Mobilizing for Change: The Interplay of Organized Civil Society, Social Movements, and Public Policies

Comprehend the dynamic interplay between social movements, organized civil society, and the public policy process is a key requirement of democratic governance. The panel explores different aspects related to how social activism influences policy formulation and implementation. The discussions aims to explore theoretical frameworks and empirical case studies that illustrate the mechanisms through which civil society organizations (CSOs) mobilize collective action to advocate for public policies necessary to guarantee rights - to be established or (re)created. Many possibilities are included, such as the role of social movements in policymaking and policy change, the constraints faced by social movements in different political contexts, including authoritarian regimes, the penetration of social movements’ actors in the State. By exploring these themes, the panel intends to deepen our understanding of how organized civil society shapes public policies and fosters democratic engagement, contributing to more inclusive governance structures.