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Volunteerism, Civic Engagement and the Post-2015 Agenda

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Volunteerism, Civic Engagement and the Post-2015 Agenda State of Civil Society / From Rio+20 to Beyond 2015 Volunteerism, Role of civil society voice Africa to the Occupy Movement and citizen in intergovernmental protests, from those against austerity to civic engagement organisations those demanding fair elections.5 A late and the post-2015 2013 analysis (covering 87 countries and In 2013, civic engagement was again high- 90 percent of the world’s population) agenda lighted as an essential element for sustain- of 843 protests between 2006 and 2013 able development, as reflected clearly in notes the main grievances were economic United Nations Volunteers an array of publications and statements on justice and opposition to austerity, failure of developing a new development framework political representation and political systems, (UNV) building on the Millennium Development global justice and human rights.6 It noted Goals (MDGs).4 However, civil that the increase in the number society is now more diverse and diversity7 of protests A 2009 United Nations Conference on Trade than ever, ranging from are “a result of people’s and Development (UNCTAD)/Non-Governmen- organised groups to huge growing awareness that tal Liaison Service (NGLS) publication posed movements and vari- policy-making has not the question: “The UN and civil society: Who is ous forms of non-for- prioritized them.” missing and why does it matter?” The publica- mal mass action. This tion went on to call for the direct involvement of brings with it unpar- A changed civil society peoples’ movements to add to the existing con- alleled power and context was also illus- tributions of established civil society organisa- possibilities, but also trated by the findings of tions (CSOs) to the work of the United Nations.1 complexities. It makes the Civil Society at Cross- it harder to work with a roads research project, This contribution reflects on the evolving con- representative cross-sec- which found different forms text and importance of inclusive citizen engage- tion of civil society, but brings of organising among civil soci- ment for successful work in the multilateral with it opportunities for innova- ety players – reflected in different arena. It then focuses on opportunities that tive solutions that can potentially trans- forms of engagement, expression and inno- can be capitalised on and challenges that need form citizen-state relations. vation – requiring realigned relationships to be addressed to better include volunteer nationally and internationally as a result of groups as part of broader civil society efforts to A 2013 World Economic Forum report noted blurred North-South boundaries.8 Achieving achieve people-centred development through how “networked citizens have started to representativeness of civil society and citizen multilateral arenas, with a particular focus on change the interface and expectations of voice in governance processes is complex and the post-2015 process.2 This paper draws upon civil society empowerment.” It highlighted cannot simply rely on including organised civil the insights of 13 interviewees from CSOs, vol- different forms of citizen expression and society as a proxy.9 As the 2011 CIVICUS Civil unteer groups and intergovernmental organisa- participation over recent years, including Society Index (CSI) summary report noted: tions.3 uprisings in the Middle East and North “CSOs are in danger of being seen as urban, 163 State of Civil Society / From Rio+20 to Beyond 2015 elitist institutions, disconnected from their volunteerism can play, alongside broader civil nities. However there is some resistance on constituencies.”10 However, there are new and society efforts, to achieve people-centred the basis that volunteer groups don’t bring broader alliances that can also emerge with development. a separate policy angle new powers to influence change, for example, to the intergovernmen- the anti-corruption movement in India.11 However, perceptions tal process. They are from people in civil “In terms of also in a sense part of The importance of creating an enabling envi- society about the con- the work of all Major ronment that can respond to new forms of tributions of volunteers multilateral Groups.15 However, civic engagement in sustainable development and volunteer groups they are also a conduit is now widely acknowledged. The 2013 Report are mixed. As one inter- engagement, for decisions bringing of the UN Secretary-General on accelerating viewee reflected: community voice to progress for the MDGs and advancing beyond interviewees from the table and convey- 2015 said: “The world’s quest for dignity, “Volunteers provide ing back decisions also, peace, prosperity, justice, sustainability and an closeness to the issues CSOs and volunteer and in this way owner- end to poverty has reached an unprecedented and what’s going on. ship and accountability moment of urgency.”12 It acknowledged that However volunteering groups suggested at a community level is to achieve that: “People across the world are is a framework that enhanced.” demanding more responsive governments and isn’t commonly used that the quality better governance and rights at all levels.”13 – it’s seen as unpaid This suggests there is work. This makes it of opportunities a need for more clarity The summary report from post-2015 harder to find common on the purpose and role consultations, “A Million Voices,” also purpose with other have been of volunteer groups. made citizen expectations clear: “The CSO groups, where the The terms volunteer- consultations have revealed a huge appetite language is deliber- mixed.” ing, volunteerism and and demand for involvement not only in the ately not used for polit- voluntary activities design of the development agenda, but also ical reasons. Because refer to a wide range in its future implementation.”14 of that the concepts of activities, including behind it need more explanation.” traditional forms of mutual aid and self-help, Civil society and the formal service delivery and other forms of need to recognise the Another interviewee in the multilateral arena civic participation, undertaken of free will, for role of volunteerism went further, saying: the general public good, and where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.16 It is in this global context that we suggest there “We engage with organisations, not citizens; Within this conceptual framework, at least is a need to understand the constructive and that’s why we are glad to bring in the volun- four different types of volunteer activity can complementary role volunteer groups and teer voice to broaden the voice of commu- be identified: “mutual aid or self-help; service 164 State of Civil Society / From Rio+20 to Beyond 2015 to others; participation or civic engagement; workers to differentiate those we recruit to in June 2011 by CSO representatives from 70 and advocacy or campaigning”. 17 work in development on the basis that they countries explicitly recognised the contribu- receive a basic stipend and are not volunteers tion of volunteers to development effective- This clear breadth of volunteer work under- - and won’t be confused with stereotypes of ness. The Framework was later referenced mines suggestions that volunteerism is or volunteers.” in the Busan Partnership for Effective Devel- should be simply about service delivery and opment Cooperation, adopted by the Fourth shows volunteer work can also be oriented Partly in response to such attitudes, the term High-level Forum on Aid Effectiveness.22 towards achieving change, for example, volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) has through advocacy or social activism18 and been devised. It includes many groups, not Numerous volunteer groups were active in the through engagement in governance pro- all of which are within civil society, that organisation and content of the 2011 UN DPI/ cesses.19 The power of volunteer- actively engage volunteers in their NGO conference on the theme of “Sustaina- ism is related to its values of work, but do not consciously ble Societies, Responsive Citizens.” There was solidarity, reciprocity, social highlight volunteers as an some debate in this process about the extent inclusion, social cohe- explicit and visible part of to which volunteerism and volunteer groups sion, empowerment and their work. needed explicit recognition, as opposed to individual and societal implicit inclusion, as part of citizens’ and civil well-being.20 There are some recent society groups’ approaches to sustainable advances in recogni- development. This was particularly noticea- The engagement of tion of the role of vol- ble in the approach of environmental organ- volunteers in the work unteerism in CSO work, isations compared to more socially-oriented of civil society is more including in the Inter- organisations. It was therefore a leap forward frequently referred to as national Framework for that discussions and working together led to participation, mobilisation CSO Development Effective- a mutual understanding and recognition that or civic engagement than ness, the 2008-2011 CSI find- people volunteering their time in both kinds of volunteering. This partly reflects the ings, the 2011 UN Department of organisation form a fundamental base of cit- levels of professionalisation many CSOs have Public Information (DPI) Non-Governmen- izen engagement for sustainability. The final adopted over the last 20 years, partly in order tal Organizations (NGO) conference, the out- declaration was adopted by 1,300 civil society to maintain funding and credibility. However,
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