The creation of the Social G20 marks a significant and innovative moment in diplomacy and global politics, in the context of the world's largest economies, highlighting a remarkable effort by the Brazilian presidency of the forum to democratize civil society's access to the G20 policy-making process.
First of all, it should be noted that the G20 was created to discuss economic policies in a less rigid manner. These discussions are held by the presidents and heads of government of countries such as Germany, France, the United States, China, India, Argentina, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and other rich countries.
Throughout the year, ministers from different areas connected to economic affairs consult financial experts and diplomats sent by the governments, who meet to find solutions to economic stalemates and crises involving their countries. At the end of this cycle, the leaders of the nations themselves meet to discuss what has been negotiated during the year and sign a final joint declaration.
In recent years, with the climate crisis, growing social inequality and increasing pressure on rich countries to solve the refugee crisis, the G20 seems to have realized that countries' economic problems and investors' demands cannot be solved by turning a blind eye to these multiple global crises.
As a result, task forces have been set up on various issues, such as the climate and education, for example. Later on, the first G20 engagement group, the Labor 20, was created by the French presidency (the G20 presidency rotates) in 2011. Listening to those who are really experiencing economic problems provides another perspective. Since then, some countries have given the go-ahead for civil society participation in the forum, on different topics:
- Justice 20 (J20) / Justice: Argentina, in 2018.
- Ocean 20 (O20): Indonesia, in 2020.
- Civil 20 (C20) / Civil Society: Russia, in 2013.
- Parliament 20: Canada, in 2010.
- Startup 20: India, in 2023.
- Science 20 (S20): Germany, in 2017.
- Youth 20 (Y20): China, in 2016.
However, the meetings of ministers, diplomats, presidents and prime ministers continued to take place behind closed doors. These engagement groups send a final document with their recommendations to the governments and the points are not always taken into account. The Brazilian government's proposal this year is precisely to change this scenario. To open up an unprecedented space in the rich people's economic forum for civil society to present its demands. Therefore, the Social G20 is being seen as the formalization of civil society in the G20.
At the G20 Social summit, which will take place between November 14 and 16, two days before the G20 Heads of Government summit, representatives of social movements, NGOs, members of the engagement groups and representatives of the leaders of G20 countries will meet in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, at the initiative of the Social G20, representatives of civil society have already taken part in events on the political and financial tracks during the year.
At a recent preparatory meeting for the Social Summit, held at Fundição Progresso in Rio, Gustavo Westmann, president of the Social G20, said that this is a “historic” and “special” moment in the history of the G20. “We not only want to broaden the base of social participation in the G20, but also the real impact of these voices. The engagement groups will take part in the meetings together with the negotiators, together with the sherpas and the finance deputies (personal emissaries of the heads of government for the two areas: political and economic),” Gustavo told the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
The Social G20 also stands out for its commitment to inclusion and the active participation of social movements, which usually have little or no space in international negotiations. The presence of representatives from organizations such as the Central Única das Favelas (CUFA), the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem-Teto (MTST) and the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) on the opening panel, along with figures such as Minister Márcio Macêdo and Minister Marina Silva, underlines, in Westmann's opinion, the importance of an open and broad dialogue with society.
"What we saw is that there are a lot of people from the peripheries, the favelas, other movements, young people, who want and need to be involved in this process. And that's why the Brazilian government is going beyond coordinating the engagement groups, the idea is to bring these new players into the debate. Involve them, listen to their voices. All of this will be consolidated at the G20 Social summit."
Gustavo Westmann, president of the Social G20.
Environment Minister Marina Silva, in her speech at the opening of the preparatory event, emphasized the need to break with the tradition of decisions taken by elites disconnected from local realities, proposing that the Social G20 offer a space in which people's contributions can be evaluated and incorporated into global policies. “This movement reflects a critique of the traditional model, in which popular participation is often limited to protests and demonstrations far removed from the decision-making spheres,” she said.
Thematic axes
The meeting, which had more than 2,300 participants, divided the participants into working groups focused on three main axes: fighting hunger, climate change and just transition, and reforming global governance. These themes are not merely topics for debate; they represent critical areas in which global policies and local practices often clash.
The hunger axis, with 340 participants, addressed fundamental questions about food security and the impact of industrial agricultural practices. The discussion included criticism of the use of pesticides and the influence of transnational corporations, highlighting the need for more sustainable and equitable food production.
The axis on climate change and just transition, with 195 participants, focused on how to ensure that the transition to low-carbon economies does not exacerbate existing inequalities. The central critique here was directed at the agribusiness economic model and the practices of countries in the Global North that intensify gender and racial inequalities in the Global South.
The axis of global governance reform, with 115 participants, addressed the need for more inclusive and participatory governance, highlighting the importance of bringing the voices of civil society to the center of decisions that affect everyone.
The Human Value of Work and Social Justice
A crucial aspect of the discussions was the centrality of the human value of work. Antônio Lisboa, from the CUT, addressed how financial capital and the big transnationals have made decent work secondary, and how this is reflected in issues such as hunger and inequality. Lisboa said that “the idea that the energy transition should be done by us and not just for us is a reflection of the desire for a fairer and more equitable approach”.
In addition, the Social G20 proposes a critical analysis of the economic models that perpetuate inequalities and injustices. The proposals discussed include the need for policies that promote the production of healthy food, the reduction of the influence of pesticides and the creation of a more sustainable and inclusive economic model.
The Social G20 is inspired by the “Conselhão” created by Lula in 2003, a space for dialog with civil society that aims to help the government create and analyze public policies. The proposal is for the Social G20 to act in a similar way, but with a global scope, aiming for greater integration between political and business interests and the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
The challenge is to ensure that this social participation actually translates into effective commitments to implement effective and fair policies, and that the voices of social movements and activists can impact the decisions made by global leaders.
The G20 Social represents an opening, which can be followed by other host countries, to redefine the role of civil society in the multilateral global governance forum. With its thematic axes focused on hunger, climate and governance, and with the inclusion of social movements and civil society organizations, the Social G20 can set a new standard for participation and justice in global politics.
The fact is that interests are diverse and the global economic structure that is being built at this very moment by the world's 20 richest countries demands efforts from all sides. Clearly, there is one side, and the side that has historically benefited the most is the one that needs to give up its privileges in order to do so.
Is participatory governance the future?
The success of this effort will depend on the joint capacity of the countries participating in the Forum of 20 to turn discussions into concrete actions and to ensure that citizens' contributions are properly integrated into global policies.
The challenge has been set, and the hope is that the Social G20 will become a model of how inclusion and participation can contribute to shaping a fairer and more sustainable future. However, due to the non-binding nature of the G20, it is possible that Brazil's initiative will not be taken forward by other countries - the decision depends on who will be in charge of the next countries to assume the presidency of the group. In 2026, it will be South Africa's turn.