| NGLS's Civil Society Observer aims to keep readers informed of developments and specific topics related to NGOs and civil society, whether it be through the media; academic and scholarly discourse; civil society position papers or statements at multilateral meetings or events; or analysis and research originating from civil society. Special section: Post-Copenhagen More than three months have gone by since the Copenhagen Accord was adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-15) in Denmark last December, where differing opinions abounded as to whether the Conference had been a success or an outright failure. In the wake of Copenhagen, there has been frustration and confusion over how governments will be able to move forward on reaching a legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "The initial sentiment after Copenhagen was one of gloom. Two months after, things are not as gloomy as they look," UN climate chief, Yvo de Boer said at the 11th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum that took place on 24-26 February in Bali. "Many of the participants recognised there is a lack of confidence and a trust deficit after Copenhagen....To regain political momentum to restart the negotiations, the process must be open, transparent and inclusive." This section focuses on civil society perspectives and proposals to move beyond the Copenhagen Accord. Copenhagen De-briefing: An Analysis of COP15 for Long-term Cooperation
 This report looks back at the dynamics between developing and developed countries during the Climate Change debates in Copenhagen. It discusses various issues on the negotiating table, including institutional arrangements, financial requirements, and a number of mitigation mechanisms. Finally, the report concludes by discussing the Copenhagen Accord and analyzing its potential effect on future negotiations. Read More
The Copenhagen Accord - A first stab at deciphering the implications for the EU
This article tries to explain the different reactions that prevailed in the US and Europe regarding the Copenhagen Accord. It analyses the Accord and its implications in general, and more specifically for the European Union. More information is available here and also here. Obama's "Copenhagen Accord" – UNFCCC turns to WTO?
This article posits that in order to resolve the global climate crisis, the world must move from a competitive to a cooperative style of international relations. It argues that the Copenhagen Accord allows for unequal power dynamics. Read More After Copenhagen, the Way Forward
In this issue of South Bulletin, South Centre focuses on the way forward. It considers the new Accord, mitigation pledges, legal aspects, but also demands respect for multilateral processes. Read More Act Now to Meet The Post-Copenhagen Climate Emergency
This statement articulates the anger felt by civil society and social movements around the world regarding the process and outcomes of the Copenhagen Conference. It points out the flaws of the Accord and considers what needs to be done to salvage the situation and prevent climate injustice.Read More » Read also the related article:"Civil society calls for rejection of Copenhagen Accord Third World Network, 18 March 2010, by Meena Raman multilateral processes. Copenhagen 2009: Failure or final wake-up call for our leaders?
This analysis considers the Conference in terms of its "outcomes" and its success. It looks at some of the controversial events during the Conference, as well as relevant procedural issues, and proposes lessons for the way forward. Read More Copenhagen is a disaster for Africa
This article argues that the climate change deal is a disaster for Africa as it "will not ease the real life impact of climate change on Africa." Furthermore, the article notes that in Copenhagen, industrial nations have again successfully managed to divide African and developing countries, by co-opting the bigger developing countries, such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa, in private deals. Finally it calls on civil society from both the developed and developing countries to hold their governments accountable for what happened in Copenhagen and to provide the intellectual leadership that is needed. Read More. Read also: Catholic Aid Agencies say Climate Deal Spells doom for Poor Third World Network, 18 March 2010, by Meena Raman multilateral processes. Copenhagen: a successful failure
Although Copenhagen has been widely portrayed as a failure, Smith notes that it should also be perceived as an important milestone in the history of climate change negotiations and proposes four ways in which the Copenhagen Conference can be seen in a more positive light. Read More Adaptation under the Copenhagen Accord
In this Briefing Note, the author argues that from an adaptation perspective, the Copenhagen Accord "rolls back the clock by re-forging the link between adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change and the potential impacts of response measures." Read More. Special section: Striving for Gender Equality From 1 to 12 March 2010, the UN Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) – the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to promote gender equality and the advancement of women – conducted its 54th session at UN headquarters. During this session, a fifteen year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (2000) took place, focusing on barriers to women's empowerment and upcoming challenges. The session concluded with the adoption of a declaration in which governments reaffirmed their commitment to the goals and objectives made fifteen years earlier. The Commission also adopted a number of resolutions – concerning gender equality and women's empowerment – which will be sent to the Economic and Social Council for adoption. Civil Society Statement: Concerning Beijing +15 process Review at Commission on the Status of Women
In this statement, civil society expresses deeply concern that the spaces for influencing decision making by women's organizations at the Beijing+15 Review have been significantly reduced, and note that the adopted declaration at the session "represents a backward step." Read More. The New Times for Women
In this original, but "fake" newspaper, the GEAR campaign is advocating for the implementation of a new UN gender entity according to civil society perspectives. It indirectly demands, for example, civil society participation in proposing candidates for the new Executive Director of the entity. In addition, it argues for a 1 billion dollar budget for the new entity, which is double the amount UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced in his "Comprehensive proposal for the composite entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women" (A/64/588) in January 2010. Read More. From Beijing to Brussels: an unfinished journey
The EWL examines the progress made at the EU level towards the full implementation of the 12 critical areas of concern identified in the Beijing Platform for Action over the previous five years. The report identifies critical gaps and provides concrete recommendations to further enhance gender equality within the EU.Read More. Expanding Global Access to Female and Male Condoms
In this statement, more than 200 civil society organizations call upon governments to expand access to female and male condoms by dramatically increasing funding for their purchase, distribution, and program support at the country level; ensure comprehensive, rights-based programming to facilitate female and male condom uptake and sustained use; involve civil society, especially women's groups, in female and male condom policy and programme decision-making; and to invest in research and development of woman-initiated and controlled prevention methods, such as additional female condom products, microbicides, and vaccines." Read More. Gender in the Malestream – Acceptance of Women and Gender Equality in Different United Nations Organisations
This article outlines changing approaches to women's issues and gender equality in the UN system both before and since the International Women's Year in 1975 and describes how different UN organizations followed up the recommendations made at the large global women's conferences. It finds that some progress was made; however, bureaucratic problems and resistance to change and to gender equality has slowed this process down. To download this article, click .here» Read also related articles published in Forum for Development Studies: * Integration of Women in Industrial Development – the Fate of the Issue in the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO by Bärbel Chambalu, 36(1) 2009, pp. 137-154; * Promoting the Status of Women in the UN System: Experiences from an Inside Journey by Torild Skard, No.2 – 2008; * Getting Our History Right: How Were the Equal Rights of Women and Men Included in the Charter of the United Nations? By Torild Skard. No. 1 – 2008. UN Commission on the Status of Women 2010
In the lead up to and during the of the Commission on the Status of Women, openDemocracy published articles and opinion pieces by Jane Gabriel, Editor of openDemocracy's 50.50 editorial initiative, Zohra Moosa, Women Rights Advisor at ActionAid, and guest writers. Some reflected on the former Beijing process, while others reported from the meeting grounds in New York on progress and challenges.here» In the press This section aims to demonstrate how the international press reflects opinions, work, achievements and challenges faced by civil society organizations, and to also highlight "global civil society." NGOs Demand Immediate End to EPAs
In this article, a regional African NGO network calls upon African governments not to sign any envisaged Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union as these agreements would not help development in Africa but would rather maintain unequal trade relations. For more information, click here. African NGOs call for Competitive Elections for the UN Human Rights Council
In a letter, a group of African NGOs urged African governments to support competition among African States for seats on the UN Human Rights Council. They also call for: greater transparency and representation within the selection process of candidates; increased monitoring of human rights records of States nominated to run; and for the avoidance of power politics, reciprocal agreements and vote trading. More information can be found here. NGOs Demand Transparency, Reforms in IDB
Ahead of the Inter-American Development Bank's annual meeting of its Board of Governors (19-23 March), civil society organizations were demanding greater transparency and accountability as well as structural Bank reforms. More information can be found here. Trends and Debates Trends and Debates focuses on academic publications on civil society issues that are (freely) available online. Civil Society and Peacebuilding
This Working Paper includes the findings of a comparative research that aimed to better understand the "performance of civil society" in peacebuilding processes. In particular it considers civil society's role in the protection, monitoring, advocacy, socialisation, social cohesion building, facilitation, and service delivery in various situations of war and armed conflict. The working paper can be found here. The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law
This volume of ICNL's Journal includes a special section on NGOs in the Political Realm, which addresses a global trend in governance to speak out against the engagement of NGOs in "political activities," justifying legal restrictions imposed on the NGO sector. The journal can be found here. In September 2009, ICNL also released its Global Trends in NGO Law, Volume 1 (3), entitled Barred from the Debate: Restrictions on NGO Public Policy, which addresses the issue of civil society's freedom of expression. It can be accessed by clicking on the following link. Speaking Out: Case studies on how poor people influence decision-making
This book was written in relation to Oxfam Great-Britain's global programme of work on "the right to be heard" and provides case studies on how the right to be heard can strengthen poor people's participation in public policy formulation and in holding decision-makers accountable. It addresses issues such as legal identities, citizenship, personal and collective power, transparency, accountability and responsiveness. The book can be found here. The Downfall of Simplicity and the 'Complex' Notion(s) of Democratization: A Revision of the relation between Political Society, Civil Society and Democratization
This special Interface issue builds upon "two related histories: the increase in the NGO sector from the 1980s on and the rebirth of social movements in the late 1980s." The article can be found here. "Civil society" versus social movements
This article analyses existing research on democratization processes, which are generally based on the notion that civil society or the political society or both are drivers for democratization. Based on this research, the author acknowledges that both civil and political society are important for democratization, however he argues that this idea that they are the main drivers is far too simplistic. The article can be found here. "CSOs: Status, Challenges and Democracy in the Arab World"
This paper argues that there are various missing dimensions in research discussions on civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Arab region. For example, research rarely attempts to evaluate CSOs' performance, vision, mission, strategies and impact in the region. Therefore, this paper highlights the main challenges CSOs in Arab region are facing, and identifies the missing dimensions in research efforts. The article can be found here. The United Nations and Civil Society. Legitimating Global Governance - Whose Voice?
This book argues that civil society can be a catalyst for change in global governance and provides a comprehensive analysis of UN engagement with civil society. With a focus on food and agriculture, it shows that civil society can have a politically meaningful space into UN policy dialogue. Key in this regard is that the UN engages with organizations which legitimately speak for the "poor." The book can be found here. CSOs AND THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM This section includes statements and position papers from civil society regarding multilateralism and covers differing views on the relation between multilateral institutions and civil society organizations. The impact of trade liberalization on the realization of human rights
In this letter, civil society is expressing concern on the persistent and obvious contradictions between the rhetoric of complementarity between human rights and trade liberalization, given the real outcomes of liberalization for people and communities around the world. In the interest of promoting the coherence between trade, development and human rights, civil society is asking the Director General of the WTO and Chair of the WTO General Council to agree to an independent and participatory "development and human rights audit" before proceeding with any further negotiations. The letter can be accessed here. Optimism for a new treaty to combat biopiracy
"Political momentum from developing and developed countries grows for a new United Nations treaty that promises to combat biopiracy and ensure that developing countries get their fair and equitable share of benefits from the use of biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge.". The article can be found here. Research and Analysis This section brings forward new research reports produced by civil society organizations themselves that address global issues. Impact of the Global Economic Crises on Civil Society Organizations
Based on a survey held among 640 civil society organizations worldwide, this report highlights how the food, environmental and economic crises have challenged civil society organizations (CSOs) and the communities they serve. It examines the current situation of CSOs and considers CSO strategies to cope with a decrease in financial resources. It also focuses on how to strengthen social-service delivery capacities of CSOs during crisis periods, and provides CSO recommendations in the context of national financial resources, official development assistance (ODA), and the international coordination of economic activities. The survey can be accessed here. A global database of civil society self-regulation initiatives
One World Trust has launched a global database of civil society self-regulatory initiatives around the world. It argues that "civil society organizations are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate their accountability, legitimacy and effectiveness." Therefore a growing number has joined forces "to define common standards and promote good practice through codes of conduct, certification schemes, reporting frameworks, directories and awards." More information can be found here. Compendium of International Legal Instruments and Other Commitments Concerning Core Civil Society Rights
One World Trust has launched a global database of civil society self-regulatory initiatives around the world. It argues that "civil society organizations are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate their accountability, legitimacy and effectiveness." Therefore a growing number has joined forces "to define common standards and promote good practice through codes of conduct, certification schemes, reporting frameworks, directories and awards." More information can be found here. Bringing Human Rights to Bear in Times of Crisis: A human rights analysis of government responses to the economic crisis
This study analyses where NGOs have been concentrating their campaigning resources and their priority issues and industries, both globally and by world region in the period November 2008 – October 2009, indicating changes in NGO focus and concentration. More information can be found here. Where Are NGOs Concentrating Their Campaigning Resources?
The Association for Women's Rights in Development, the Center of Concern, Center for Economic and Social Rights, the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Submission to the High-Level Segment of 13th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the global economic and financial crises, March 2010. This joint report provides views and recommendations to the 13th session of the Human Rights Council during its High-Level Segment on the impact of the global economic and financial crises to the realization of all human rights and on possible actions required to alleviate it. The report aims to deepen understanding of how governments have conducted themselves and how effective economic policies have been in defending and strengthening the enjoyment of human rights in a time of multiple and interlocking social and economic crises. More information can be found here. | 
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