In other parts of the world, citizens have just started to assume responsibility for their public life. Citizens are realizing that they cannot have democratic governments without citizens' participation and that citizens have to be joined with other citizens in civil societies. Building a society of citizens cannot be approached in the same way you teach people how to hold elections. The key actor is a citizen who recognizes and assumes the responsibility for what happens in public life. This realization must be indigenous.
Outside consultants can neither provide such a realization nor teach it in seminars.
These conditions have led to the creation of organizations in a number of countries to strengthen their civil societies. Since 1991, initially under the coordination of the U.S.-based Kettering Foundation , a number of these organizations have met together and exchange information and experience, and build common approaches to the challenges they face. These organizations have then created a formal Consortium to institutionalize and develop this cooperation. The International Civil Society Consortium is an international nonprofit network grouping a number of civic organizations from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Africa. Their main aim is to enhance international cooperation in promoting responsible, democratic, and widely participatory deliberation over public issues around the world.