State Department to open strategic dialogue with civil society

Yesterday, the State Department launched an initiative to open a strategic dialogue with civil society [1] on global democracy and good governance. This marks the first time the State Department has launched such a dialogue with any group other than a government.

Secretary Clinton said in her address to the attending civil society representatives, "Civil society holds governments accountable, keeps them honest, and helps them be more effective. But you play an even more fundamental role than that. You help to strengthen the basic bonds of trust that are essential to democracy." She also announced that the State Department is doubling its funding to address diverse threats to civil society, including legal support to NGOs "affected by government crackdowns."

USAID Administrator Shah added that USAID "will seek to elevate [its] crucial partnership with civil society. We recognize that civil society organizations create the basics for accountability and have tremendous relevance and significance in all aspects of our work, of course, in the democracy and governance portfolios ... but also in our efforts to create inclusive economic growth, to fight disease and hunger through agriculture and global health initiatives, and to create more educational opportunities more broadly for all members of society."

For more information, see the State Department's transcript [1] and an article about the event on Devex [2].