# What Role Civil Society Plays

> Civil society is the sphere of organizations, communities, experts, initiatives, and associations that exist outside the state but actively influence public life. Under the new constitutional model, civil society gains a stronger role as a channel through which citizens can shape discussion, oversight, and reform.

Canonical URL: https://constitution.my/p/civil-society?lang=en
Language: en
Updated: 2026-07-26

Section: Civic Participation

## What civil society is

Civil society is the space of organized public life outside the state itself. It includes actors who do not exercise state power but who influence public debate, protect interests, and help shape policy outcomes.

It may include:
- NGOs
- public associations
- expert communities
- rights-protection initiatives
- volunteer movements
- local grassroots groups

## Main function

Civil society helps to:

- raise public problems
- draw attention to neglected issues
- provide expertise and alternative proposals
- defend vulnerable groups
- create feedback for state institutions

## Why it matters in a democracy

If only the state speaks and everyone else only reacts, decision-making quality declines. Civil society introduces pluralism, criticism, practical experience, and independent perspectives into the public sphere.

## Place in the new constitutional model

The new constitutional model seeks to make civil society a more visible and effective participant through:

- consultative institutions such as the People’s Council
- public oversight mechanisms
- petitions and public discussion procedures
- rights protection and civic education

## Risk and limitation

The role of civil society must exist in practice, not only in formal text. If participation is merely decorative or independent voices are marginalized, the value of these institutions is weakened.

## Main idea

A strong civil society is not an enemy of the state. It is both a partner and a watchdog that helps improve public decisions.

## Key Facts

- Civil society includes NGOs, associations, expert groups, and grassroots initiatives
- It raises issues, provides expertise, and creates public feedback
- The new model gives it a stronger role in participation and oversight
- Strong civil society improves the quality of public decisions

## Checked sources

- [Official publication of the 2026 Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K2600000000) – Adilet Legal Information System (checked 2026-07-16)
- [Constitutional Law on the Kazakhstan People's Council](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z2600000298) – Adilet Legal Information System (checked 2026-07-16)

## Qaz.Vision context

> На основе концепции Главы государства «Слышащее государство» был выстроен механизм эффективной обратной связи с обществом, предложения граждан по возможности были учтены.

- Ерлан Карин, Государственный советник
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/119)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:2463; unreviewed`

> Президент отметил, что Халық Кеңесі – это уникальная диалоговая площадка, которая будет выполнять важную роль в построении Справедливого Казахстана.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/3131)
- Evidence: `attributed_speech; atom:9346; unreviewed`

> Идея обновления Конституции зародилась два года назад. Затем она получила широкое обсуждение с последующей детальной разработкой проекта нового Основного закона.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/503)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:4177; unreviewed`

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Source: https://constitution.my/p/civil-society?lang=en
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