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Title	The role of civil society in a pluralist democracy
Author	Cyril Ritchie, the Council of Europe
Description	«The role of civil society in a pluralist democracy»: Statement by Cyril Ritchie, President of the INGO Grouping « Civil Society and Democracy in Europe » of the Council of Europe, Conference of International NGOs, Workshop, Vadul-lui-Voda, Moldova
Contents We have just been shown a Council of Europe film whose title « A Europe of Human Values » epitomizes the theme on which I will speak. The film touched upon a number of areas where the Council of Europe is particularly active – and particularly useful - such as the protection and promotion of human rights, including of course women's rights, children's rights, and the rights of minorities. The film also illustrated the prevention of torture, the instruments of democracy, the freedom of the media, the promotion of social justice. All of these are vital human values, and they are at the core of a pluralist democracy. During the course of the participants' presentations at the beginning of this Workshop, mention was made of several other values and activities that are also central to a pluralist democracy: for example involvement in education and culture, in protection of the environment, in serving people with disabilities. What we have had confirmed through these various presentations is that civil society is indeed central to the strengthening and expansion of those human values that are themselves inextricably part of pluralist democracy. Civil Society Organizations are engaged year-round in advocating, defending and promoting these different human values. Moreover CSOs provide services to vulnerable populations; to the youth and the elderly; to professional and also informal groups active in the health sphere, in the workplace, in training institutions, in kindergartens, in sports arenas and many more habitats where people live out their lives. This diversity is a matter for pride, in that where human values are under threat or are neglected, civil society is active across a vast range of domaines to promote, defend and enlarge fundamental liberties and pluralist democracy. It should be noted that all these activities are inherently « political ». Not in the sense of an engagement in party or partisan politics, but in a context of « acting in the public interest ». Taking steps to improve the human condition, to create or restore rights, to raise people out of poverty, all these are by definition political. Promoting social justice is political, conserving the environment is political, and we should take pride in undertaking such actions whose purpose is to improve the lives of citizens. At the level of the Council of Europe, civil society's structured engagement in the promotion of pluralist democracy is reflected in the Conference of International NGOs, grouping some 400 INGOs. There are regular INGO meetings, grouped around such themes as gender equality, education and culture, sustainable development, social action, health issues. In 2003 the CoE Committee of Ministers upgraded the INGOs Consultative Status to Participatory Status and in consequence INGOs are ever more intimately involved with the governmental, parliamentarian and local authority pillars of the CoE in advocating, analysing, drafting and implementing the juridical and administrative instruments and practices that translate Human Values into operational down-to-earth procedures and measures that affect ordinary citizens as they go about their daily lives. This intense activity of the INGOs represented at the CoE naturally has its roots in national and local civil society organizations and initiatives, and it is vital that these interactions be both deepened and widened. For the growth and solidity of civil society throughout Europe, the CoE Committe of Ministers has only a few weeks ago adopted a most significant recommendation – CM/Rec(2007)14 – with the title « Recommendation on the legal status of NGOs in Europe ». In the introduction to this Recommendation, governments through the Committe of Ministers speak of « the essential contribution made by non-governmental organizations to the development and realisation of democracy and human rights, in particular through the promotion of public awareness, participation in public life and securing the transparency and accountability of public authorities ». This forward-looking – indeed inspirational – statement by governments is complemented a few lines later in the Recommendation by a declaration that « the contributions of NGOs are made through an extremely diverse body of activities which can range from acting as a vehicle for communication between different segments of society and public authorities, through the advocacy of changes in law and public policy, the provision of assistance to those in need, the elaboration of technical and professional standards, the monitoring of compliance with existing obligations under national and international law, and on to the provision of a means of personal fulfilment ». This new Recommendation is an opportunity and a challenge for all of us, both at international and national levels: new and higher standards are thereby created for us to live up to – and for governments to live up to. I encourage all NGOs to particularly study and act upon the Recommendation's sections that deal with Basic principles, with Objectives, with Public support, with Accountability, and with Participation in decision making. A quotation from the latter section of the Recommendation will round off my statement, for it constitutes a remarkable affirmation of the rôle of civil society in a pluralist democracy: « Governmental and quasi-governmental mechanisms at all levels should ensure the effective participation of NGOs without discrimination in dialogue and consultation on public policy objectives and decisions. Such participation should ensure the free expression of the diversity of people's opinions as to the functioning of society. This participation and co-operation should be facilitated by ensuring appropriate access to official information.» It is now up to competent and responsible civil society organizations to respond to this vibrant call, to ensure that these meaningful words are translated into action. The « participation and co-operation » that are so well emphasized in the text must now be implemented and monitored throughout Europe. Thus will pluralist democracy be consolidated and entrenched, to the benefit of all citizens.
Publication date	17-11-2007
Categories	Human rights and freedoms
Type ↓ ↓	Articles or papers
Contact information
First name and surname	Cyril Ritchie
Email	c.ritchie@fiig.org