13th Civil Society Forum conference set for Johannesburg, South Africa, 13-16 August

The Southern Africa Civil Society Forum (CSF) has announced that it will be hosting its 13th consecutive year conference at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 13 to 17 coinciding with the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).

The CSF said while civil society in the region has affirmed its commitment to defend and fight for the rights of the people, particularly those that are suffering poverty, unemployment, marginalization, rights violations, deprivations and vulnerabilities, it (civil society) is also faced with critical challenges that are threatening its own survival.

"The changing global political economy has shifted resources and directed them to other needy areas. Instead of reforming itself to respond to this critical challenge, civil society has not adequately responded to this challenge thus compromising its ability and strategic position to mobilise resources and influence the change that is so critically needed," said CSF.

"Consequently and at this stage of its evolution and development as civil society, there is a need to strengthen capacities and capabilities to mobilise, organise and improve our coordination. The 13th civil society forum therefore will provide an opportunity to rethink our strategies not only for engaging powers in the region but also for self-sustenance, sustainability and respected leadership. This self-introspection necessitates the evolution of a broad movement of civil society sharing ownership of a common vision and plan of action."

CSF said in the midst of these challenges facing civil society, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) experienced worsening developmental and political crises in 2016 - joining the increasing global turmoil.

"One crisis led to another, with a clear deficit of visionary leadership and institutions to navigate through these challenging times and seeking sustainable solutions to address them. The majority of the poor, especially those that remain marginalised from a shrinking formal economic system, receive the brunt of these misfortunes of a collapsing economy. This has been worsened by the absence of committed and resolute political and civic leaders," said CSF.

"It is no wonder, that along with the crises, the SADC region has witnessed the rise of populist leaders and pockets of revolutions that have not sufficiently immortalised to provide long-term solutions and or sound development alternatives. These forms of revolution may not suffice to influence radical changes, while some of these emergent populist leaders are ill prepared to provide the robust leadership nor craft the required practical solutions required for structural transformation."

CSF said instead of the resolution of the challenges, was the manufacturing of a "postfact" world, in which information sources are distorted and replaced by contrary facts and fallacies without recourse to substance and qualitative evidence.

"These challenges are a manifestation of a profound state of political and economic crisis, ecological imbalance, social instability, conflicts, high unemployment, rising inequality, mass displacement through unprecedented migration, increased suffering and uncertainties," said CSF.

"Solutions to these problems must be found, especially with the mobilisation of the peoples' movements, aligning and uniting their organisational efforts. Leaving the fate of ordinary citizens to politicians and the continued free reign of the market, will certainly lead to constant social and political turmoil. The 13th CSF must therefore re-define itself more fundamentally and truly as a creative, reflective and action-orientated space for the broad spectrum of civil society formations in the region region in speaking and acting truthfully to our present challenges."