Improving Civil Society and State Relations

This article is an attempt to encourage discussion among the Zimbabwe government and civil society groups regarding the ways in which they might work together for common good. To promote socio-economic transformation based on democracy, human rights, and development. The three elements can in many circumstances reinforce each other. The relationship among them should be seen as one of synergy rather than mutual antagonism.

The following propositions provide the basis for the analysis.

-The risks and opportunities of an integrated approach are a global challenge. Civic society and government must find ways to strengthen and deepen the process of change.

-No clear-cut formulae exist which can guarantee results for any country. Current political and economic conditions, historical processes, cultural values are among the factors which shape how, in what sequence, and at what speeds a transformation process can be engaged.

The twin forces of change are reforms and the promotion of civil society. Though the two are complementary and ought to make both stronger, the processes used have reinforced the mutual suspicions previously harbored. The idea that the pursuit of DHRD is a zero-sum game between the government and civil society, rather than a significantly positive-sum one, continues to frustrate joint actions

Civil society has been assigned a vital role in the process of transformation, yet an enormous amount of creative work is required lest expectations are shattered. Few basic points need to be kept in mind.

 First, civil society is heterogeneous and just liable to produce weak or even perverse results as its government or external agencies. It would be na?ve to attribute qualities to an organization simply by virtue of its status as a civil society.

Second, it cannot replace the government either as the creator of an enabling environment or as a supplier of crucial services on a system basis. Civil society may function more or less well with the government.

Third, the extremely rapid shifts in external and internal circumstances ensure that the structure and methods of operation of civil society will themselves be constantly modified to undergoes reform.

 Fourth, there are unprecedented opportunities for civil society groups both old and new to exchange experiences and work together-the epoch shaping events within the country offer a unique geopolitical context to seize options.

Civil society needs to develop a broad range of political skills in order to survive and achieve impact in the policy arena. Identifying and building alliances with key players in the policymaking process ensures that civil society issues and concerns are considered in the policy formation process.

Additionally, key allies assist in championing civil society agendas through the policy process as well as providing useful information from the government not accessible to non-governmental organizations. While many organizations have the capacity to build alliances, they do not have formal and systematic approaches to engaging in policy advocacy. Many activities occur on an ad hoc basis.

 In spite of a few successes, many civic groups do not have skilled policy advocates or lobbyists. Until NGOs’ policy advocacy capacity evolves, their policy influence will depend on the personal interest and influence of individual NGO leaders plus the de facto influence on sector policies that NGOs may exert in the course of their operations.

Policy advocacy demands that NGOs present policymakers with thoroughly researched, analyzed, and well documented empirical data in order to effectively influence policy direction. Traditionally, the strategies employed by NGOs have involved issuing emotionally-packed statements criticizing government policies deemed ineffective or detrimental to their constituencies.

This can be characterized as an emotionalist approach to policy advocacy. Whilst the statements are needed, they are not adequate in influencing policy. It is quite easy to criticize government policies without providing alternative policies. Providing constructive suggestions through alternative policies demand a different way of thinking and working. Policy advocacy demands that NGOs present policymakers with empirical data and suggested policy alternatives.

As Zimbabwe Administration continues to struggle on many fronts vacuum in power and policy-making structures are inevitable. Civil society institutions such as grassroots organizations and movements, civic education, policy research and analysis, and policy advocacy are ideally suited to stepping in and filling major portions of those voids.

Citizen influence on the modern democratic state most often occurs through social organizations demanding government responsiveness to member concerns. These organizations and their interaction with the government constitute the core of modern civil society.

It is not too late for the government to reaffirm its commitment to democracy, fundamental human rights, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and just and honest government, as essential ingredients of the country’s political values.

-To stress that democracy, development, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms were interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

--To reaffirm that women’s rights are an integral and indivisible part of human rights and support the principles embodied in the Vienna Declaration, Maputo, Malabo, and SADC Protocols and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.