What Is Civil Society?
Civil Society Organizations Like The International Catholic Migration Commission Advocate for the Uprooted
Civil society refers to groups (civil society organizations) which operate outside of government in support of a common cause. These include schools, unions, faith-based and online groups, charities, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Civil society organizations often advocate for social change. These are seismic shifts in thinking that happen slowly, because changes in power structures require people in every level to adjust to, and hopefully implement, new ideas. Civil society is the first push of a boulder down the hill toward a better path.
Over time, societies are bound to change. They must constantly adapt to an ever-changing world of technological innovations, global struggles and economic fluctuations. Participating in civil society is a way to be proactive in this process by championing the common good through partnership. Civil society organizations can serve many important functions – providing information, monitoring government policy and offering alternative solutions, offering services to people in need and defending citizen’s rights. Often they work with government agencies, both national and global, to create policies that give marginalized groups an organized voice.
On a global level, a civil society’s collective action can lead to essential acts of humanitarianism, such as safer drinking water, health education, restrictions on mining and myriad other initiatives that contribute to the common good.
The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) brings together civil society leaders and organizations from around the world to advocate for displaced people. They are one of nearly 200 civil society organizations urging the U.S. government to make refugee resettlement a priority. Learn more about these efforts here. Through coordination activities such as global forums and action committees. ICMC is a catalyst for the voices of all those affected and working on migration and refugee issues to reach its advocacy potential.
About the International Catholic Migration Commission
The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.
With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises. Find out more by visiting our website.
