Hargeisa: The largest gathering for representatives of civil society organizations operating in Somaliland and Somalia took place this week in Hargeisa. Hundreds of people assembled at a conference hall in Ambassador Hotel, last Saturday, to attend a symposium organized by the Dutch international NGO NOVIB on civil society in Somaliland and Somalia.

The majority of participants came from neighboring war-torn Somalia and there was a fair gender representation in the composition of delegates from both Somaliland and Somalia.

The symposium discussed two studies prepared by NOVIB: "Donor Assistance towards Somalia-Development Policy and Coherence" and "Mapping Somali Civil Society."

The study on donor policy and development assistance towards Somalia was meant to provide information to Somali civil society with regard to who is who in the list of donors who give aid to Somalia. This study mainly focused on the EU as the largest donor entity. The views and policies of the EU on Somalia were indicated here with brief explanations given on the stance of certain member states on Somalia. The study attempted to provide information to the international community about the role of civil society in Somalia while identifying the specific character, strengths and potentiality of Somali counterparts.

The study recognized regional administration structures and recommended collaboration with those bodies as development partners.

The second report consisted of a mapping study aimed at formulation of a better understanding of the nature of civil society organizations in Somalia and their link with Somali culture, traditions, history, language, how to establish connections among themselves and with donors.

The study provided assessment of civil society organizations, their structures, capacity to deliver services, goals and mission. The report was seen as a general overview of the context and findings on civil society.

Though the two reports acknowledged that Somaliland's civil society was the most developed in the former Somalia, yet little was said about Somaliland itself. The information on Somaliland was somehow distorted presumably by the authors of the two reports, who all happened to be from the South. Interestingly enough, NOVIB at one time recruited the Somaliland born Professor Abdi Ismail Samater as a consultant for this project. Another Somalilander, Ms. Faiza Jama also works for NOVIB. Both characters are known for their ardent support of the former Somalia and hostility to Somaliland's independence.

It was the first time since independence that Somaliland has hosted an event attended by hundreds of people from Somalia. At the symposium looked just like one of those peace conferences on Somalia where everyone was invited with little or no regard for legitimacy of representation. While most Somaliland delegates actually represented well known NGOs and CBOs, it was difficult to know who represented whom with regard to most people who came from Somalia. Unfortunately, the majority of Somaliland's civil society representatives indicated that they were not consulted about the findings outlined in the two studies put for discussion during the symposium.

On Wednesday, many of Somaliland's delegates walked out to protest against the fact that the Somaliland side was denied participation in the formulation of the two reports. Somaliland's civil society organizations were joined by their counterparts from Puntland in refusing to put their signatures to a "Consensus Paper" that the organizers wanted to issue on Wednesday as the final declaration of the symposium.

It was noted however that despite such obstacles, the symposium has given a boost to civil society activism and created opportunities for exchange of experiences and information. NOVIB's Dorothe Appel has also shown tremendous strength and skills in making the symposium possible. Without her efforts, the symposium wouldn't have materialized.

Somali Civil Society Symposium, The Hargeisa Consensus

We, the delegates to the Somali Civil Society Symposium

Representatives of civil society organizations from Somaliland and Somalia representing non-governmental organizations, women groups, professional associations, academic and research institutions, elders representatives, religious leaders, media associations, youth, human rights organizations and CSO networks

Gathered in Hargeisa, Somaliland from 22nd - 26th February 2003 at the largest civil society gathering in our history for discussions on the role and future of Somali civil society.

Understanding that Somali Civil society is undergoing great transformation in its efforts at building values and principles that uplift institutional capacities and improve performance under difficult circumstances.

Building upon the many years of struggle for a common platform, mutual partnership and assumption of proactive leadership role.

Realizing, as agents of change, the great need of Somali Civil society for a platform for solidarity, legitimacy, control and common voice within civil society institutions.

Noting the support and partnership offered by the international community and international civil society.

Determined to forge a unity of purpose for civil society in the continuous efforts towards the improvement of the lives of the Somali people.

Considering this great gathering of the most visible Somali civil society groups, and taking this opportunity.

DECLARE THAT:

Vision: The vision of Somali civil society is the achievement of sustainable peace, development and social progress in the context of respect for human rights, justice, the rule of law and good governance.

1. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of this vision whose principal agenda is the attainment of sustainable peace and development in our respective constituencies.
2. We adopt recommendations of Mapping and Donor Coherence studies commissioned by Novib in 2002 and declare our commitment to implement the recommendations therein subject to agreed revisions being made.
3. We agree to establish a pilot coordinating mechanism that is mandated to improve and enhance cooperation and collaboration amongst civil society and with the international Community and other stakeholders.
4. We call upon development partners within the international community to commit themselves to a more active and direct partnership with Somali civil society's plans and programs through direct resource transfers that are sufficient and predictable.
5. We call upon international organizations, UN agencies and other development partners operating in Somalia/Somaliland to relocate their operational offices on the ground particularly to areas, which are peaceful and stable in order to improve accessibility.
6. We urge the international community to further commit themselves to the efforts of restoring peace and stability in Somalia and support the ongoing peace and reconciliation process.
7. We call upon the international community, particularly the European Commission to provide effective development assistance to peaceful areas hitherto neglected under the peace dividend approach and to further strengthen development assistance to areas with demonstrated peace and stability.
8. We further call upon the international community, particularly the European Commission to directly support all civil society peace building and development efforts in areas of conflict and instability.
9. We welcome the peace and democratization process in Somaliland and call upon the people of Somalia to learn from this experience for the promotion of a conducive environment for peace and development.
10. We reiterate our appreciation of the support extended by Novib and the European Commission to the strengthening of Somali civil society and request Novib to continue its efforts at developing accountable, transparent and sustainable partnership between the international NGO community and Somali civil society.
11. We undertake to organize annual civil society symposium and similar participatory events and urge our development partners to support such initiatives for experience sharing and solidarity building.
12. We call upon development partners particularly bilateral donors, the UN system including specialized agencies and the world bank as well as other global development agencies to place Somalia/Somaliland in category of higher priority of countries with a country strategy paper of cooperation.

• Reaffirm our solidarity with each other
• Express our gratitude to Novib for demonstrating a sincere and genuine partnership with Somali civil society and call upon other international organizations to adopt a similar approach and strategy.
• Appreciate the European Commission's funding of this process
• Further Appreciate the government of Somaliland for facilitating full and effective participation by delegates from Somalia and other participants

ADOPTED in Hargeisa this 26th day of February 2003