“Youth are front liners and torch-bearers;
claim your civic space and voice up today”
Defining Civic Space
It is the political,
legislative, social and economic environment which enables citizens to come
together, share their interests and concerns and act individually and
collectively to influence and shape they policy-making. Civic space encourages
people to pursue multiple, at times competing, points of view. A dynamic and
plural civic space ensures that governing bodies take into account interests,
needs, and concerns of society at large. On the contrary, when civic space shrinks,
governments and institutions are less likely to be responsive to citizens’
requests.
The three pillars that make Civic Space?
1. Freedom of
association is
citizens’ right to organize and collectively engage with the public and
political sphere to pursue their shared objectives.
2. Freedom of assembly is
the citizens’ right to come together publicly or privately to manifest, advocate
and uphold collective interests. This right includes the freedom to peacefully
dissent and protest in respect of others’ rights without fear of punishment.
3. Freedom of expression is the citizens’ right to have
equal access to multiple sources of information, intellectual tools to form
diverse opinions and public fora to express alternative viewpoints, drive
attention to issues of concerns, and speak out against perceived injustices
without hindrance.
Did you know what the constitution says?
Section 58 Clause (1) - “Every person has the right to freedom of
assembly and association, and the right not to assemble or associate with
others”.
Section 58 Clause (2) - “No person may be compelled to belong to an
association or to attend a meeting or gathering”.
Section 59 - “Ever person has the right to demonstrate and to
represent petitions, but these rights must be exercised peacefully”.
Section 61 (1) - “Every person has the right to freedom of
expression” with sub-sections that describe more on this right”.
More importantly on Youth and Civic Space?
Section 20, clause (1) b Youth
“have opportunities to [associate]
and to be [represented] and [participate] in political, social, economic and other spheres of life”
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