.” Furthermore, the article notes that in Copenhagen, industrial nations managed to divide African and developing countries by co-opting the bigger developing countries, such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa, in private deals. It calls on civil society from both the developed and developing countries to hold their governments accountable for what happened in Copenhagen and to provide the intellectual leadership that is needed. http://www.ngonewsafrica.org/2009/12/continental-copenhagen-is-disaster-for.html

See also: Catholic Aid Agencies say Climate Deal Spells doom for Poor http://www.ngonewsafrica.org/2009/12/continental-catholic-aid-agencies-say.html

Copenhagen: a successful failure
openDemocracy, 12 January 2010, by Joe Smith

Although Copenhagen has been widely portrayed as a failure, Smith notes that it should also be perceived as an important milestone in the history of climate change negotiations and proposes four ways in which the Copenhagen Conference can be seen in a more positive light. http://www.opendemocracy.net/joe-smith/copenhagen-successful-failure

Adaptation under the Copenhagen Accord
Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD), Briefing Note, February 2010, by Linda Siegele

In this Briefing Note, the author argues that from an adaptation perspective, the Copenhagen Accord “rolls back the clock by re-forging the link between adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change and the potential impacts of response measures.” http://www.field.org.uk/files/Adaptation_under_the_Copenhagen_Accord.pdf

- Special Section: Striving for Gender Equality -

From 1 to 12 March 2010, the UN Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) – the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to promote gender equality and the advancement of women – conducted its 54th session at UN headquarters. During this session, the fifteen year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (2000) took place, focusing on barriers to women’s empowerment and upcoming challenges.

The session concluded with the adoption of a declaration in which governments reaffirmed their commitment to the goals and objectives made fifteen years earlier. The Commission also adopted a number of resolutions – concerning gender equality and women’s empowerment – which will be sent to the Economic and Social Council for adoption.

Civil Society Statement: Concerning Beijing +15 process Review at Commission on the Status of Women WIDE, 4 March 2010

In this statement, civil society expresses concern that the spaces for influencing decision making by women’s organizations at the Beijing+15 Review have been significantly reduced, and stresses that the declaration adopted at the session "represents a backward step." http://62.149.193.10/wide/download/Beijing15Statement_Final.pdf?id=1126

The New Times for Women
GEAR Campaign, Special 54th CSW Edition, 1 March 2010

In this original, but “fake” newspaper, the GEAR Campaign advocates for the implementation of a new UN gender entity that takes into account civil society’s demands, such as their participation in proposing candidates for the new Executive Director of the entity. It also argues for a US$1 billion budget, which is double the amount UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced in his “Comprehensive proposal for the composite entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women” (A/64/588) in January 2010. http://www.un-gear.eu/new-times-for-women.pdf

From Beijing to Brussels: an unfinished journey
European’s Women Lobby (EWL), February 2010

The EWL examines the progress made at the EU level towards the full implementation of the 12 critical areas of concern identified in the Beijing Platform for Action over the previous five years. The report identifies gaps and provides concrete recommendations to further enhance gender equality within the EU. http://www.womenlobby.org/SiteResources/data/MediaArchive/policies/beijing/resume_EN.pdf

Expanding Global Access to Female and Male Condoms Civil Society Statement at the 54th session of the CSW, 1-12 March 2010

In this statement, more than 200 civil society organizations call upon governments to expand access to female and male condoms by dramatically increasing funding for their purchase, distribution, and programme support at the country level; ensure comprehensive, rights-based programming to facilitate uptake and sustained use; and involve civil society, especially women’s groups, in policy and programme decision making. http://www.genderhealth.org/pubs/civilsocietycondomstatement.pdf

Gender in the Malestream – Acceptance of Women and Gender Equality in Different United Nations Organisations
Torild Skard, Forum for Development Studies, 36 (1) 2009, pp. 155-191

This article outlines changing approaches to women’s issues and gender equality in the UN system both before and since the International Women’s Year in 1975. Describing how different UN organizations followed up the recommendations made at the large global women’s conferences, it finds that some progress was made. To download this article, click here.

See related articles published in Forum for Development Studies:

  Integration of Women in Industrial Development – the Fate of the Issue in the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO by Bärbel Chambalu, 36(1) 2009, pp. 137-154;

  Promoting the Status of Women in the UN System: Experiences from an Inside Journey by Torild Skard, No.2 – 2008;

  Getting Our History Right: How Were the Equal Rights of Women and Men Included in the Charter of the United Nations? By Torild Skard. No. 1 – 2008.

UN Commission on the Status of Women 2010
openDemocracy, February & March 2010

In the lead up to and during the of the Commission on the Status of Women, openDemocracy published articles and opinion pieces by Jane Gabriel, Editor of openDemocracy’s 50.50 editorial initiative, Zohra Moosa, Women Rights Advisor at ActionAid, and guest writers. Some reflected on the former Beijing process, while others reported from the meeting grounds in New York on progress and challenges. http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/un-commission-on-status-of-women-2010

See also: NGLS’s Roundup 138 “Strengthening the UN Gender Architecture: New Momentum behind Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women”

- In the Press -

This section aims to demonstrate how the international press reflects opinions, work, achievements and challenges faced by civil society organizations, and to also highlight "global civil society."

NGOs Must Harness Social Media Beyond Disaster Relief
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), 16 February 2010, by Susannah Vila

This article examines how NGOs, particularly in the context of Haiti, are using new social media and digital technology. It also analyzes how this technology impacts the work of NGOs and is causing a shift in the NGO sphere. http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2010/02/ngos-must-harness-social-media-beyond-disaster-relief047.html

The third sector’s new networked reality
Wearesocial.net, 31 March 2010, by Simon Collister

This article examines the social web and how it changes the way organizations are structured right through to the way they communicate and campaign. It also discusses a series of significant challenges to traditional civil society actors. http://wearesocial.net/blog/category/news/

A new generation of civil society?
The Guardian, 24 February 2010, by Nick Seddon

Although this article focuses mainly on the United Kingdom, it looks at the potential impacts of the economic recession on the third sector in the country. It talks about a collision of values that may emerge in this sector as the recession might challenge the independence of charities and turn them into State instruments. On the other hand, it argues that charities have a role to play in those areas where the State can no longer deliver (as a result of the recession). http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2010/feb/24/recession-charities-future-role

- Trends and Debates -

Trends and Debates focuses on academic publications on civil society issues that are (freely) available online.

Civil Society and Peacebuilding
The Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding, Working Paper No. 4, October 2009, Thania Paffenholz

This Working Paper includes the findings of comparative research that aimed to better understand the “performance of civil society” in peacebuilding processes. In particular, it considers civil society’s role in the protection, monitoring, advocacy, social cohesion building, facilitation, and service delivery in various situations of war and armed conflict. http://www.graduateinstitute.ch/webdav/site/ccdp/shared/5925/CCDP-Working-Paper-4-Civil-Society.pdf

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law
International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), Volume 12, Issue 1, November 2009

This volume of ICNL’s Journal includes a special section on "NGOs in the Political Realm," which addresses a global trend in governance to speak out against the engagement of NGOs in “political activities,” justifying legal restrictions imposed against the NGO sector. http://www.icnl.org/knowledge/ijnl/vol12iss1/index.htm

In September 2009, ICNL also released its Global Trends in NGO Law, Volume 1 (3), entitled Barred from the Debate: Restrictions on NGO Public Policy, which addresses the issue of civil society’s freedom of expression. It can be accessed by clicking on the following link http://www.icnl.org/knowledge/globaltrends/GloTrends1-3.htm

Speaking Out: Case studies on how poor people influence decision-making
Oxfam GB and Practical Action Publishing, November 2009, edited by Nikki van der Gaag & Jo Rowlands

This book was written in relation to Oxfam Great-Britain’s global programme of work on “the right to be heard” and provides case studies on how the right to be heard can strengthen poor people’s participation in public policy formulation and in holding decision makers accountable. It also addresses issues such as legal identities, personal and collective power, transparency, accountability and responsiveness. http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/downloads/prog_insights/prog_insights_speaking_out_book_pap.pdf

The Downfall of Simplicity and the ‘Complex’ Notion(s) of Democratization: A Revision of the relation between Political Society, Civil Society and Democratization
Stephan de Vries, January 2010

This article analyses existing research on democratization processes, which are generally based on the notion that civil society or the political society or both are drivers for democratization. Based on this research, the author acknowledges that both civil and political society are important for democratization, however he argues that this idea that they are the main drivers is far too simplistic. http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Civil-Society-in-West-Asia/News/Complex-Dynamics-Civil-Political-Societies-and-Democratization-Processes

“Civil society” versus social movements
Interface: a journal for and about social movements, Volume 1, Number 2, November 2009

This special Interface issue builds upon “two related histories: the increase in the NGO sector from the 1980s on and the rebirth of social movements in the late 1980s.” http://www.interfacejournal.net/2009/11/interface-issue-2-civil-society-vs.html

“CSOs: Status, Challenges and Democracy in the Arab World”
Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), January 2010, by Ziad Abdel samad

This paper argues that there are various missing dimensions in research discussions on civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Arab region. It also highlights the main challenges CSOs in Arab region are facing. http://www.annd.org/pdf/Regional%20Conference%20on%20Research%20on%20Civil%20Society%20Organizations%20-%20final%20draft.pdf

The United Nations and Civil Society. Legitimating Global Governance - Whose Voice?
Nora McKeon, August 2009, Zed books, ISBN 9781848132757

This book argues that civil society can be a catalyst for change in global governance and provides a comprehensive analysis of UN engagement with civil society. With a focus on food and agriculture, it shows that civil society can have a politically meaningful space into UN policy dialogue. Key in this regard is that the UN engages with organizations which legitimately speak for the “poor.” http://www.zedbooks.co.uk/book.asp?bookdetail=4306

- CSOs and the Multilateral System -

This section includes statements and position papers from civil society regarding multilateralism and covers differing views on the relation between multilateral institutions and civil society organizations.

The impact of trade liberalization on the realization of human rights
Civil Society Open Letter to WTO Director General, Pascal Lamy, 5 February 2010

In this letter, civil society expresses concern on the contradictions between the rhetoric of complementarity between human rights and trade liberalization, given the real outcomes of liberalization for people and communities around the world. In the interest of promoting the coherence between trade, development and human rights, civil society is asking the Director General of the WTO and Chair of the WTO General Council to agree to an independent and participatory “development and human rights audit” before proceeding with any further negotiations. http://blog.socialwatch.org/civil-society-open-letter-to-wto-director-general-pascal-lamy/

Optimism for a new treaty to combat biopiracy
Third World Network, 20 March 2010, by Chee Yoke Ling

“Political momentum from developing and developed countries grows for a new United Nations treaty that promises to combat biopiracy and ensure that developing countries get their fair and equitable share of benefits from the use of biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge.” http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/intellectual_property/info.service/2010/ipr.info.100308.htm

- Research and Analysis -

This section brings forward new research reports produced by civil society organizations themselves that address global issues.

Impact of the Global Economic Crises on Civil Society Organizations
CSO Steering Committee, 10 February 2010, by Eva-Maria Hanfstaengl

Based on a survey held among 640 civil society organizations worldwide, this report highlights how the food, environmental and economic crises have challenged CSOs and the communities they serve. It also focuses on how to strengthen social-service delivery capacities of CSOs during crisis periods, and provides CSO recommendations in the context of national financial resources, official development assistance, and the international coordination of economic activities. http://ngosocdev.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/full-study-on-impact-of-global-crises-on-csos-2-25-10.pdf

A global database of civil society self-regulation initiatives
One World Trust, 2009

One World Trust has launched a global database of civil society self-regulatory initiatives around the world. It argues that “civil society organizations are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate their accountability, legitimacy and effectiveness.” Therefore a growing number has joined forces to define common standards and promote good practice through codes of conduct, certification schemes, reporting frameworks, directories and awards. http://www.oneworldtrust.org/csoproject/

Compendium of International Legal Instruments and Other Commitments Concerning Core Civil Society Rights
CIVICUS, January 2010

CIVICUS has launched a Compendium of International Legal Instrument and Other Commitments Concerning Core Civil Society Rights in order to strengthen and help defend the rights of civic associations and citizen participation worldwide. The Compendium highlights all the commitments made by governments – both nationally, regionally, internationally and at the UN – to protect the rights of citizens and organizations to exist and take an active part in shaping policies and practices of governments and institutions. http://www.civicus.org/content/Compendium_Jan2010.pdf

Where Are NGOs Concentrating Their Campaigning Resources?
SIGWatch, November 2009

This study analyses where NGOs have been concentrating their campaigning resources and their priority issues and industries, both globally and by world region in the period November 2008 – October 2009, indicating changes in NGO focus and concentration. http://www.globalgovernancewatch.org/docLib/20091201_Where_Are_NGOs_Concentrating.pdf

Bringing Human Rights to Bear in Times of Crisis: A human rights analysis of government responses to the economic crisis
The Association for Women’s Rights in Development, the Center of Concern, Center for Economic and Social Rights, the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Submission to the High-Level Segment of 13th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the global economic and financial crises, March 2010

This joint report aims to deepen understanding of how governments have conducted themselves and how effective economic policies have been in defending and strengthening the enjoyment of human rights in a time of multiple and interlocking social and economic crises. It provided views and recommendations to the 13th session of the Human Rights Council during its High-Level Segment on the impact of the global economic and financial crises to the realization of all human rights and on possible actions required to alleviate it. http://www.escr-net.org/usr_doc/HRResponsestoEconCrisis_Final.pdf

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