Leveraging the Civil Societies for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Africa: A Catalyst for the Summit of the Future

Civil society organizations, or CSOs, are not just entities but catalysts for change. They play numerous and significant roles in guiding the paths of societies among states. As the most awaited conference is just around the corner, civil societies prepare to adopt a worldwide viewpoint on a specific subject that brings together different remarkable personalities. The United Nations Civil Society Conference, set to take place on the 9th and 10th of May 2024 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Kenya, is a predecessor of the Summit of the Future, planned for September 2024 at the UN headquarters in New York. The CSO conferences, which commenced in the 19th Century, have registered 68 prosperous ramifications due to the transformative power of civil society organizations.

Inclusivity and networked multilateralism are aimed at being attained during the UN CSO Conference, amongst other themes such as the Impact Coalition Programs that are purposed to influence the impact for the future. It is expected that civil society participation will be fully tethered to a Summit in the future. With the trail of responsibilities fulfilled by civil societies, it can be positively noted that the engagement of civil society will ease the path of attaining the objectives of the world system.

One of the key roles of civil society organizations is to ensure inclusive and sustainable development in Africa by holding governments accountable. Their significance is evident in their role as watchdogs, which helps maintain transparency, accountability, and the code of good governance. For instance, Transparency International, a CSO, has held governments of various African states, including Kenya and Nigeria, accountable for corruption scandals and mismanagement of public resources. This has led to calls for stronger anti-corruption measures and ethical practices.  

Moreover, CSOs create partnerships with the governments of states to develop and implement effective policies for a prosperous future, addressing socio-economic themes. For example, the African Union (AU) often partners with CSOs to cultivate frameworks such as the Agenda 2063, leveraging their proficiency and grassroots affiliations to facilitate competent policy implementation at the local level. Additionally, CSOs foster regional cooperation by facilitating cross-border collaboration on shared challenges such as climate change and environmental impacts. Notably, the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance has been nurturing collaborations between African countries to campaign for Climate Action initiatives, thus endorsing sustainable development.

CSOs are not distant entities but close allies of local communities. They empower these communities through capacity building and by providing platforms for their voices to be heard in decision-making processes. For example, the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has steadfastly supported community-led development ventures, ensuring the marginalized are not left behindunited. This connection and empathy are what make CSOs so impactful.

Above and beyond, CSOs advocate for the rule of law and justice. CSOs are motivated by the all-encompassing development of a people, thus influencing legislation and law enactment. A case is the Legal and Human Rights Centre based in Tanzania. This CSO does its due diligence in creating awareness of human rights, campaigns for their adherence and protection, and the rule of law, thus endorsing social justice and impartial access to resources for all citizens.

Civil society organizations have been at the forefront of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, Action Aid, a CSO, has been working towards SDG 1 by alleviating poverty in African states through community-led development ventures, vocational training initiatives, and advocating for fair wages and social protection policies. Similarly, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa has partnered with CSOs to promote SDG 2 by combating hunger in Africa. Through these initiatives, agricultural productivity has improved, farmers have gained access to more markets, and they have received training on sustainable farming practices. Additionally, the Campaign for Female Education has been instrumental in improving the education of girls in Africa, contributing to SDG 4 by promoting gender equality in learning facilities.

In addition, the Medecins Sans Frontiers- Doctors Without Borders addresses health disparities by ensuring that vulnerable persons in areas faced by pandemics of disease, war and natural calamities are attended to, thus contributing towards SDG 3. In the bargain, the African Women's Development Fund gives back-up to women-led self-help groups, promotes economic empowerment of women, exponents for gender equality in decision-making processes and champions social issues that women face, such as Sexual/ Gender Based Violence- S/GBV, an effort to bring out SDG 5. Furthermore, WaterAid collaborates with local CSOs to provide clean, safe water and sanitation facilities and revamp hygiene education in African communities, thus promoting sustainable development by realizing SDG 6.

The UN CSO Conference is not just a gathering, but a platform for collaboration and shared vision. It targets bringing together UN officials, International CSOs, academia, public opinion makers, and youth change makers, not forgetting the International media. The conference is a space for championing of ideas and processes, anticipated to foster real-time interactions and collaborations between various stakeholders. Through the multifaceted roles of the CSOs, the esteemed conference aims to leverage them to ensure comprehensive and sustainable development in Africa, valuing the contributions of all participants.