Civil Society, Poverty Reduction and the Promotion of Children's Rights in Iran

Abstract

Very little is known about civil society in Iran. Debates about this topic are usually highly politicized, often based on misunderstandings about the nature of Iranian civil society, overestimating its capacity for mediation and social change and ignoring its constructive role in society. This paper analyses in detail the role of Iranian civil society organizations in the social development of the country with a focus on the realization of child rights. Such a perspective offers the best way to empower civil society under the existing national and international conditions even though political spaces for non-governmental organizations are currently shrinking in Iran. The paper concludes that Iran's civil society is a heterogeneous group that needs strong support in institutional capacity building. Approaches towards civil society in Iran should take into account the different advantages of modern and more traditional types of organizations. Civil society organizations working for children and youth need to find ways to collaborate and advocate with sectoral ministries and other specialized government agencies. For these relationships to work, additional efforts to foster mutual understanding between government and civil society, as well as between religious charities and semi-public organizations and NGOs, are necessary. Finally, financial and other support to NGOs in Iran is best provided through multilateral organizations.