Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) - What Makes Societies Resilient?

Held in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) is the single biggest opportunity for civil society to engage with Commonwealth leaders on a wide range of issues. The Forum also provides a valuable arena for civil society to build partnerships with the public and private sectors, offering opportunities for learning, networking and exchanging ideas.

Theme for the People's Forum:

The proposed theme issue for CPF 2015 is “What Makes Resilient Societies?” This is seen as providing a civil society perspective that complements the overall CHOGM theme “Adding Global Value.” It also builds on work which has been developed in Malta on resilience and vulnerability. The Forum aims to add diverse social and cultural perspectives to the discourse, which has its roots in the experience of Small States.

What makes societies resilient?

Societies across the globe have been rocked by a variety of shocks, from earthquakes and typhoons to epidemics, extremist attacks and financial crises. If the Commonwealth is to enable societies to be more resilient to these challenges, we need to think more strategically and holistically.

Specifically, we need to view resilience not as a response to shocks but as an integral part of development policies to meet challenges proactively. More importantly, we need to view resilience from a social perspective, not just through traditional economic and environmental lenses.

This year’s Commonwealth People’s Forum, will bring together civil society representatives and policymakers from across the Commonwealth to address the issue of resilience for the first time and to forge a new way forward.

Why resilience?

Resilience has gained credence as a concept and policy response. For small states including small island developing states (SIDS) on the front line of climate change impacts, and with limited resources to cope, building resilience has gained particular traction.

While it is widely accepted that the concept of resilience is used to define the ability to respond to crisis, there is a need to deepen the analysis. There has been silence on the root causes and the unequal exposure to vulnerability of some parts of society, for example indigenous communities. The new resilience thinking suggests that there is no ‘optimal’ response to vulnerability. Instead it suggests adaptive learning, flexibility and a response to the complexity of real world dynamics. It also asserts that social cohesion and dialogue are instrumental in facilitating collaborative approaches to respond to adverse shocks. Resilience connotes renewal and hope and challenges the narrative of vulnerability and the current constructs of adaptability and preparedness.

Framing resilience in governance and development: 

In its work in profiling vulnerability and resilience in small states, the Commonwealth acknowledges the important role of governance, the role of democratic institutions and people’s participation in the analysis of what makes resilient societies. This is an area that is largely underexplored. CPF 2015 will contribute to expanding the current thinking on resilience and will explore the aspects of governance- rules, institutions and processes through which people, organisations and government work toward common objectives, make decisions, generate legitimate authority and power and promote and protect human rights. It will feature contributions of civil society and examples of local and bottom up responses. Four threads of inquiry will be used at the Forum in analysing resilience In the context of governance and people’s participation in governance and development: Transformation, Inclusion and Responsiveness, Transparency and Accountability and Gender.

The event will focus on three main themes:

Supported by invigorating speakers, such as sustainability pioneer Vandana Shiva, as well as numerous interactive events, discussions and films, the three-day conference, entitled What makes societies resilient?, will focus on:

1. Transformative societies: By definition, shocks are unexpected and societies are often unprepared for them. How can we prepare societies for these challenges and enable them to use shocks constructively to transform communities for the benefit of all? How can people’s potential to contribute be realized?
2. Inclusive policies: One of the Commonwealth’s greatest strengths is its cultural, social, economic and political diversity, providing a wealth of ideas and resources. How can we ensure that policies draw on this collective potential – from civil society and policymakers, across all levels of society – so that we work together to develop sustainable, mutually beneficial solutions?
3. Transparency and accountability: Societies that are resilient to shocks can only collaborate effectively if the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities are widely known and widely understood. What needs to be done to ensure greater transparency and accountability to prepare for the future?