Making a good society in Northern Ireland

Photo: Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive of NICVA (left) welcomes Lenka Setkova, Director, Democracy and Civil Society Programme, Carnegie UK Trust and

Geoff Mulgan, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society at the official Northern Ireland launch of the Making Good Society report, held today (24 May) at NICVA, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

The Commission, which was established by the Carnegie UK Trust, examined the threats and opportunities for civil society. The Commission’s fundamental argument is that civil society has a central role to play in responding to the triple crises of our time: those of political trust, economics and the environment.

From its consultation work in Ireland it found that, more than any other issue, those who took part were concerned about voicing dissent, sometimes because of the divisions that exist in Northern Ireland.  Ironically, however, these divisions have created an opportunity for the voluntary and community sector to play a larger role in shaping economic development and in the provision of services than anywhere else in the UK.

Inquiry Chair, Geoff Mulgan, said today:

“This report sets out a radical agenda to claim back power for civil society – calling for a definitive shift from doing things ‘to’ and ‘for’ people, to doing ‘with’.”

Noting the immense energy and potential of civil society on issues such as Fairtrade, the Haiti Disaster and Make Poverty History, Making Good Society says there should be a far greater role for civil society in these four key areas:  the economy; climate change; the media and democracy.

In launching the Inquiry Report, Commissioner and Chief Executive of NICVA, Seamus McAleavey said,
 
“The whole report is important in Northern Ireland, but in particular, growing a participative and deliberative democracy is critical.  We are in difficult economic and social times and we would benefit from a cultural shift to a more deliberate debate on the big issues. To get the best solutions to difficult issues we need people to push their heads above the parapet with their ideas.  The ideas then generate further debate, refinement and then action.”
 
In his introduction to the Inquiry Report, Commission Chair, Geoff Mulgan, said:
 
“By putting our report into the public domain, we hope that people involved in civil society, policy-makers and funders of civil society associations will be inspired by what is already being done by civil society in Ireland and the UK.  We also hope that they will feel compelled to act, support and engage in a way that supports civil society as we deal with the challenges of our world.” 
 
NICVA
NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action) is the representative and umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector of Northern Ireland.

Since its inception in 1938 NICVA has been committed to social change and community development, acting as a catalyst to promote innovation and new approaches to targeting need.  NICVA works for justice, equality and dignity throughout society by promoting opportunities for community participation in the essential decisions that affect the lives of people in Northern Ireland.
 
The Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society

The full report is now available at: www.futuresforcivilsociety.org
 
The Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society in the UK and Ireland was established in 2006 by the Carnegie UK Trust, which provided the secretariat for the Independent Commission, chaired by Geoff Mulgan.
 
The goals of the Inquiry Commission were to look ahead towards 2025 and to explore the possible threats to and opportunities for civil society; to identify ways in which policy and practice might strengthen civil society; and to enhance the ability of civil society associations to shape the future.
 
The full list of the Commissioners is as follows:
Geoff Mulgan (Chair); George Reid (Vice Chair); Richard Atkinson; Kay Carberry; Rajeeb Dey; James Doorley; Philomena de Lima; Seamus McAleavey; Joyce McMillan; Anna Nicholl;  Maeve Sherlock; Neil Sherlock; Jane Steele.
 
To find out more about the Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society in the UK and Ireland go to www.futuresforcivilsociety.org