Civil Society and Development: A Re-conceptualization?

Civil society is frequently promoted as an integral player for democratic development, the establishment of good governance, and the promotion of human rights. The objective of this talk is to assess the dynamic arena of civil society by addressing the issues related to: (a) the presence of both civil and ‘uncivil’ groups, (b) the impact of time on the objectives and actions of both groups, (c) the groups’ straddling strategies between the civil and ‘uncivil’ spaces, and (d) the dichotomy between the locals' definition of civil society and that of international donors. The discussion will conclude with recommendations that are expected to help donors and aid actors avoid developing civil society programming that is disassociated from the realities of the various societies they intend to assist.

PRESENTER:

Ruby Dagher
PhD Candidate, School of Public Policy and Administration