JOHANNESBURG – Civil society leaders convening under the C20 umbrella have registered strong criticism of governments worldwide for the sluggish implementation of transformation policies. The C20, the G20’s civil society engagement group representing NGOs and organized civic movements, presented its initial policy draft this week in Pretoria—highlighting urgent global issues that demand attention.
The C20 serves as a critical bridge between grassroots advocacy and international policymaking, ensuring that citizen-centered voices are not overshadowed by corporate or political agendas. Established in 2013, the engagement group has steadily expanded its reach and influence, aiming to promote environmental protection, human rights, and economic justice in line with the principle of “leave no one behind.”
Civil Society Leaders Call for Broad-Based Policy Transformation
At the Pretoria gathering, the C20 laid out its policy agenda for consideration ahead of the G20 Summit. The upcoming policy pack will tackle essential global governance challenges: food security, financial justice, equitable education, and health access.
Thulani Tshefuta, the C20 chairperson, underscored the urgency of heeding civil society’s recommendations. He warned that ignoring these calls would have dire consequences for marginalized communities across the globe.
“The transformation agenda is under siege. The anti‑transformation voice keeps on being emboldened and organised without any shame. Equality cannot be achieved without raising the base of the marginalised through deliberate measures that support empowerment and transformation.”
Tshefuta warned that without aggressive efforts to correct systemic inequalities, societies risk cementing long-standing imbalances. In South Africa, he cautioned, the absence of transformation would ensure persistent inequality.
Since December 2024, the C20 has gained momentum, bringing over 1,900 organizations into its fold. This includes a rich tapestry of stakeholders from Africa and beyond—covering youth, women, disability rights, informal economic structures, faith-based groups, and more.
In June, the C20 held its Mid‑Term Policy Dialogue in Sandton, garnering participation from more than 300 in-person delegates and nearly 1,800 virtual attendees across Africa and other G20 nations. The outcomes from this dialogue were then presented to G20 Sherpas during the high-level meeting in Sun City.
This level of engagement reflects the growing importance of civil society leaders in shaping international discourse and promoting inclusive, equitable policy frameworks.
The C20 is just one of several official G20 engagement groups—each amplifying distinct voices in shaping policy. Others include Business20 (B20), Labour20 (L20), Women20 (W20), Youth20 (Y20), Think-tank20 (T20), and more. These platforms provide structured channels for diverse viewpoints to inform G20 outcomes.
C20’s influence lies in its capacity to bring community-level experiences to the global stage. By aligning grassroots advocacy with high-level policy trailblazers, civil society leaders ensure the G20 process remains accountable, inclusive, and attuned to real-world inequalities.
Education and health access, among other essential services, are central pillars of the C20’s agenda. Tshefuta stressed that these services must be universally accessible, irrespective of income or social status. To truly embed justice within G20 decisions, economic, labour, and development policies must be aligned to prioritize inclusivity and youth employment.
Civil Society Leaders- as C20 prepares its final policy pack, civil society hopes it will influence the upcoming G20 Summit, setting a tone for a more equitable and sustainable post-pandemic global recovery.
Dedication to inclusive development is not just idealism—it is essential for the legitimacy and effectiveness of global institutions. Through platforms like C20, civil society leaders remain vital in keeping governments accountable and ensuring that transformational agendas are not just discussed but enacted.
Source- EWN
