By Kumi Naidoo, CIVICUS Secretary-General. It is now widely recognised that civil society organisations have a critical role to play in harnessing meaningful community participation in development processes. However, as globalisation becomes a reality in our everyday lives, and with the increasing democratic deficit both at domestic and international levels, the role of civil society must go beyond acting as a catalyst of change at the local level to include pressing for changes in power structures to enable marginalised groups to play a greater role in influencing decisions that affect their lives.   more »