Summary

Participants of the 2004 conference altered the focus of the conference in two notable ways. First, discussions moved from merely the analysis of global issues towards a consideration of processes available for addressing them through global governance. Secondly, after identifying the gaps between civil society and other global stakeholders, the conference provided a space for critical reflection on the scope of global civil society itself and the roles it can play in global governance.

The Process of Dialogue

The facilitation in workshops fostered inclusiveness and the potential for common ideas to emerge. The conference was driven by a belief that a structured and participatory approach to problem solving can bring new insights, broader ownership of the discussions, as well as deeper involvement and commitment to follow-up. The openness of the talks created a learning experience.

Workshops

Three workshops, based on pre-circulated position papers and hosted by a team of facilitators and experts, discussed (1.) the relationship between civil society and politics, (2.) civil society and global economy, and (3.) the gap between democracy and efficiency. The workshops produced brief reports identifying the problems discussed and outlining next steps to be taken.

1. Civil Society: Rights, Legitimacy, and Enabling Environments

Legitimacy of civil society comes from rights. The notion of rights - political and civil rights as well as economic, cultural, and social rights – provides legitimacy for the existence of civil society. Yet, it was recognized that these rights do not necessarily provide legitimacy for the actions or recommendations that arise from civil society. Participants also discussed the necessity of enabling the environment in which civil society can flourish.

As a result of the workshop on civil society and politics, a list of twenty components was compiled that constitute such an enabling environment for civil society. It was agreed that conditions such as freedom of information, having a culture of public association and social capital, and fostering the engagement of marginalized groups are not only a basis for civil society but are preconditions for robust democracy. Civil society was thus viewed as a crucial force of democratization. Those in the workshop agreed international institutions and national governments should cooperate with civil society organizations when making policy. Also, support for civil society should be recognized in a nation's fiscal policy.

However, some participants mentioned that civil society can be seen as a western concept not easily replicable in non-western cultures and environments. For instance, states with dysfunctional social structures and extreme poverty were discussed as examples of situations in which the very existence of civil society is in danger.

2. Global Governance: Trust, Leadership, and Participation

A crucial question facing global governance revolves around the need to react quickly and efficiently to growing global problems while ensuring democratic participation in designing the solutions. Participants agreed that leadership based on trust makes for the smooth functioning of global governance. Trust is what enables people to accept necessary, sometimes unpopular steps, while providing legitimacy to the institutions designed to implement them. Trust can be built only if the requirements of honesty, transparency, and accountability are met. Civil society is a crucial component in the foundation on which trust is built and leadership legitimized.

Regarding the issue of new leadership, a concrete proposal was brought, which several delegates agreed to pursue in their respective positions in the future. The proposal designs a structure for civil society to steer global governance. The goal of the proposal is to pressure nation states to deliver rapid action on global problems. Forum 2000 Foundation was urged to endorse the idea and possibly host the initial meeting of the new project.

Numerous questions regarding effective global problem solving were raised and remain unanswered. How can a global citizenship evolve that would hold nation states accountable to global problems? How can we hold accountable countries other than our own?

3. Global Economy: A Democratic and Ethical System

The relationship between civil society and global economy became the topic of the third workshop. The workshop set out to define what a democratic, ethical and sustainable economic system would look like. Basic human rights such as access to clean water, food, and a sustainable income were identified as crucial minimal components. Opportunities for education, medical, and social services were added to the basic requirements. Extra vigilance would be given to the protection of these rights for women and minorities. Then, the workshop suggested, political participation by the recipients of these requirements would soon to follow.

A key issue contested was the degree to which any system based on globally deregulated competition can ever deliver security and sustainability. While there were both value-based and analytical differences on this question, discussion centered on the hope and the likelihood that economic protectionism would increase. Therefore, the workshop recommended that a future conference should devote concerted energy on examining ways to protect human rights in order to sustain global economy.

Continuing discussion focused on fair trade and the extent to which consumer politics is central to an equitable and democratic economic system. Fears were expressed that consumer-based politics may obscure the responsibilities for fair trade that are incontrovertibly born by the government and international organizations. Therefore, those involved the workshop proposed that all products should be labeled in ways that make transparent the chain between producer and consumer. Goods should reveal information about the profit distribution of the retail price (i.e., what percentage of the price goes to the seamstress, how much to the corporation whose name the article carries, how much to the distributor, etc) in addition to carrying information about the labor conditions in which they were made. In this way, individual consumers can enact their own ethical choices. Also, decision makers in business and government institutions would have the opportunity to make more informed decisions about what and who to support.

Issues Agreed on in All Three Workshops

Civil society as a source of legitimacy

Civil society is a source of soft power. It has a role in legitimizing or de-legitimizing current institutions and processes. A question of deeper involvement of civil society in global governance was widely seen as a project in which increasingly more political capital should be invested on national and international levels. It was also agreed that if governance is to effectively address pressing global problems, it will have to adopt some of the characteristics of civil society such as its flexibility, mobilizing potential, and horizontal structure. Already, new leaders in governments, international organizations, and business are consulting civil society to improve their performance and legitimacy.

Accountability to social and economic rights

Human rights, and in particular economic and social rights, stand at the center stage of global governance. Civil society can flourish in an environment not only where basic political freedoms are met, but also where economic security and social responsibility are ensured.

Transparency and self-reflection

While participants called for improvements in both national and international political environments, numerous concerns were voiced towards civil society organizations as well. It has been noted that civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations should improve their accountability and transparency standards. The critique civil society properly generates should be matched by a corresponding measure of self-reflection.