Civil society organisations in the protection of civic space
By Jessica Correa, internationalisation coordinator at Transversal Think Tank
Speakers: Leopoldo Maldonado (Regional Director of Article 19), Lucía Hidalgo (Executive Director of Alternativas y Capacidades), Mónica Tapia (Director of Ruta Cívica), and Mariana Niembro (Director of Borde Político). Moderator: Monserrat Enríquez (Transversal Think Tank).
Summary
In 2021, three years after the election of a promising but as-yet disappointing federal administration and one year after of the arrival of COVID-19 to Mexico, Mexican civil society faces exceptional changes, challenges, and opportunities. The first session of the OTT Local Conference: Mexico 2021, run by CSOs’ executive directors and leaders, explores the role that CSOs play as protectors of the civic space in a hostile environment that only leaves room for innovation.
Key takeaways
Impact of COVID-19
The pandemic prompted CSOs to devise innovative ways of working and incorporating their practices into the digital world. However, the COVID-19 emergency also widened the digital gap, exacerbating other social inequalities and relegating already excluded people. Faced with this scenario, connecting Mexico becomes a fundamental action for inclusion and to further strengthen civil society.
‘Mexico and the world are divided between those of us who are connected and those who are not (…) the digital gap has exacerbated other social inequalities’ — Leopoldo Maldonado, Regional Director of Article 19.
Civic space in the face of public space
The arrival of the ‘Fourth Transformation’ to the federal executive branch has created a hostile environment for the development of civil society in Mexico, causing, among other things, severe financial restrictions and tensions with international financial institutions. In response to the hostility shown by Mexico’s president, the speakers agreed that civic space is a part of public space, and thus CSOs collaborate in its construction. They consider that the key to strengthening civil society lies in citizen participation.
‘CSOs have always been that uncomfortable entity that does not allow the government to seize the monopoly of what is considered as public’ — Mónica Tapia, Director of Ruta Cívica.
Challenges and opportunities
In the construction of civic space, CSOs play a crucial role; however, it is not enough to create and strengthen organisations; it is necessary to involve citizens to defend the civic space. The speakers identified as great opportunities the need to improve CSOs’ communications, democratise internal processes, allow diverse voices to enter discussions, and build networks to respond collectively to emergencies such as COVID-19.
‘We must continue to build networks between the sector so that we can activate more effectively when situations such as COVID-19 arise’ — Lucía Hidalgo, Executive Director of Alternativas y Capacidades.
‘We need more actors influencing public decisions. We need to improve our communication and be much more resilient to what is coming’ — Mariana Niembro, Director of Borde Político.
What came next at the OTT Local Conference: Mexico 2021?
Women, civil society & leadership: Breaking the glass ceiling and advancing women’s rights
Tensions and understandings between civil society and the government
Think tanks and change
From think tank to change hub
Keynote by Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America
How do think tanks react to or foster change?
Read the OTT Annual Review 2020–2021
