Civil Society on the Rise
by Beate Engelen
When my husband and I first became involved with Amity as teachers in a small college in Shandong four years ago, we found that many of our students were interested in some kind of voluntary work. They wanted to do something for elderly people, disabled children or the environment. What really impressed them that year, they told us, was an American who had allegedly spent his summer cleaning up the slopes of Mount Tai behind our campus, walking up and down the mountain collecting garbage tourists had left. The students were keen on doing something similarly useful, they said. The school did not particularly encourage such activities as volunteer work in the community was not part of the official curriculum. But it was obvious that many students were looking for an opportunity to get involved.
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'Less prejudice, more love' |
This experience was my first encounter with "civil society" in China. Since then I have been looking for more evidence. Over the years I came to realize that Chinese society has still less room for individuals to engage in community work or volunteer initiatives than many other countries. But spaces are opening up. Today, more people in China engage in communal services and fund-raising events than ever before. And since last year, strengthening civil society has received some support from the government. Some officials now see the establishment of civil society as a viable means of easing social tensions and balancing inequalities between social groups.
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An Amity volunteer teaches an extra English class at a school for the children of migrant workers. |
Promoting certain aspects of civil society has always been an important part of Amity's work. Amity wants common people to become involved in their communities, to take responsibility for underprivileged members of society and to shake off prejudices. Amity is in a good position because the organization has close links with different groups and communities at the grassroots level. Fund-raising efforts are intensified to give common people an opportunity to give and do good. And - perhaps most important - Amity involves a rising number of volunteers to do social work in the community and get in touch with people in need.
Evidence of civil society on the rise is everywhere. Recently, one of my former students from Shandong signed up to become an Amity volunteer. She finally had a chance to explore how it feels to get involved and take social responsibility. It is people like her - not organizations - who promote civil society in China.
