VIEWS

Basic ethic values in civil society associations’ operation

In the modern times of democracy and liberalism, people more and more talk about ethics as a direction in living, with whose help are not only conditions for human survival created, but also the human life quality is improved. In attempts to advance human life, through the real source of values, civil society associations are actively involved. In their acting they are led by certain ethic values and their realization becomes conception for the civil society sector’s activity. It is about the humanity’s noble ideas – cooperation, freedom, rights, dignity, peace…, - values without whose representation and putting into effect it is not possible to reach life’s objective nowadays and good conditions for life of those coming. Therefore, in the basis of the civil society sector’s functioning mechanism, and individually in every civil society organization, well-profiled and chosen values are taken as base, and they are led and also their activity is evaluated according to them.

We can distinguish a few basic values in their acting which are at the same time a sense of their own existence: activism as first impulse – moving force of the process, cooperation as necessary precondition in creating and putting into effect efforts for better united humanity, philanthropy as an expression of humanity and an important part of the process of uniting people, and of course volunteerism as an expression of philanthropic ideas for mutual assistance.

Nowadays, in every segment, in every action, in every idea we should have an active approach to life, world, things. It is about a new kind of activism – man’s turning towards problems solving. The moment of engagement does not mean blind leaving to circumstances, but active participation in life, in the core of our existence.

Activism is possible through the basic conception of mutual cooperation between all people. Within the civil society sector, led by the value “cooperation”, the term “umbrella organizations” has been created to mark building coalitions and advancing the cooperation between civil society organizations. Such an example is the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations as an international membership organization that helps civil society organizations worldwide in overcoming conflict solutions and moral solutions in terms of urgent global, national and social problems.

A term that nowadays has imposed as inevitable in everyday communication between people – “philanthropy” – is inevitably related to cooperation. It is about the only motive and aim justified for ultimate dedication. It has three forms that differently present person’s feelings and dedication. Only one form of these, in terms of general love for the whole world, is the basis of today’s understanding of philanthropy.

The term “volunteering” is parallel related to it, as an expected way of participation and contribution towards improving society everywhere. Community’s volunteerism and contribution are bloodstream to many organizations that rely on community’s support, rich individuals and foundations that finance their work.

By creating new relations, making new friendships and learning for the importance of openness, respect, tolerance and mutual understanding, indispensable preconditions for mutual living in peace and welfare are created, good life is maintained and advanced. That is the exact intention of the civil society sector. That is the reason why these values are promoted so much as norms and conceptions in acting, at the same time raising the level of awareness that only together we can reach what is our ideal. At the same time, the same values are taken as an inspiration for civil society organizations, as well as their criteria for evaluation. 

(the author is Ethics demonstrator at the Faculty of Philosophy – Institute of Philosophy and secretary in the NGO “Ethics Center”)