Civil Society Excellence: A Framework for Analysis Dr. Susan Phillips School of Public Policy & Administration Carleton University Ottawa, Canada

How do we compare such diverse experiences? Consider Why Now? Consider Why Now? Considerations for: Considerations for: –Process –Document –Implementation –Looking Beyond What is success? What is success?

Why Now? Policy Transfer (copied each other) Policy Transfer (copied each other) True, but more than that: True, but more than that: Relates to a new vision of citizenship Relates to a new vision of citizenship

Citizenship Mix of Responsibilities Mix of Responsibilities –State, market, civil society, family Rights & Responsibilities Rights & Responsibilities Representation/Access to Political Process Representation/Access to Political Process Sense of Belonging Sense of Belonging

Civil Society Family Market State Responsibility Mix

Role of Civil Society/Voluntary Sector Enable claims to be made Enable claims to be made Sites of democracy Sites of democracy Help determine responsibility mix Help determine responsibility mix Expand (contract) inclusion Expand (contract) inclusion

Bottom-up & Top-down Civil society: Civil society: –Change from charity to empowered civil society –Greater mix of service & political roles Government Government –Shift from government to ‘governance’ Need for real partnership Need for real partnership

Embracing Citizenship To be effective, agreements need to embody a concept/vision of a new citizenship To be effective, agreements need to embody a concept/vision of a new citizenship

Agreements / Strategies are: State of mind State of mind Document Document Process – before and after Process – before and after

Considerations Does it matter who participates? Does it matter who participates? –YES, as it shapes the vision Does it matter who signs? Does it matter who signs? –Depends on need for legitimacy and durability

Document: Key Elements Autonomy / Recognition Autonomy / Recognition Participation / Right to Advocacy Participation / Right to Advocacy Sustainability (funding) Sustainability (funding) Inclusion Inclusion

Implementation Communicate Communicate Monitor and Evaluate Monitor and Evaluate –Adherence –State of the Relationship Requires: Requires: –Joint mechanisms –Unit in government with clout –Infrastructure organizations

Implementation Accountability – Give an Account Accountability – Give an Account –Public Reporting Repair Problems – Hold to Account Repair Problems – Hold to Account –Vest Accountability –Dispute Resolution

Mechanisms to Move Forward Capacity to develop and carry out an action plan for improving the relationship and addressing outstanding issues Capacity to develop and carry out an action plan for improving the relationship and addressing outstanding issues Necessarily a joint process Necessarily a joint process

Affect Positive Spillovers To Other Levels To Other Levels –By requirement or by learning To Deal with Related Issues To Deal with Related Issues –E.g. contracting, citizen engagement

What is Success? Changed practices of citizenship & stronger relationship Changed practices of citizenship & stronger relationship Process & machinery to keep reviewing the relationship Process & machinery to keep reviewing the relationship Stronger more inclusive, active civil society and legitimate, participatory government Stronger more inclusive, active civil society and legitimate, participatory government Not one way to get there, but we have much to learn from each other Not one way to get there, but we have much to learn from each other

Contact Information Dr. Susan Phillips School of Public Policy & Administration Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario, Canada