Citizens for Change #14
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2022
Part of the results at the latest MCIC Survey Social Responsibility of Citizens sounded encouraging, especially the part that shows that there is an increase of the CSO membership. The data say that more than 1/3 of the citizens said that they were members of an organization. Out of this number, more are active (20.7%) than inactive (16.2%). Somebody would say that this is not a significant number, but compared to 2010 situation, when the total membership was 24.6% and there were active less than inactive (9.5% and 15.1% respectively), the change is visible.
As CSOs, we believe that what we do and the results that we achieve have influenced the decision of the citizens to become involved in our work. Maybe the citizens have not opted for an existing organization, maybe that have decided to establish a new association based on their interests, mobilizing in this way their fellow citizens or friends in order to come to the desired change. These figures do not cover the citizens that are active via informal initiatives. Formally or informally, it is important that they have in some way decided to articulate their interest in changes.
Why do we actually care so much about civic activism and active citizens? Probably because they are an indispensable part of every change that we strive to achieve. Those with experience say that one becomes an activist when he realizes that there is nobody to do something but you. In order to achieve the goal, they have to be optimists, be open for learning and have strong will to contribute. Civic activism is a serious matter and it requires a lot of time and will. However, what is especially important to understand is that activism is not something that only happens on the street. Indeed, it is where it is heard the most, but it also happens at home, in the office, when meeting friends over coffee and everywhere where we have the chance to put changes in motion. We should not be concerned if there are but a few of us in the beginning. Movements that have made changes also started with several individuals who had worked with dedication and knew how to mobilize the others to exercise pressure and make the change happen.
The main theme of this issue of Citizens for Change is civic activism or engagement. We follow it via several texts and areas where our fellow fighters from the sector want to make a change regardless if it concerns health, environment, support to families living in poverty, gender issues or something else. Apart from this, also look at the texts on other issues in the newsletter, such as civic participation, cooperation and enabling environment.
In the spirit of activism, bear in mind that it is up to all of us to create new civic activists. These are the people who will continue the fight for the issues that we fight for today. Have a pleasant reading!
