The Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights identified public participation and civic space as one of the key areas to focus the UN’s attention. In particular, the Call to Action stresses that society is stronger and more resilient when women and men can play a meaningful role in political, economic and social life, contributing to policy-making that affects their lives, including by accessing information, engaging in dialogue, expressing dissent and joining together to express their views.

Under the overall aspiration of the Call to Action, the newly adopted UN Guidance Note on the Protection and Promotion of Civic Space emphasizes that more strategic and effective civic space action hinges on stepping up work around the “3 Ps”: participation of civil society in UN processes, protection of civil society actors through clear protocols and procedures, and promotion of civic space and participation in national decision-making processes, both online and offline.

For further information, visit OHCHR's website.

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