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| March 18, 2007 | Sunday | Safar 28, 1428 |
Democracy within civil society stressed
ISLAMABAD, March 17: The networks and coordinating bodies of civil society are strengthened and sustained only if they have a people-oriented agenda and connections at the grassroots level.
Volunteerism, reduced donor dependency, democratic norms, transparency and sharing of opportunities should be the foundations of a network to ensure the democratisation of the society and increased involvement of the masses.
This was the crux of a dialogue organised by Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) and Church World Services Pakistan-Afghanistan (CWS) on “Coordinating bodies and networks of civil society” here on Thursday.
Presenting a research study conducted by CWS, Takashi Komino, coordinator Disaster Response Programme said peoples’ involvement, strong funding base and result-oriented approach were a must for a successful network.
Meraj Humayun Khan, secretary Pakistan NGOs Forum, said alliance building was important as it was a common platform for a collective voice and comprehensive efforts to safeguard one’s rights.
Anees Jillani, the founder of the Society for the Protection and Rights of the Child (SPARC), said coalition building was significant for strengthening democracy but before that “we must promote democratisation and sharing of opportunities among ourselves to ensure an effective networking.” The networks must reduce dependency on donors and should focus on generating movements to bring change in the society.
Nadeem Fazil Ayaz, country director of ActionAid, said the civil society networks being mobilised on political issues had filled up the vacuum of students’ politics in the society.
Talking about internationalising the networks, he said it brought more exposure and best international practices. Internet and modern means of communications should also be effectively utilised.
He said the networks should have a loose structure as they have an entirely different approach and dynamics compared to an organisation.
Gul Najam Jamy, programme manager of the Aga Khan Foundation, said networking for promoting sustainable development was of significance as we have recent examples of the New Murree Project and rights of fisherfolk where the masses were mobilised to reject these developments which could have negative impacts on environment.
He also said there was a need to establish knowledge based networks.
Harris Khalique, chief executive SPO, said, “we should be able to differentiate between a western state and western civil society and form more effective linkages with western civil society.”
Dr Naseer Nizamani, country director of Family Health International, Faisal Gorchani from the SDPI, Imran Sharif from Aurat Foundation and Zohra Sajjad Zaidi from South Punjab NGO Forum also spoke.—Our Reporter
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