The principles of this Charter, which should be respected by all those who want to participate in this process, define the guidelines for the Civic Platform of Macedonia.
1. The Civic Platform of Macedonia is an open place for contemplation, democratic discussion, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences and building mutual links for effective action by civic organisations that are committed to developing the civic society in Macedonia.
2. The Civic Platform of Macedonia has a pluralistic, diversified, non-religious, non-governmental and non-party context, which links civic organisations involved in concrete activities, at a local, national and international level, in order to develop civic society.
3. The Civic Platform of Macedonia is comprised of and is devoted to the following:
- respect of the universal human rights and of the rights of all citizens - men and women, of all nationalities and cultures;
- development of a pluralistic and participative democracy;
- socio-economic development and cultural prosperity;
- social cohesion, integration and harmony;
- care for the environment and for sustainable development;
- social justice and equality;
- sustainable peace and stability;
- respect for differences and non-violence.
4. The Civic Platform of Macedonia collects and mutually connects the civic organizations (and other actors of the civic society in Macedonia), but it has no intention to be a body that exclusively represents Macedonian civic society.
The legitimacy of the Civic Platform of Macedonia will be the result of its capability to strengthen civic society (the civic sector), to develop roots and provide organization and stability.
5. The Civic Platform of Macedonia does not create a centre of power, which would create room for doubt on the side of the participants, nor does it intend to create a unique option for mutual communication and action by the civic organisations that participate in the Civic Platform of Macedonia. The events and activities of the Civic Platform of Macedonia are not conducted in the name of the Civic Platform of Macedonia as a body. Thus, no one will be authorised to express positions in the name of the Civic Platform of Macedonia, for which he/she would claim that they are positions of all participants in the Civic Platform of Macedonia. The participants in the Civic Platform of Macedonia will not be bound to make decisions as a body, regardless whether this would be by voting or by acclamation, in regard to declarations or proposals for action, which would involve all or a major part of the participants, and which would represent a kind of initiative for establishing founding positions of the Civic Platform of Macedonia as a body.
6. Nevertheless, for the civic organisations or other actors that participate in the events and activities of the Civic Platform of Macedonia, the right must be ensured during these events or activities to review and analyse declarations or activities, for which they may make decisions, independently or in coordination with the other participants. The Civic Platform of Macedonia takes on the obligation to distribute such decisions, with the means it has available, without censoring, limitation or control, but such as they are, as opinions and analyses of the organisations or groups of organisations that have made these decisions.
7. The Civic Platform of Macedonia will always be open for pluralism and variety in the domain of activities and in the ways how to involve the various civic organisations in these activities. In addition, the Civic Platform of Macedonia is open to the different genders, ethnic communities, cultures, generations and physical capabilities, provided they respect the Charter of Principles. Representatives of parties and organisations that are aimed at violent destruction of the constitutional system of Macedonia, at promoting or calling upon military aggression and inciting national, racial or religious intolerance, cannot participate in the Civic Platform of Macedonia.
8. The Civic Platform of Macedonia endeavours to increase the capacity of the civic sector and its capability to mobilise civic society, which will effect strengthening of the civic and political environment.
9. As a framework for the exchange of experiences, the Civic Platform of Macedonia promotes mutual understanding and respect among participating civic organisations, encourages increased dialogue among civic organisations and places special importance on the exchange of experiences among them, as well as on their communications, coordination and cooperation.
10. As a context for mutual relations, the Civic Platform of Macedonia endeavours to strengthen and develop new local, national and international links among civic organisations and other actors in the civic society.
11. The Civic Platform of Macedonia will search for acknowledged civic society concepts and practices, and will promote their development. Civic organisations and initiatives are effective only if they are domestically owned, and if they are rooted in the society. This will contribute towards increased legitimacy, strength and independence.
12. The Civic Platform of Macedonia will encourage capacity building in civic organisations for the mobilisation of domestic support for their goals. With the mobilisation of support and resources at home, the dependence upon international sources of funding will be reduced. The Civic Platform of Macedonia will promote an enabling environment for domestic mobilisation of support and resources.
This will mean developing an identity, image and communications with the public, thus increasing trust.
This will mean a civic sector that works according to the highest ethic standards of responsibility and transparency.
This will mean a possibility to document results and effectiveness of the civic organisations.
13. The Civic Platform of Macedonia, as a context for changes, endeavours to establish partnership relations with the state sector, the business sector and international organisations and agencies in the Republic of Macedonia, for establishing a participative democracy and a socially responsible business sector.
14. The Civic Platform of Macedonia is a process that encourages its participants, regardless whether they place their activities at a local or national level, to participate in the international context (region, Europe and globally), on issues of wider importance and when the international decisions influence the domestic context.
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