Civil Society @ Crossroads: Energising Youth to Build Participatory Democracy

The world today is faced with crisis like never before. The co-existence of social, economic and political problems, globally and locally, are posing crucial sustainability questions to our present existence and future survival. It is recognised that global solutions (such as SDGs) are possible only with local support and implementation. Civil society is in a position to understand the impact of global and state policies at the community level. Civil society mobilises public opinion and people’s participation in the social, political and economic canvas in order to sustain a just and equitable social order. The potential and impact of civil society, which includes the youth, in affecting change is vital.

Yet, civil society itself is at a cross-roads. Over the past few years, civil society in many countries has been adding their voice, and the concerns and aspirations of ordinary citizens to public policy discourse, implementation and monitoring of government programs in a number of areas. But this space for civil society has been shrinking, both globally and locally. Freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are under threat in almost all established democracies in the world.

What are the conditions under which civil society currently operates in different countries? How can civil society, at a global and local level, become more effective in these changed circumstances? How can youth, who form a large cohort in many democracies but are often accused of being apathetic to participating, be energised to promote meanings and expressions that can build participatory democracy for social change?

These are some of the questions addressed by Dr Tandon in his lecture at the University of Leicester on 14 September 2017.