Homework for Copenhagen (2)<\/p>\n
By Mely G. Tan<\/p>\n
This is the second of two articles on the what, who and how to
\naddress some of the issues discussed at the Copenhagen summit.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Now about civil society. I have not made as
\nthorough a count of the times this term was mentioned in the
\ndocuments as I did with women, but there are strong references
\nabout the imperative of partnership between government, civil
\nsociety and the private sector, especially in the implementation
\nof the Program of Action. For instance, in chapter 5 on
\nImplementation and follow-up, section B is entirely on
\n\"involvement of civil society\". What \"civil society\" refers to is
\nspelled out in the \"chapeau\" of this section \"Effective
\nImplementation of the Declaration and Program of Action of the
\nSummit requires strengthening community organizations and non-
\nprofit non-governmental organizations in the sphere of education,
\nhealth, poverty, social integration, human rights, improvement of
\nthe quality of life, relief and rehabilitation, enabling them to
\nparticipate constructively in policy-making, and implementation\".<\/p>\n
We have taken care of the question \"what\", and it is now clear
\nwho the \"who\" are. These are the government in partnership with
\nall the organizations, groups and individuals in society
\nconcerned with the present and future condition of society, that
\nare not government, i.e. the civil society. As a matter of fact,
\none could say that the official Summit at the Bella Center was
\ndealing with the problems of social development at the macro
\nlevel, while the NGO forum at Holmen was dealing with the
\nproblems at the micro level. It is the civil society that is most
\nappropriate to bridge the two levels.<\/p>\n
Now we have come to the \"How\". As a matter of fact this
\nbridging process is already being done in Indonesia with some
\nNGOs participating in government projects on the grassroots
\nlevel, as for example the Bina Swadaya being involved in the
\nInpres Desa Tertinggal poverty program. There are also several
\nhealth NGOs working on family planning and quality of care
\nprograms, women's reproductive health, and advocacy as well as
\nlegal aid in matters such as labor disputes, disputes on land,
\nsexual harassment and violence against women.<\/p>\n
Thus, the activities involved in the implementation and
\nfollow-up of the Summit can be distinguished into two main
\ngroups: programs and research. More appropriate and effective
\nprograms will primarily be generated for the eradication of
\npoverty, creation of employment and promotion of social
\nintegration. However, for programs to be relevant and effective
\nit would be necessary to have an assessment of what has already
\nbeen done or is still being done and the impact of these
\nprograms. This type of assessment is in the category of policy
\nresearch evaluating government policies and programs.<\/p>\n
Another type of research has to do with the knowledge,
\nunderstanding and explanation of the causes and consequences of
\nthe persistence of poverty, unemployment and underemployment, and
\nthe incidence, causes and consequences of social disintegration.
\nIt will also be necessary to study the policies, and conditions
\nfavorable for an enabling environment for social development,
\nfocusing on the economic, political, legal, cultural environment
\non the national and international level. In other words, we need
\nto formulate a research agenda.<\/p>\n
Finally, mechanisms should be formulated for an assessment of
\nthe implementation and follow-up that will refer to institution
\nbuilding, international cooperation and financial assistance, and
\nmechanisms for the monitoring and periodic assessment of the
\nimplementation of the outcome of the Summit.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, the office of the Coordinating Minister for
\nPeople's Welfare is in charge of the coordination of the
\nactivities involved in the implementation and follow-up of the
\nSummit. A meeting was held on April 13, 1995, with the minister
\npresent, and it was agreed to set up a national task force that
\nwill start with identifying and formulating the activities to be
\ndone.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mely G. Tan was a member of the official Indonesian
\ndelegation (as a representative of the Bina Swadaya Foundation)
\nat the Summit and prior to that at the Prepcom III in New York in
\nJanuary 1995. She is a senior researcher with the Indonesian
\nInstitute of Sciences.<\/p>",
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