Global Day of Citizen Action-2016 has been observed here at Ganjam Kala Parishad by Youth for Social Development (YSD) along with other civil society groups and CIVICUS a world alliance for citizen participation. This day has been observed around the world to protect the rights of citizens’ and create civic space for progressive dialogue with government.
In many parts of India civic spaces are now under threat. It makes citizens and civil society groups voice slow down, restrict citizen’s freedom, make operations or financing for civil society groups difficult; increased the surveillance of ordinary citizens, activists and civil society organisations. Civil society also faces threats from non-state actors, including powerful corporate entities, extremist right- wing and fundamentalist groups.
The Global Day of Citizen Action-2016 is global events that takes place on Saturday, May 14th where ordinary citizens will tell us whether they feel free to speak out organise and take action. By participating, citizen’s help us understand what’s happening in your country and help us create awareness about the importance of `civic space’. Civic space exists when individuals and organisations have the freedom to speak out, organise and take action. In other words, to freely express, associate and assemble. The objective is to get people thinking about ‘civic space’, understanding their rights, increasing awareness about the importance of civic space and our need to monitor and protect it. This has given priority in the ‘Sustainable Development Goal’ set by the governments around the world.
Indian civil society today, standing in solidarity with India’s most marginalized communities, with the NGO sector and donors who support us, affirmed by the guiding principles of our Constitution – justice, equality and liberty. NGOs work both in the welfare sector and in empowering people to be aware of and enforce their rights as enshrined in our Constitution. Such action may include questioning and protesting decisions taken by government in many areas. This work is both our right and our responsibility as civil society actors in a democratic nation. Indeed the Indian government acknowledged this.
Therefore as a civil society actors we demand
- Put an end to coercive actions against NGOs, civil society and donors, without reasonable cause or due process, or seek to cripple the ability of these organisations to carry on their legitimate and sanctioned work.
- Initiate an immediate dialogue between the NGO sector and Government to address our concerns going forward. Amend the presently opaque FCRA rules and regulations; ensure complete clarity and transparency on provisions and processes, as well as forums and mechanisms of redress; remove all provisions that are amenable to subjective interpretation; ensure their uniform application to all NGOs, trusts, foundations, and societies.
To help raise our voice, Youth for Social Development (YSD), a local NGO working on governance, citizen participation, transparency and accountability in Odisha, with CIVICUS a world alliance for citizen participation have joined with other civil society and NGOs in Ganjam, that asks world leaders to set a range of goals that can really change lives and make a difference to all people and our planet and get involved and be sure to hold your government accountable for the promises it makes.
In this occasion more than 20 civil society organisations, 6 activists, more than 100 citizens including women, youth gathered to raise voice to create civic space. Two panel discussions held one, on civic voice in Odisha, India and second, on role of NGOs in development of Ganjam. In this occasion Pradeep Pradhan, Advisor to National Human Rights Commission on Right to Food, Dhirendra Panda, Human Rights Activist, Bhala Chandra Sadangi, Political Activist, Sudarshan Chhotaray, Social Activist joined as resource person and share their views in rights of the citizen and their voice, on the other hand Mangaraj Panda, United Artist Association, Lokanath Misra, ARUNA, Brundaban Panda, GPSS, Rabindra Pradhan, ISARA, Alaka Sahu, SEVA and Ranjita Das, LIPIKA have shared their views how the NGOs has contributed to the development of Ganjam district, empowering people and support government to reach to the ultra poor section of the society. Bibhu Prasad Sahu of Youth for Social Development has coordinated the workshop.
A workshop, panel discussion, signature campaign and a peaceful protest organised in Ganjam Kala Parishad, Utkal Ashram Road, Berhampur.