Since the transition to its 5th generation of leaders, many China-watchers and analysts have been eagerly scrutinizing the country for changes in any industry sector or societal stability. In that same vein, the China Development Brief (CDB), a non-governmental organization (NGO), has closely monitored the civil society sector in China since 2003—and its most recent series of publications have indicated a growth of actors in in the political system. At the Wilson Center, the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States hosted an event featuring the CDB’s most recent work on the changing contours of civil society in China.
The event featured Shawn Shieh, the Director and Editor of China Development Brief (English). He also served as a consultant for the U.S.-based International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, the UN Development Program, and the Asian Development Bank. The Wilson Center’s own J. Stapleton Roy introduced Dr. Shieh.
The CDB publications showed the growth and depth of NGOs in China. Only grassroots and public interests groups were counted in the study. This barred trade associations and similar organizations of that nature. The rationale behind measuring the growth of public interest NGOs lies in the CDB’s perspective that “good governance requires that citizens be able to participate in public decisions to protect their interests and rights, and hold government and business accountable.” NGOs and public advocacy groups play a small but growing role in ensuring the government and businesses hear citizens in an orderly manner.
In China, public interest NGOs represent a growing space and medium for the public to actively influence government policy or business practices.
In the 2006 report, many of these NGOs described themselves as collaborating with or assisting the government and business, rather than criticizing. However, “raising public awareness” was identified as the most important advocacy goal, not improving government policy. In summation, the report found that the space for public advocacy was very restricted. In the 2013 report, findings indicated that not only are there more NGOs in China today, but more of them have adopted a rights-based perspective when carrying out public advocacy. NGOs are no longer “just collaborating”, but are actively trying to change the power structure by influencing government and business policy. Many more NGOs are becoming more “supervisory” towards business. Some are flatly emphasizing public participation and policy change.
Advocacy methods have diversified and extended the networks of these NGOs as well. Social media, impact litigation, petitions, and social movements have expanded and empowered the efforts of these groups. Even Chinese actors and actresses are participating in advocacy now.
It is not just changes in infrastructure or networking that has altered the dynamic of NGOs. In the last two decades, changes in the legal system have created a more positive environment for these efforts to grow. The growth of social media has increased awareness of citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and accelerated the networking of a more mature civil society.
While China is still firmly under the authoritarian control of the Chinese Communist Party, it appears grassroots NGOs and public advocacy groups are gaining traction and giving the Chinese people a louder voice.
Photo: International Rivers (cc).
a global affairs media network
The Changing Contours of Civil Society in China
August 5, 2013
Since the transition to its 5th generation of leaders, many China-watchers and analysts have been eagerly scrutinizing the country for changes in any industry sector or societal stability. In that same vein, the China Development Brief (CDB), a non-governmental organization (NGO), has closely monitored the civil society sector in China since 2003—and its most recent series of publications have indicated a growth of actors in in the political system. At the Wilson Center, the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States hosted an event featuring the CDB’s most recent work on the changing contours of civil society in China.
The event featured Shawn Shieh, the Director and Editor of China Development Brief (English). He also served as a consultant for the U.S.-based International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, the UN Development Program, and the Asian Development Bank. The Wilson Center’s own J. Stapleton Roy introduced Dr. Shieh.
The CDB publications showed the growth and depth of NGOs in China. Only grassroots and public interests groups were counted in the study. This barred trade associations and similar organizations of that nature. The rationale behind measuring the growth of public interest NGOs lies in the CDB’s perspective that “good governance requires that citizens be able to participate in public decisions to protect their interests and rights, and hold government and business accountable.” NGOs and public advocacy groups play a small but growing role in ensuring the government and businesses hear citizens in an orderly manner.
In China, public interest NGOs represent a growing space and medium for the public to actively influence government policy or business practices.
In the 2006 report, many of these NGOs described themselves as collaborating with or assisting the government and business, rather than criticizing. However, “raising public awareness” was identified as the most important advocacy goal, not improving government policy. In summation, the report found that the space for public advocacy was very restricted. In the 2013 report, findings indicated that not only are there more NGOs in China today, but more of them have adopted a rights-based perspective when carrying out public advocacy. NGOs are no longer “just collaborating”, but are actively trying to change the power structure by influencing government and business policy. Many more NGOs are becoming more “supervisory” towards business. Some are flatly emphasizing public participation and policy change.
Advocacy methods have diversified and extended the networks of these NGOs as well. Social media, impact litigation, petitions, and social movements have expanded and empowered the efforts of these groups. Even Chinese actors and actresses are participating in advocacy now.
It is not just changes in infrastructure or networking that has altered the dynamic of NGOs. In the last two decades, changes in the legal system have created a more positive environment for these efforts to grow. The growth of social media has increased awareness of citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and accelerated the networking of a more mature civil society.
While China is still firmly under the authoritarian control of the Chinese Communist Party, it appears grassroots NGOs and public advocacy groups are gaining traction and giving the Chinese people a louder voice.
Photo: International Rivers (cc).
