"Role of Civil Society Organizations in post conflict Societies- The Case of Cyprus"

"Role of Civil Society Organizations in Post Conflict Societies- The Case of Cyprus"

Bulent Kanol PhDFounder and Executive Director of The Management Centre of the Mediterraneanbkanol@mc-med.eu

Institute of Development Policy and Management SED University of Manchester

14th November 2012

Global Trends of the late 20th Century: Free market principles and Economic liberalizationThe States have become less interventionist in economic activities (ie privatizations, deregulation etc)Multi-nationals/Trans-nationals are increasingly extending their influence and domination in the markets including those in developing and less developed countries-GlobalizationFictitious profits, and capital Rerserves of Banks, Financial Institutions and Real Estate companies but real Executive Salaries/dividends have grownTechnology and information revolution has accelerated

Technology and Globalization moving into fast trackAll societies need rapid reforms to adopt to fast track transition and global economic crisesThose advanced economies who could not adopt faced recession and social unrestThose less developed faced stagnation and bloody revolutions

The Changing Status of the StateMore active in monitoring, coordination and controlLess active in economic and social fields which are taken over by Private sector and the CSOs

Changing dynamics of Private sectorMore Corporate Social ResponsibilityMore SME orientationMore EntrepreneurshipLess juggernauts (J. K Galbraith,1972)Changing Role of the Civil Society SectorIntroduction of the Service Providing CSOsInclusion of CSOs to Decision Making

How do we Define Civil Society?

Civil societyis the arena outside of the family, the state, and the market where people associate toadvance common interests (CIVICUS: CSI Index Report for Cyprus 2005).Civil Society OrganizationsMembership Based interest OrganizationsBusiness AssociationsTrade UnionsRights Based Advocacy OrganizationsGender- Environment-Human RightsService Providing Non-ProfitsCapacity Building-Training-consultingThink tanksHealth and educational services

The Management Centre of the Mediterranean Founded by the Cyprus Turkish Association of Managers.

It was incorporated as a Non-Profit Organization in December 2003 and named as The Management Centre of the Mediterranean (MCM).

The MCM was originally funded by the UNDP in Cyprus and UNDP continues to fund some of the projects.

VISIONA pioneering institution providing professional management and sustainable development services at international standards

MissionManaging Change For Sustainable DevelopmentContributing to the strengthening of Civil Society as a vital force engaged in advocacy, policy making and reconciliation processes Supporting civil society organizations through capacity building and project management Providing management and institutional development services Providing vocational training, work based learning and professional development for a more effective workforce Supporting economic development by research, analysis and policy recommendations Promoting European and International norms and best-practices ProgrammesCivil Society and Reconciliation

Institutional and Professional DevelopmentProjects: CS&RENGAGE Do your part for PeaceBi-communal Media Training Youth Camp (2011)Capacity Building and Training CSO Leaders in Azerbaijan (2009-2011)Networking with the European Union (2009-2011)Independent Media Centre (2009-2011)The Diversity Initiative (2007-2008)Environmental Education and Technology Integration (ENVETI) (2007-2008)Cypriot Civil Society Strengthening Programme (2007-2009)Monitoring and Evaluating the State of the Rights to European Active Citizenship (2007)Presidency Fund (2007-2008)Dissemination and Follow-up to the CIVICUS: CSI Study (2006-2007)Cyprus Island-wide CSO Directory (2006-2007)Projects: IPDShaping The Future of Dikmen Municipal AreaTraining of the Middle ManagersCapacity Development of Vocational Training TeachersFunctionsTraining

Consulting

ResearchTraining ServicesMarketing and SalesMS Office and Computer ApplicationsComputer Aided AccountingOffice Management and Effective SecretaryResearch ServicesResearch into Social,Organizational and economic developmentSocial and Public Opinion PollsCustomer Satisfaction SurveyProduct/Service Oriented ResearchMedia ResearchCorporate and Brand Images

Consulting ServicesManagement Standards ConsultancyManagement ConsultancyStrategic Planning and ManagementProject DevelopmentRisk ManagementCE MarkingEconomic Development ProjectsEconomic Research ServicesService UnitsResearch CentreVoluntary CentreIndependent Media CentreInstitute of Communication and LanguagesMission Driven Non-Profit Organization

Case Study: Active Dialogue Networks Facilitating a way forward in CyprusThe ENGAGE project which is implemented by the Management Centre of the Mediterranean (A Turkish Cypriot NGO) and the NGO Support Centre in Cyprus (A Greek Cypriot NGO) aimsWider outreach and public engagement for reconciliation; and,Enhanced advocacy efforts for reconciliation through the involvement of key people

Engage Phase 1CIVICUS CSI Index StudySmall Grants ProgrammeBuilding Structures of Cooperation (Networks)Public Awareness CampaignGap AnalysisGap 1: Public information on reconciliationGap2: Public involvement in reconciliation effortsGap 3: Synergies between Civil Society and the Public and Private SectorsGap 4: Impact of Civil Society on policy making Intervention ToolsActive Dialogue Networks Supported by a Small Grant ProgrammeEngage on The MoveActive Citizenship CampaignThematic Areas of ADNsGender and DiversityPeace and ReconciliationSustainable DevelopmentCivil Society Profiling and GovernanceMulti sector composition of ADNsCSO leadersAcademicsPrivate sector representativesLocal authority representativesMediaMethodology of ADNsBicommunal ADN workshopComposition of Core GroupMonocommunal ADNS (4-5 in each community)Consolidating Bi-communal workshopPrioritising main issuesWriting the policy papersSupport civil initiatives with Small Grants Round table with Policy and opinion makersOne to one meetings with Decision MakersMethodology of Engage on the MoveUse the output of ADNs to produce promotional materialsParticipate in mainstream popular festivals and events around the island and specifically in rural areasOrganize awareness activities around ADN themes Methodology of Active Citizenship CampaignUse the mainstream media to promote citizen engagement by way of TV programmes and newspaper articlesUse the social media to be involved in community issues and specifically to do with the 4 ADN themes Organize public events such as CSO Fairs to promote active citizenshipThank you for your attention!Contact me:bkanol@mc-med.eu

www.mc-med.eu