Policy Paper
Executive Summary
Civil society organizations and civil society
in general in Russia are often
perceived by authorities
as a “black box”. More precisely, the problem lies (1) in the limited
character
of feedback with various social groups; (2) there is not enough clarity
regarding the role and importance of the “third sector” in societal
development; (3) there is no clear understanding of the various forms
of
interaction with a variety of civil society organizations at the level
of
federal ministries and governmental agencies and at the regional level;
(4)
laws and regulatory acts in the sphere of civil society engagement are
not
always matched by practice; (5) protest forms of public participation
dominate
others (for example, protest voting, actions of protest), which are
mixed by
contrast political apathy of citizens (for example, low turnout at
elections). [1]
A well-thought and effective civic engagement policy exists, but still more has to be done in linking this with practice of international institutions, operating in Russia. Both policy and practice of civic engagement is necessary for Russian executive authorities in order to raise the efficiency of social and economic reforms and national projects by taking into consideration interests of various social and interest groups, obtaining feedback from the society for minimizing political mistakes, as well as development of effective cooperation with civil society organizations.
The present policy paper and the research
behind it, carried out in the frame of the International Policy
Fellowships of
the Open Society Institute, touches upon the policy options for
implementation
of an efficient civic engagement policy in Russia by the World bank
(WB),
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) – international
financial institutions (IFIs) that play an important role in global
economic
governance. These institutions developed comprehensive policy documents
on
civic engagement for a successful implementation of structural reforms
and
concrete projects, undertaken with their financial and consultative
support. [2]
Both formal and informal civic engagement policies of the WB and EBRD are tasks to make civic engagement principles open and clear, contribute to better public awareness, understanding and public support of concrete strategies of economic development and reforms, as well as serve as a feedback to managers and politicians.
International financial institutions, the Government of the Russian Federation and civil society organizations are working to solve common tasks and are to respond to the new challenges that require a comprehensive cross-sectoral approach, cooperation among various governmental (federal ministries and agencies of the RF, regional executive authorities), supranational (the WB, EBRD and other) and non-governmental (civil society organizations) institutions. Civil society organizations are among those concerned and working to find solutions to the modern challenges of social-economic development of Russia.
Civic engagement is implemented both with the view to raise efficiency of social and economic reforms and national programs, and with a view to identify common national values for consolidation of the society and legitimating authorities. The conclusions of the policy paper and the research are based on the values of participatory democracy, based on the power with authority and legitimacy, which takes into consideration various social interests and seeks to provide for social justice, public participation and guarantee human rights.
The desirable policy option is formalization and
institutionalization of the civic engagement process (for example in
the form
of a concept of “public contract/compact”), based on clear open and
understandable criteria, and shared by all actors in the process:<>
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