Civil Society, Volunteerism and the Production of Youth Citizenship in Fiji

• In Event: The Role of Volunteering for Development in the Reproduction of Civil Society and Delivery of the SDGs

Abstract

Fiji’s multi-ethnic society has a segregated civil society characterised by general under-representation and low participation of the youth, poor, ethnic minorities, and less literate members of society (Khan et al 2007) and an intractable lack of trust across ethnicities. How then, does this actually existing civil society in Fiji shape the social transactions and values subjectivities, norms and habits of a citizenship bred through volunteerism in these organisations?

Drawing on data from a mixed method study on civil society and youth volunteerism in five major urban centres in Fiji, this paper interrogates prevailing normative assumptions on volunteerism’s role in retooling civic renewal and citizenship. Volunteerism, it is argued, is an imperative for enhancement of progressive citizenship values, civic participation, social capital and cohesion (CIVICUS et al. 2009). Within this line of thought, CSOs are the hallowed ‘training schools’ that impart and foster civic attitudes and values consistent with progressive citizenship and enhance opportunities for citizen participation (Cohen & Rogers 1995). Sceptics, however, charge that citizenship is ‘given form, meaning, and power through the transactions and circulations that constitute it’ (Staeheli et al 2016: 377).

Following Verba et al (1995), this paper argues that volunteering practiced through CSOs oriented towards inclusivity and bridging social capital have midwifed progressive citizenship values, while bonding type civil society has reproduced exclusionary citizenship, social disparities and patterns of discrimination and privilege. The findings suggest, as Obadare (2011) argues, the outcomes of volunteerism are socially situated and dependent on among others, the nature of the actually existing civil society, and the balance of power among diverse groups constituting it. Findings from this study suggest we need to fully comprehend the complexity of social production of citizenship through volunteerism anchored in civil society if its ideals are to be fully realised.

References
CIVICUS, IAVE & UNV. 2009. Volunteering and Social Activism: Pathways for Participation in Human Development, Johannesburg, CIVICUS, IAVE & UNV.

Cohen, J. & Rogers, J. (eds). 1995. Associations and Democracy, London: Verso.

Khan, M.H, Shah, A. & Siwatibau, S. 2007. Fiji Civil Society Index Report: A civil society in transition. Suva, FCOSS & CIVICUS.

Obadare E. 2011. “Volunteering, Civic Agency and Citizenship: Some preliminary considerations”. Concept paper prepared for the Southern African Conference on Volunteer Action for Development, 17-19 October 2011, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Staeheli, L.A., Marshall, D.J. & Maynard, N. 2016. “Circulations and the entanglements of citizenship formation,” Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 106 (2): 377-384.

Verba S., Schlozman, K.L. & Brady, H.E. 1995. Voice and Equality: Civic Voluntarism in American Politics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Author

• Jacob Mwathi Mati, University of the South Pacific