What constitute Civil Society Actors...
Recently, I have the opportunity to engage in a discussion among the local and national NGOs and community representatives who came together to discuss and prepare to engage in a government-led platform for consultative meeting. The content of the discussion was a vitally important to the treasured natural resources and consequential impacts on the livelihood of many million people who rely on this resource. What amazed me was the core question I raised in this headline: What constitutes civil society actors which lead me to subsequently reflect and reconsider. The so-called "consultative" meeting is widely believed to be a 'mere' process to legitimize the government position on the controversial issue. Yet, the government body has invited civil society and community to join the 'meeting' to voice out their concerns and position. The discussion come down to whether 'we' - as the group put it - should participate or just be there to observe - a way t...