CIVIL SOCIETY

All non-profit, organized groups, clubs and associations that operate in society independently from government and the state.

"Civil Society International (CSI) assists independent organizations working for democracy and civil society in countries closed, or inhospitable, to these principles. We bring together in one place information about projects worldwide committed to the keystones of civil society: limited government, popular elections, and the rule of law; free association and expression; regulated, but open and market-oriented economies; aid to the poor, orphaned, elderly, sick, or disabled; and finally, civic cultures that value pluralism and individual liberty but also respect human needs for community and shared visions of the common good."
(Civil Society International, 2003, visited 2009-06-08)

"Civil society refers to the arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests, purposes and values. In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from those of the state, family and market, though in practice, the boundaries between state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred and negotiated. Civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power. Civil societies are often populated by organizations such as registered charities, development non-governmental organizations, community groups, women's organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, trade unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions and advocacy groups."
(London School of Economics and Political Science, What is civil society?, 2004, visited 2009-06-08)

Civil societies can be organized at the local, national and international levels.

Cooperation with the United Nations

"The United Nations is both a participant in and a witness to increasingly global civil society.
The United Nations system has significant informal and formal arrangements with civil society organizations, collectively known as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). More and more, NGOs are UN system partners and valuable UN links to civil society. NGOs are consulted on UN policy and programme matters.
CSOs play a key role at major United Nations Conferences and as indispensable partners for UN efforts at the country level. At the same time, the UN is helping to promote the emergence of Civil Society Organizations in the developing countries."
(United Nations (UN), UN and Civil Society, visited 2009-06-08)