The Evolution of Civil Society Engagement to face Global Challenges

The research question this paper addresses is the identification of the subjects that can be embraced under the term ‘civil society’ and the attempt to clarify who is encompassed by this category and who is excluded. Firstly, this paper aims to define the concept of civil society and examine the definition of civil society provided at the international level. Secondly, it focuses on the active role played by civil society actors in claiming for the protection of human rights. Thirdly, it aims at analyzing the requirements it must meet in order to participate in legal proceedings before international and regional courts. In lack of a universal definition, each court or tribunal sets its own standards for their recognition and admission. Finally, the paper focuses on the specific and growing role of civil society in climate litigation, where third-party interventions have become a strategic means of influencing legal reasoning.