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Mozambican Civil Society Within: Evaluation, Challenges, Opportunities and Action The Mozambican Civil Society Index (CSI) in 2007 The fundamental question that the CSI project seeks to answer can be expressed as follows: What is the state and condition of Mozambican civil society? Before presenting the more detailed results and fundamental aspects of the evaluation, let us start by briefly answering this question. The CSI project concluded that overall Mozambican civil society is weak in its main dimensions, including its structure, environment, values and the impact of its action. As shown in Figure 1.1.1a, the CSI score is around 1.0 that in qualitative terms is way below average on the scale of 0 to 3 assigned to the variables considered. This classification corresponds to the average aggregate score assigned to a total of 80 indicators, organized into 27 sub-dimensions, and finally into the four dimensions illustrated in Figure 1.1.1a, namely: The Structure of civil society; the external Environment in which civil society exists and operates; the Values practiced and promoted in the civil society arena; and the Impact of the activities undertaken by civil society actors. Figura 1.1.1a: The Mozambican Civil Society Diamond in 2007 Structure 3 2 1.1 1 Values 1.1 0 1.0 Impact 1.2 environment The assessment of Mozambican society as weak, albeit with signs of transition to a moderate level, shows a delicate situation. Its average score, well below average, is by no means cause for satisfaction and confidence in the future progress of civil society. But before thinking about the future it is important to study in more detail the more fragile aspects that contribute to the unsatisfactory state of Mozambican civil society today. It is also important to know which variables are making a positive contribution to a satisfactory and moderate situation in some sub-dimensions. xxii Civil Society Index, Mozambique 2007
Mozambican Civil Society Within: Evaluation, Challenges, Opportunities and Action Finding a realistic and substantiated response to the main obstacles and weaknesses in Mozambican civil society is not easy. However, it is a challenge that should be addressed in order to discover where future efforts should focus, how to act and how to prioritize actions in future. It was difficult to estimate the CSI, in part because of the limited data available. In addition, the fact that the dimensions of the Mozambican Civil Society Diamond have similar scores close to each other makes it hard to identify the prime factors, not just the weaknesses and disadvantages identified in Mozambican civil society today but also its merits, strong points and advantages. Nevertheless, the empirical data produced by the CSI project through extensive, systematic and participatory research have provided the first complete database on Mozambican civil society. It is now possible to evaluate the main characteristics of its current condition and future perspectives, but with the main emphasis on its current state. This focus on the current situation is reflected in the following summary. The Civil Society Concept The operational definition of civil society used in this research is the definition proposed by CIVICUS and understood as the arena outside of the family, the state and the market, where people associate to advance common interests. This definition is not immediately understood and accepted by the ordinary citizen, including many educated people and specialists in certain academic subjects. The main difference between an operational definition for research purposes, such as the CIVICUS definition, and the common sense perspective is related to the role of certain actors in society at a given historical moment or location. Given the history of the majority political parties in Mozambique, Frelimo and Renamo, and in particular their hegemonic political role in Mozambican society today, many people argue that these parties should be excluded from research on Mozambican civil society. Especially in the provinces, participants in the meetings and debates promoted by the CSI project were adamant that the inclusion of Frelimo and Renamo in the analysis of civil society would hinder and distort the research. In their opinion, the presence of representatives of the dominant political parties in debates on civil society would inhibit people, intimidate them or make it difficult to find solutions for the development of civil society. Friction and fierce political disputes between the dominant political forces in Mozambique still persist. This situation is unhealthy and harmful to the development of civil society because there is a tendency to try and manipulate members of CSOs to take the side of one force or the other, irrespective of the sense and practicability of their positions. Civil Society Index, Mozambique 2007 xxiii
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