Covid-19 has brought some big changes with it. 

After living within the cacophony of modern life - with its queues, traffic and general noise - the paring away of all non-essential contact has shone a spotlight on how essential interaction and community are. Within a matter of hours we went from regularly spending time with family and close friends, and daily interactions with our ‘weak ties’ – for example saying hello to the person serving us at the local store, or having a quick chat while walking the dog - to sending time with only immediate family, or perhaps alone.

The realisation of how much we need others in our lives has awoken us to the value of our connections, not only to loved ones, but also to our communities. Added to this, as we are finally easing out of the isolation and lockdowns brought about as a result of Covd-19, and with the world slowly returning to a new version of the old way of life, there have been numerous calls to learn lessons from this period.

In the press, online, and in personal conversations there have been numerous appeals to rethink how we live, to value others more and to build a better society. This sentiment has also highlighted the relevance of civil society, of that community made up of citizens linked by common interests and activity.

The social isolations of Covid-19 brought to light several heart-warming stories of people supporting each other: helping elderly or vulnerable neighbours who were unable to go outside or for whom it was not safe to do so, delivering their groceries or just lending an ear. There have also been many heartbreaking stories of people who have died alone, people who were hungry and had no one to call upon, those who lost their livelihood and did not know what the future would hold, people who but for the help and kindness of strangers, would have had a much harder time.

The common denominator in all of this is the dedication and kindness of others. Everyday across the globe millions of people give their time and energy to others, not for any payment but because they want to be useful and build a better society. Civil society is a collective term for any group or grouping where people come together for a purpose. It comprises community groups, non-governmental institutions, religious groups, trade unions, voluntary or charitable organisations, professional associations, local groups and other gatherings or associations.

Among other activities, these groups deliver services, raise awareness, help with disaster management, shape policy, empower the marginalised and those who are not being heard, promote transparency and hold institutions and sometimes even the very fabric of society, to account. In the light of recent events, the importance of all these functions has been strongly emphasized. This can be seen for example in the outpouring of sentiment and activity that surrounded the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in the USA. Although not the first time something like this has happened, this explosive act resonated around the world, mainly thanks to the actions of civil society. Civil society has also had a valuable presence during the lockdowns of Coivd-19. Socially minded individuals have done much to provide help, from delivering food, offering company and a listening ear to the lonely, and raising awareness and giving assistance in cases of domestic violence or children vulnerable to abuse. These are the people who are also heroes and gave their personal time and effort to advocate for those less fortunate or able.

Alongside businesses and government, civil society makes important contributions to communities. Some of the better-known global examples of civil society are Greenpeace, Amnesty International and UNICEF. However civil society also includes people coming together informally, such as those campaigning for a more equitable justice in the wake of George Floyd’s killing, which has rekindled the conversation around racism, privilege and innate prejudices, as well as all those contributing to the Black Lives Matter discourse. Educational campaigners and those speaking up about the environment or political corruption are also actors in civil society.

At the local level, civil society also has a strong presence. It comprises well-known organisations such as Moviment Graffiti and Women for Women, but also the protesters who campaigned following the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, those who protested against Malta’s construction industry in the wake of the tragedy that led to the death of Miriam Pace, and those who are currently protesting against corruption. In fact, just a few days ago, Ombudsman Anthony Mifsud paid tribute to Malta’s civil society, stating that over the past year it has become more organized, vociferous and proactive.

In difficult times civil society acts as a watchdog, sparking thought that will eventually lead to change, and enabling change that would most probably not have come about in any other way. It contributes to the valuable freedoms of democracy, including freedom of speech and representation for the ‘underdog’. The presence of a working civil society means that government, industry and the private sector all come under scrutiny, an important function in keeping our society equitable and making our country and our lives better.

Remember the outcry when Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said that foreign workers who lost their jobs would have to return to their country of origin? Without a functional civil society this may well have gone ahead, despite the inherent unfairness of such a suggestion. The actions of those who speak out have also been instrumental in keeping the selfish and non-cooperative in line.

At a time where public health was seen to be under threat, the actions of the selfish few did not go unremarked and the general public did not silently accept. Those who for egotistic reasons still went out when they were meant to be in quarantine, who still kept their business going hush-hush, or gathered in groups larger than was recommended were reported. The civic minded individuals who did the reporting helped keep us all safe and made conditions better for our hard-working health workers.

Sometimes unpopular or non-mainstream opinions are only heard because of the actions of civil society, whether via more traditional mediums such as protest, media presence or increasingly through digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and others. Whether we like what is being said or not, these digital platforms allow everyone to have their say. They remind us that freedom of speech means allowing all who have an opinion to voice it. Unfortunately, all too often we use our voice to try to drown out the opposition without even listening. We do not want them to be heard, in case they make a good case and entice over to the dark side those who, at least for the time being, share our views.

What the presence of a strong civil society teaches us is that when we learn to voice our opinions respectfully, acknowledge the validity of the other side, then democracy is at its best. It is precisely because of its propensity to act as a counterweight to material and economic interests that civil society is immeasurably valuable and a necessary part of any democracy worth its name.

Here at the Faculty for Social Wellbeing we aim to strengthen our communities and civil society actors, in order to make our day to day living better for all.

If you are interested in studying with us, you can contact the Faculty for Social Wellbeing on [email protected]

Annabel Cuff is a Research Support Officer at the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta