The Greens, civil society and democracy

Zghazagh ghall-Ambjent, Moviment Graffitti, Tan-Numri, Studenti Demokristjani Maltin, Third World Group, Anthropology Society, l-Ghodwa, Society for the Study and Conservation of Nature... AD's national executive is made up of activists many of whom were previously members of one of these and other civil society organisations. Being a Green Party, this is no coincidence.

In fact, the roots of Green politics are found within the first ecological and alternative political civil society groups which emerged in Western Europe during the 1960s.

Most European Green parties were not created until at least a decade later, and many have since established themselves as political forces of considerable strength in their countries. Green parties now have considerable support around the world.

The Greens stand for various principles that lie at the roots of civil society organisations within a global perspective. These include sustainable development, democracy, transparency, gender equality, peace and the right of all people to express themselves and participate fully in decision making.

Indeed the Greens believe in a new vision of citizenship, defined by the European Greens Website as being "built on equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender, age, race, religion, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, wealth and health. These goals must be reached by democratic means and by strengthening the role of local communities in the decision making process." (http://www.europeangreens.org)

European Green parties believe that the European Union - where the Greens have considerable strength, being the fourth largest pan-European party, boasting various ministers, partners in governing coalitions and even the Budget Commissioner - should be more democratic, sustainable and socially just.

This means to develop a new perspective for the EU, elaborate a concept for conflict prevention and non-violence in Europe, support the transition of the new democracies in East and Central Europe, as well as to participate in the development of alternative global structures in co-operation with Greens elsewhere, such as within the Global Greens that was set up in 2001 in Australia.

Green politics therefore requires further democratisation of political and economic structures. Civil society organisations play an important role in this process, and this is one reason why Greens support global structures such as the European Social Forum, the World Social Forum and others.

Thinking globally and acting locally is a key principle of the Greens. Alternattiva Demokratika subscribes to this philosophy. This is recently approved electoral manifesto, which includes 445 proposals, gives considerable importance to the participation of civil society organisations (or NGOs, Non-Governmental Organisations) within Maltese society.

Many such organisations are equipped with experts and dedicated people who contribute to various sectors, including the social, educational, environmental, religious, cultural, sportive, political and philantropic. Such organisations are becoming ever-more popular with thousands of people, including youth.

To give some examples, findings of the National Statistics Office reveal that in the 1997-2000 period, the number of children and young persons who joined NGOs rose substantially by 15,105 or 31.1 per cent, to 63,718 members in 2000.

Around 45 per cent of young people in Malta and Gozo are choosing to be active in civil society, at least as members of NGOs. Other findings by the NSO reveal that between 1998 to 2000, membership in NGOs increased by nine per cent, reaching a membership of around 50,000 within NGOs that operate in the human health and social-work areas as well as within support and pressure NGOs.

AD - the Green Party believes that organisations such as environmental NGOs, local councils, consumer, gender-oriented, disability and pensioners' organisations, should be represented in public entities. The Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) is in many ways a good example of how civil society could contribute to the country's well being together with representatives from other sectors.

This example should be pursued. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority would surely have a more representative board if environmental NGOs and local councils form part of it and replace political party representatives.

The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development would further live up to its name and its positive role in society if it also included civil society representatives from the environmental, gender-related and consumer rights areas among others.

Other entities which could benefit from civil society participation include the Broadcasting Authority, the Tourism Authority, as well as various cultural and social structures.

Thousands of Maltese and Gozitans are choosing to be active within civil society. Further recognition of their role would enhance the democratic process. This lies at the root of Green politics.

Alternattiva Demokratika's proposals may be read at www.alternattiva.org.mt.

Mr Briguglio is civil society and tourism spokesman for Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party.