Identity, role and values of CSOs Antonio Tujan IBON Foundation Reality of Aid

Role of CSOs Role and responsibility of csos as development actors –The role of civil society as a pillar of good governance –Its role in providing effective delivery of development programs and operations –Its role in the social empowerment of particular groups and the realization of human rights. Social transformation As donors, as channels of assistance and as grassroots actors; as watchdogs

BUT WHAT DISTINGUISHES CSOS FROM GOVERNMENTS AND DONORS? WHY SHOULD THE AID EFFECTIVENESS AND PARIS PRINCIPLES APPLY TO CSOS IN A DIFFERENT WAY? WHY ARE CSOS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PARIS PROCESS?

Who are CSOs? all non-market and non-state organizations and structures in which people organize to pursue shared objectives and ideals Social solidarity as fundamental character of CSOs whether defined in various parameters, dimensions, concerns or divisions –Obvious in sectoral, thematic, issue-oriented, development csos –Addresses desired values of social responsibility, humanitarianism, volunteerism –Different dimensions of social solidarity –How to look at bringos, mongos, bongos, rongos –This should not be the basis to recognize or classify CSOs – origin, vested interest and performance

Who are CSOs? General categories of CSOs –Membership based CSOs –Cause oriented CSOs Various forms and objectives –Service oriented CSOs What defines service? Who are targets and beneficiaries?

Who are CSOs? Commonly held CSOs as essential feature of democracy as expression of people’s organized action in the public sphere or civil society as space Solidarity implies diversity and multiplicity, expression of diversity of peoples and their concerns; –not just tolerated but promoted and defended; coherence in csos as either paternalistic, orwellian or plain uninformed

CSOs and democracy Civil society as social space for citizen participation essential in the functioning of democracy Civil society as one of key pillars (executive, legislature, judiciary and media) Solidarity comingle with governance in public space – this essential feature of democracy as citizens/people act in the public interest as expression of solidarity as an essential interactor with governance, in the process honing and creating healthy governance mechanisms and practices –Criticism of csos vs govt as self appointed – does not understand democratic governance and essential role csos play in operationalizing democracy

Role of CSOs in empowerment Perspective from developing countries where democracy is not assumed – role of csos such as people’s movements and social movements in building democracy and realizing human rights; and honing governance through interaction Address exclusion - social empowerment of particular classes of society, such as the poor and dispossessed, women, ethnic groups, or other groups Democratic ownership and local ownership

Role of CSOs in delivery of services and development programs CSOs commonly recognized as auxiliary providers of services – mobilization of private funds, channels of public funds But their role as pillar of democracy and social empowerment and fundamental responsibility in social solidarity is the reason why CSOs actually have a distinct role in implementation of development programs and in development advocacy as a whole

Role of CSOs in delivery of services and development programs Varied roles and values principally in promotion of human rights and empowered development in development policy advocacy and in the actual implementation of development projects Role in monitoring and ensuring accountability to the people by government and donors in ODA and specific projects and programs

CSOs as part of aid architecture 1. Important donors on their own right –Quantity -Some foundations emerging as influential development actors –Quality – rights based approaches to development 2. Important channels of development aid 3. Key contributions in development assistance process –Monitoring and accountability –Policy dialogue –Grassroots participation