Name: Nasrin Sotoudeh
Location: Tehran, Iran
Status: Released
Update: Nasrin Sotoudeh was released from prison along with at least ten prisoners of conscience on 18 September 2013.
Media & Resources
Name: Eskinder Nega
Country: Ethiopia
Update:
On 1 May 2013, Ethiopia’s Supreme Court upheld prominent journalist Eskinder Nega’s 18 year prison sentence.
Evgeniy Zhovtis was finally released from jail on 17 February 2012 after a court decision made on 1 February 2012, granting amnesty to him was enforced.
Interview with an Azerbaijan civil society activist
Dr Leila Alieva, President of the Center for National and International Studies in Baku, Azerbaijan, speaks to CIVICUS about the deteriorating civil society environment in her country.
Dr Leila Alieva, President of the Center for National and International Studies (CNIS) in Baku, Azerbaijan, spoke to CIVICUS recently about the deteriorating civil society environment in her country and what international civil society can do to assist colleagues in Azerbaijan.
27 February 2012
Statement by David Bonbright, Board Chair, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
After four highly successful years as Secretary General of CIVICUS, Ingrid Srinath has, reluctantly, resolved to leave us in order to address pressing family matters at the end of her current contract in March 2012.
Invitation to participate in a webinarDate and time: Thursday 1 March 2012, 12:00 -14:00 GMT
Despite the existence of a vast body of national and international law guaranteeing the freedoms of association, assembly and expression, civil society organisations often find themselves impeded from carrying out their mandates.
24 February 2012
The Cassation Bench of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia is expected to hear a petition by the Human Rights Council (HRCO) on 27 February 2012 to admit an appeal against the freezing of its bank accounts.
Sustainable Development Officer and Major Groups Programme CoordinatorUN Department of Economic and Social AffairsDivision for Sustainable Development
Chantal Line Carpentier joined the Division for Sustainable Development of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) as a Sustainable Development Officer in 2007.
Will business as usual trump transformational change at Rio+20?
Bringing it together: organising for civil society effectiveness in Cameroon
Submit an activity proposal for the 2012 World Assembly
CIVICUS plays hosts to young activists for democratic change
Etherington fears emergence of 'fourth sector'
Belarus dissidents defy KGB and the threat of jail in latest crackdown
January 2012 Violations Report
Vacancy: Youth Development Officer for Rio+20
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CIVICUS has conducted a series of interviews with key players involved in the Rio+20 process.
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international movement of civil society dedicated to strengthening freedom of association and citizen’s participation across the globe.
CIVICUS has added it is voice to those of Burundi CSOs to urge the president to release arrested anti-corruption activist and CSO leader Faustin Ndikumana, who faces a prison sentence of up to ten years.
Johannesburg 14 February 2012.
2012: A Civil Society Agenda
NGOs around the world condemn persistent crackdowns on Egyptian civil society and reject disabling draft NGO law
CIVICUS advocates South Africans’ ‘Right to Know’
What does the activism surrounding SOPA reveal about the future of online organising?
Democracy does not apply to Aboriginal people
Human Rights Officer (application deadline 4 March 2012)
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Felix Dodds is part of a number of advisory boards for Rio+20, including the global scientists conference in 2012 'Planet Under Pressure', the German Government sponsored conference 'Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus' in the Green Economy and the Government of Abu Dhabi sponsored conference 'Eye on Earth Summit' framework committee and stakeholder advisory committee.
Guide on Reporting Violations to UN special procedures
CIVICUS deplores sustained harassment of Belarusian NGO
Freedom House: Freedom in the world in 2012?
Interview with a civil society activist: Dale McKinley
Myanmar: More political prisioners released
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CIVICUS interview with Dale McKinley
Dale McKinley, official spokesperson of South Africa’s Right to Know Campaign (R2K) and member of its national working group spoke to CIVICUS about the Protection of Information Bill passed by the National Assembly and awaiting approval of the National Council of Provinces.
Busan, Republic of Korea.
Responding to Increasing Demands of CSO Accountability: Reflections from Phnom Penh and Manila
2012 CIVICUS World Assembly - Registration Now Open
Broadening civic space through voluntary action: Lessons from 2011
Governance advisor: Affiliate support (Application Deadline 24 January 2012)
Fighting hunger & malnutrition: The HUNGaMA survey reportSystemic peacebuilding, conflict transformation & post-war recovery, and reconciliation (OCTR)
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Voluntary citizen participation is an essential part of civil society, which in turn is a key contributor to sustainable development, human rights, good governance and social justice.
What a year 2011 was!
Reporting human rights violations to UN Special Procedures: An Introductory Guide
Parents Forum gets Digital Book World Award
Rio+20: Making it Happen
Human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov goes on termless hunger strike in Kyrgyzstan
Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity
Director General Oxfam Hing Kong (Application deadline 31 January 2012)
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CIVICUS and the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), our partner organisation in the Philippines, co-organised a two-day workshop titled, "Strengthening Accountability of the Civil Society Sector on the 14th and 15th of December 2011 in Manila.
Under the auspices of the project Strengthening Civil Society Engagement with the United Nations: Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan sponsored by the Open Society Foundations, CIVICUS engaged two activists and two regional specialists in learning exchanges with CIVICUS’ Geneva Office from November-December 2011.
Dear friends, partners and supporters,
What a year 2011 was!
Often I found myself quoting Lenin: 'Sometimes decades pass and nothing happens, then weeks pass and decades happen.
The regional workshop on democratising governance through citizen participation brought together representatives of civil society organisations, international organisations and participatory governance practitioners from Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to share experiences in advancing participatory governance, identify key gaps in participatory governance processes at local, national and continental levels and propose solutions aimed at filling these gaps and making participatory governance effective at all levels.
1 November was the official close of the call for submissions to the compilation document for Rio+20.
Andrey Yurov, from the Moscow Helsinki Group, International Youth Human Rights Movement and Head of International Observation Mission in Belarus, talks to Adele Poskitt at CIVICUS during the OSCE Civil Society Parallel conference about the situation for civil society in Belarus.
Andrey Yurov, from the Moscow Helsinki Group, International Youth Human Rights Movement and Head of International Observation Mission in Belarus, talks to Adele Poskitt at CIVICUS during the OSCE Civil Society Parallel conference about the situation for civil society in Belarus.
Dear Friends and Partners,
From the Arab Spring to the Occupy Wall Street protests, 2011 will be remembered as the year we realised the power we hold to change the world.
A propos de l’ISC-Rapide
L’auto-évaluation de la société civile contribue à renforcer les bases factuelles pour le rôle plaidoyer de la société civile, fournissant une plateforme pour la société civile pour identifier les besoins communs, et pour aider à la planification et l'élaboration de stratégies autour des défis et des opportunités communes.
Human Rights Council 18th SPECIAL SESSIONThe Human Rights Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic
2 December 2011Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you, Mme President,
CIVICUS is deeply concerned at the crimes against humanity being committed in Syria as we speak.
by Andrew Firmin, Acting Research Manager, CIVICUS
International Volunteer Day, and the culmination of the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers, offers an opportunity to emphasise the important role of volunteerism in civic life.
This joint submission from Association for Progressive Communictaion (APC), Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), CIVICUS, Gender Links Highway Africa Chair in Media and Information Society, IDASA, ODAC, Right 2 Know, Southern African NGO Network (SANGONet), Section27 and SERI focuses on: freedom of expression; the right to information; freedom from censorship; freedom of the press; the right to privacy; and the importance of affordable access to the internet.
Since the last High Level Forum in Accra, more than 20,000 civil society organisations (CSOs) - including trade unions, women’s groups, youth groups, faith-based organisations and other social movements – in more than 90 countries, have been consulted on the process, agenda and expected outcomes of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF-4) that is meeting here in Busan.
CIVICUS outlines urgent concerns related to the environment in which civil society activists and human rights defenders operate in the Philippines.
CIVICUS outlines urgent concerns related to the environment in which civil society activists and human rights defenders operate in Brazil, and about threats faced by them in the exercise of the freedoms of expression, association and assembly.
About the CSI-RA
Civil society self-assessment contributes to strengthening the evidence base for civil society advocacy; providing a platform for civil society to identify shared needs; and assisting the planning and strategising of civil society around common challenges and opportunities.
The State of Civil Society 2011: Through an Artist's Lens
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is seeking the ‘design of the year’ for the cover of The State of Civil Society 2011 report.
CIVICUS and the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) outline urgent concerns related to the environment in which civil society, human rights activists and ordinary citizens operate in Bahrain, and the vicious attacks by government security forces on those who dare to exercise their rights of expression, assembly and association.
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation launched its new civil society self-assessment tool, the Civil Society Index Rapid Assessment (CSI-RA) at the Africa Forum on Civil Society and Governance Assessments, 10 to 12 November 2011.
Background
Gender mainstreaming in projects is about using participatory approaches in all project stages.
Background
Civil society has the potential to have a positive impact on social exclusion and gender equality, this is why this toolkit has been designed to be a practical resource that can be used when designing activities, programs as well as being an input to more complex planning processes, such as a strategic plan.
Background
This tool was produced to help guide the conversations that took place under the CIVICUS Youth Assembly at the International Civil Society Week.
Background
This tool was created by DataShift, an initiative that builds the capacity and confidence of civil society organisations to produce and use citizengenerated data (CGD) to monitor sustainable development progress, demand accountability and campaign for transformative change.
Background
This toolkit is part of a larger effort by DataShift to strengthen organisational capacity to work with data in an actionable way through the Data for Action programme.
Background
The guide is part of a series of experiments to determine whether human-centered design survey techniques can improve the ease, quality, diversity and usability of data collected from beneficiaries.
Background
The guide is part of a series of experiments to determine whether human-centered design survey approach can improve the quality, diversity and usability of data collected.
Background
This guide has been developed in liaison with the Open Institute, to provide the essential steps for running a project based on Citizen Generated Data in all its guises.
Background
The content is presented as an audio presentation that takes the user through the different elements of designing and conducting an interview, how to recruit participants, keep confidential information and utilizing the data.
Background
This is an audio training guide on how to design, prepare for and run focus group discussions.
Background
This tool is presented as an audio training that aims at preparing CS practitioners in the art of selecting and using enumerators in surveys.
Background
This tool has been turned into an audio and video training that aims at generating expertise in survey design and use.
Background
This tool has been developed by the CIVICUS Resilient Roots project team to support project partners to strategise for and design their 12-month pilot accountability project.
To Member States of the United Nations Human Rights Council:
Joint Call by Civil Society for a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council to consider the findings of the Syrian Commission of Inquiry and ensure accountability
22 November, 2011
Your Excellency,
As civil society organizations from around the world we urgently call on the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) to convene a special session on Syria immediately after the release of the report of the HRC International Commission of Inquiry on Syria (the Commission of Inquiry), which is due before the end of November 2011.
The online film festival gives Every Human Has Rights (EHHR) and Tri Continental Film Festival (TCFF) a new platform to raise awareness about human rights abuses.
The clothes have no emperor
Just how much can the state restrict a peaceful protest?
Call for "Snapshots"
TCFF and EHHR launch online film festival
CIVICUS interview with Billy Mayaya
Bill is a ‘shameful moment’ for Israel
Palestinian civil society launches campaign to reform international aid to Palestine in run up to Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness
And much more.
Read the call in:
English | French | Spanish | Russian | Portuguese Chinese
ENGLISH
The State of Civil Society 2011 is a new initiative of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and it will be the only annual report on the health and state of civil society, and the enabling environment for civil society, authored by the civil society sector itself.
Occupy: Reinventing leadership, governance and economic paradigms
Promoting Human Rights in Uzbekistan - a Crisis Response Fund Appeal
Nnimmo Bassey on what to expect from Durban climate talks
On the road to Busan: Interview with Emele Duituturaga
Third day of the trial against Ales Bialiatski: clear signs of a politically-motivated trial
And much more.
Billy Mayaya, Programme Manager, Church and Society (CCAP Nkohma Synod), the human Rights and advocacy department of the Presbyterian Church in Malawi spoke to CIVICUS about the current political situation in the country and the targeted threats civil society members.
Dear members and partners,
We would like to kindly remind you that CIVICUS, as Operating Partner of the NGO Major Group facilitating the Rio+20 process, is very much interested in receiving your contributions to the Zero draft of the Rio+20 outcome document by the November 1st deadline (5pm Eastern Standard time, close of business in New York).
CIVICUS is joining fellow civil society organisations to urge G20 leaders to put human rights norms and principles at the centre of their decision-making on financial regulation and climate change during their upcoming Summit in Cannes, France.
Opening Plenary: The Global Context for Civil Society
by Ingrid Srinath
Where do we, civil society, find ourselves as we near the end of 2011?
The heady optimism of the 1990s following the fall of the Berlin wall and its promise of a global wave of democracy and freedom, and the growing power of citizen action symbolized by the protests at the WTO in Seattle were quickly followed by a decade of the “war on terror” used as an excuse by many governments around the world to restrict freedoms of information, expression, and assembly.
Name: Ales Bialiatski
Location: Belarus
Update:
Belarusian civil society activist, Ales Bialiatski, was freed from prison on 21 June 2014 after spending almost three years in prison due to his peaceful human rights activities.
Uganda was reviewed recently by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.
October 20, 2011 To: All Member States of the UN General Assembly Dear Ambassador, In light of the Security Council’s failure to address the violence by Syria’s security forces against their own people, we call on the UN General Assembly urgently to adopt a resolution demanding that the Syrian government immediately halt all unlawful use of lethal and excessive force against demonstrators, end the arbitrary arrest and torture of detainees, account for all those who have been subject to enforced disappearances, cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry established by the UN Human Rights Council, allow the unrestricted deployment of human rights monitors, and grant access to humanitarian organizations and independent journalists.
People power for aid effectiveness
CIVICUS Secretary General at Commonwealth People's Forum
Joint Open Letter on Bahrain
Cuba 'Ladies in White' founder Laura Pollan dies
Bahrain: Repression against workers and attacks against Trade Union Rights are still going on
G20 finance ministers face growing public anger for failing to reform financial system
Civil Society at a Crossroads?
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Dear Commonwealth Heads of Governments,
This letter follows an earlier letter on this subject that many of us jointly wrote to Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, prior to their meeting in New York on 22 September 2011.
Opening Up Uganda’s Civil Society Space at the United Nations Human Rights Council
Together with our colleagues from Uganda, Civicus organized a side event at the United Nations Human Rights Council on October 10, 2011, focusing on Civil Society Space in Uganda.
Today the 12th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) comes to an end and with it the first cycle.
CIVICUS Secretary General Ingrid Srinath is travelling to Perth, Australia, from 25-28 October 2011, to take civil society messages to Commonwealth decision-makers.
The Conference on Volunteer Action for Development will be taking place from the 17 – 19 of October at the FNB Learning Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg.
Authoritarian regimes, co-opted institutions, the absence of enabling legislation and a persecuted civil society are some of the central factors holding back the fulfilment of the fundamental rights of freedoms of many an African citizen.
South Africa fails an ethical test: Dalai Lama cancels planned visit
Q&A: Africa's legislated civil society crackdown
Comments and proposals on the second draft of the Busan draft outcome document
Civic Engagement Measurement System
Bahrain medical staff sentenced for treating protesters
Civil society comes of age in Jamaica
World Bank-IMF annual meetings 2011
Online Consultation on the CFS Global Strategic Framework
Read this issue online.
Following the publication of the revised Busan Outcome Document (BOD), CIVICUS has raised several concerns regarding the global trend of the increasing dis-enabling environment for CSOs that affects their effectiveness and role as independent development actors.
28 September 2011, Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you, Mme President,
This is a joint statement by our partner the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia, which represents over 130 members as well as the more than 400 endorsees of the Joint Statement on the Law on Association and NGOs.
Trying to use a water pistol to stop a charging rhino
IMF-World Bank civil society town hall meeting
Joint letter to Secretary of State Clinton regarding Uzbekistan
Busan CSO pre-event; Register now
Africa's energy future heading down a dark tunnel
Sentencing to prison of lawyer Moses Richards, a chilling message to the Gambian human rights community
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Cyril Ritchie*
The world is today a poorer place, following the immensely regretted death of Wangari Maathai, an outstanding woman, an outstanding humanist, an outstanding innovator, an outstanding civil society activist, an outstanding leader.
Remarks by Laila Iskandar, Chairperson, CID Consulting (a social enterprise in Cairo, Egypt), Board Chair, Spirit of Youth NGO in Cairo (situated in the garbage collectors’ neighbourhood of Manchiyet Nasser), and Member, Global Recyclers without Borders Network
Thank you for the invitation to this Town Hall meeting.
An analysis of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index 2008-2011 findings on volunteerism
The recently completed 2008-2011 CIVICUS Civil Society Index, a comprehensive analysis of civil society in 35 countries, offers an opportunity to assess the health of people’s participation and activism.
The US government should not move toward “business as usual” with Uzbekistan, a group of 20 human rights organizations, labor and consumer groups, trade unions, investors, and other organizations said today in a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
September 27, 2011
Hillary Rodham ClintonSecretary of StateUS Department of StateHarry S.
18th session of the Human Rights Council Item 4
Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you Mme President,
During the recent 10th World Assembly of CIVICUS (10-12 September) our members and partners from the ground asked to bring to the Council following strong concerns:
1.
16th session of the Human Rights Council
23 September 2011
Delivered by Mme Heimat KUKU
Thank you Mme.
18th session of the Human Rights Council Item 4
Interactive Dialogue
20 September 2011
Delivered by Anna Dobrovolskaya
Thank you Mme President,
I speak on behalf of the Youth Human Rights Movement, a member/partner of CIVICUS.
Defining civil society
CIVICUS call for papers: 10th International Society for Third Sector Research conference, Siena, Italy
Sign the petition to free Ales Bialiatski
MDGs: Time to get it rightWhen the road to democracy gets hijacked
Aid transparency campaigners welcome new ‘open-government’ initiative
And loads more!
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By Mr Letshego Mokeki, National TISDA Coordinator, Transparency International (TI)
Following up on findings of their research report, TI is currently undertaking two campaigns in South Africa to strengthen civil society and capacity in financial management in primary education.
The 10th International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) on the theme “Democratisation, Marketisation and the third sector’, will take place during July 10-13, 2012 in Siena, Italy.
The special issue of the e-CIVICUS, highlighting happenings, news and opinions from the just concluded CIVICUS World Assembly in Montreal.
Civil society is undergoing its most significant crisis and change for a generation.
This report provides the first description of the quantitative data from the second implementation phase (2008 to 2011) of CIVICUS' Civil Society Index, bringing together the information from a set of 25 countries for which the data was finalised at the time of writing.
Join the conversation from the largest global gathering of civil society: the CIVICUS World Assembly
The dialogue stretches beyond Montreal! The spirit of the CIVICUS World Assembly is reaching far beyond the Palais Des Congres in Montreal.
Johannesburg 5 September 2011.
This is the final instalment of our conversation with Ms.
Download summary reports (English) (French) (Spanish)
Bridging the gaps: Citizens, Organisations and Dissociation(function() { var scribd = document.
On Friday 2 September in Johannesburg, CIVICUS will launch our new report on the health of civil society, Bridging the Gaps: citizens, organisations and dissociation.
Français
From 2010 to 2012, the CIVICUS World Assembly is being co-hosted by the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM) in Montreal, Canada.
Mario Lubetkin is Secretary General for Inter Press Services (IPS), a communications institution with a global news agency at its core and is dedicated to raising the voices of the South and of civil society.
Ales Bialiatski, a prominent civil society activist in Belarus, was arrested on 4 August 2011.
CIVICUS and the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) declared their full support for the peaceful protests and the legitimate demands of the Syrian people during the Special Session on Syria at the UN Human Rights Council today.
Social activist, Makoma Lekalakala*, recently sat down with Elizabeth Hira, of CIVICUS’ Policy Unit, to discuss climate change from the perspective of South Africans, the task of mobilisation, and the role of women in climate justice.
Gino Govender, a seasoned civil society and trade union activist has recently joined Amnesty International’s International Mobilization team.
CIVICUS recently joined several international civil society organisations in writing to the Government of Angola to draw attention to a number of concerns and to present urgent requests with regard to the humanrights situation in Angola.
Melita Steele has been with Greenpeace Africa as a climate and energy campaigner for a year and a half.
Click to view on YouTube
Click to listen/download from iTunes store
On Wednesday 20 July, 2011, CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, hosted a webinar, geared towards developing policy recommendations for civil society organisations (CSOs), public and private sector donors and governments to enable them to bridge the gap between traditional CSOs and online activists.
A teleconference hosted by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation 14:00 – 16:00 GMT on Friday 12 August 2011
It is my pleasure to invite you to participate in a regional consultation geared towards identifying and better understanding the key issues and state of civil society in the region, as well as how governments, CSOs and the private sector can better support the strengthening of civil society in the region.
Melita Steele, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace Africa, speaks to Elizabeth Hira of CIVICUS
Melita Steele has been with Greenpeace Africa as a climate and energy campaigner for a year and a half.
30 MARCH 2011 - ARTICLE 19, CIVICUS:World Alliance for Citizen Participation, the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), and the World Movement for Democracy welcome the appointment of Maina Kiai as the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Johannesburg, 21 February 2011.
Analysis
The sanctity of life: Norway and Somalia - a study in contrast
Civil Society and post-disaster reconstruction: the case of Japan
The Making of Social Justice: Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
News
Egypt civil society decries decision to ban international monitoring of the elections
Time for democratic dialogue in Malawi - not death threats and unfounded treason charges
After Sri Lanka polls, civil society groups say 'voters were threatened'
NEWS RELEASE – Statement by the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Trust (SAHRDT) Johannesburg, July 26: In the wake of last week’s bloody demonstrations in Malawi, the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Trust (SAHRDT) calls on President Bingu wa Mutharika to engage in an open, national debate about the country’s future – rather than resorting to more inflammatory attacks on civil society leaders and pro-democracy activists.
CIVICUS invita a activistas, investigadores y profesionales de la sociedad civil, a líderes empresariales responsables y a representantes de agencias de desarrollo a compartir ideas y experiencias sobre el fortalecimiento de la participación ciudadana y a vincularse con representantes de organizaciones donantes y gobiernos.
Analysis
2011: Can it be the Year of Reckoning - ingrid Srinath
Food insecurity and the future
News
Zimbabwe: Inconsistency of charges against activists highlight deteriorating human rights situation (Press release)
Malawi erupts in anti-government protests
Interview by: Elizabeth Hira, Human Rights Activist and Policy Unit Intern, CIVICUS
With: Kelly Dent, Senior Climate Change Policy Advisor for Oxfam International
Kelly Dent is Oxfam International’s resident expert on climate change.
PRETORIA – “South Africa is a champion of institutionalizing social, economic and cultural rights such as the human right to food, but it has yet to prove it can deliver results for 12 million poor food insecure people, 70 per cent of which live in rural areas,” said Olivier De Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, on the last day of his official mission to South Africa*.
Arthur Larok, Director of Programmes at the Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGO), the newest addition to CIVICUS’ Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) family, discusses whether there is a new beginning with the NGO Law Reform Process in Uganda.
A virtual consultation hosted by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen ParticipationWednesday 20 July, 2011 at 1 pm UTC/GMT
The purpose of this thematic consultation is to develop policy recommendations for civil society organisations, public and private sector donors and governments to enable them to bridge the gap between traditional CSOs and online activists.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Excellencies and colleagues;
I thank you for this opportunity you gave me to address you on this distinct and historical occasion.
Analysis
Co-operation for effective development: Looking to Busan
Voices on the road to COP 17: Who should lead the fight on climate change? You should
News
US violated Egypt’s sovereignty by offering funds to NGOs, says minister
Rich nations risk breaking their pledges on farming aid, says anti-poverty group
Interview by: Elizabeth Hira, Human Rights Activist and Policy Unit Intern, CIVICUS
Mandeep Tiwana, Policy Manager at CIVICUS, discusses climate change, COP17, and why ordinary people need to lead the fight.
CIVICUS is looking to develop a comprehensive intranet and knowledge management system using Microsoft’s SharePoint 2010 and associated software including:
Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 (email)
Microsoft Project (Project management)
Microsoft Lync/Communication Server (IM Chats, Group chat, VOIP and conference calling)
Visio (on-going work flow designs)
CIVICUS is seeking proposals from consultants to implement this solution between August and October 2011.
Challenges Facing Women Human Rights Defenders in Africa: Building Momentum for Mobilisation
On the 27 July 2011, a webinar was held on building momentum for mobilisation to address the challenges facing women human rights defenders in Africa.
In this article, CIVICUS' Ingrid Srinath spoke with Justin Kilcullen of Trócaire at “If We Were Brave – Leadership Beyond Budget Cuts”, the first Masterclass organised by DTALK Learning, the Irish Aid mandated development training centre at Kimmage Manor Development Studies Centre.
If We Were Brave…
Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General - CIVICUS
“NGOs should be involved in renegotiating the social contract, joining with states and markets to redefine what kind of society we want nationally and globally.
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation at the 8th Regional Conference of the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) for Latin American and the Caribbean Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina – 12- 14 July, 2011.
From a country so repressed that a dissenting word against government will result in a prison sentence, Yuri Dzhibladze*, Founder and President of the Center for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights in Moscow, writes why the international community must not forget Belarus.
Geneva, 7 July 2011
“First of all let me thank you most sincerely for your very kind words and also your strong support and warm welcome on my reappointment as the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Below are the questions asked by parties who wanted additional information re our request for proposals for the implementation of our CRM strategy using CiviCRM.
Johannesburg, 5 July 2011.
CIVICUS' UN Representative in Geneva, Renate Bloem, made an intervention today that the UN Economic and Social Council reaffirming that "CIVICUS believes that UN member states and global civil society need to work together to ensure quality education for all, in accordance with international norms and best practices.
Analysis
Unexpected Revolutions? - Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), Beirut.
Two hundred Civil Society Platforms and membership Organizations, representing over 10,000 national,international and Global CSOs have endorsed an International Framework that includes five Standards to respect, empower and protect Civil Society around against negative government and Donor actions.
The persecution of civil society activists and organizations, whether they are fighting for justice and law, or clean and open government, or public health, or a safe environment, or honest elections, it's not just an attack against people we admire, it's an attack against our own fundamental beliefs.
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemente din Guinea by the National Council for Civil Society Organisations in Guinea (CNOSGC) in artnership with the United Nations Development Pfrogramme (UNDP).
CIVICUS is seeking proposals from consultants who have demonstrable capacities implementing constituent relationship management (CRM) solutions to implement CIVICUS' CRM strategy.
CIVICUS is calling for individuals interested in lending their voluntary services for the translation of the new CIVICUS website and other promotional materials.
Analysis
A tale of two chiefs - Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General CIVICUS
Russia and China Failing UN Security Council Commitment: CIVICUS
An Art, Not a Science - Adele Poskitt, Policy Officer, CIVICUS
Why South Africa must not enact the Secrecy Bill - Mandep Tiwana, Policy Manager CIVICUS
Voices of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan civil society heard at the UN - Will Lasky, Eurasia Project Coordinator, CIVICUS
From conversations lives can be changed - Rowena McNaughton, Media Officer, CIVICUS
Two significant global institutions are currently engaged in filling vacancies at the top.
By Mandeep Tiwana, Policy Manager, CIVICUS
South African lawmakers are currently meeting in committee to discuss, clause by clause, various aspects of the Protection of Information Bill being championed by the government.
Limited information and awareness of the notorious violations of human rights in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reaches the international community.
Johannesburg 22 June 2011.
The time has almost come to finalise the consolidation of the findings of the Open Forum process – it is now exactly one week to the second and final Global Assembly 2011 of the Open Forum, 28 to 30 June in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Background
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) form an ambitious agenda for reducing poverty and improving lives.
Background
This advocacy toolkit is an output of the Sustainable Development 2015 (SD2015) programme, a multi-stakeholder engagement programme run in 2015 by Stakeholder Forum and CIVICUS, in collaboration with UN DESA.
Background
This short guide draws upon the experiences and lessons learned from the DataShift initiative’s engagement with government and other stakeholders in Kenya and Tanzania on the use of multiple sources of data to monitor progress on SDG 5 (gender equality), along with inputs from an A4SD (Action for Sustainable Development) event held during the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) this September.
Background
Civil society organisations (CSOs) are occupying more and more spaces in the public sphere, gaining access to more financial and political resources, advocating for civil society and citizen activism, and increasingly influencing public policies and fostering social change.
Dear Friends, Comrades, Brothers and Sisters,
These are the words Kumi frequently uses to communicate with the broad family of influential people he has worked with over the years and I hope you will allow me to address you in this way also.
17th session of the Human Rights CouncilItem 4 Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention15 June 2011
Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you Mr.
Dear CIVICUS member, partner and friend, As you may have heard already, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on 6 June 2011 his intention to seek a second term of office after his current five-year term expires on 31 December 2011.
David Kode, Policy Officer for CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation*
I was asked by the Africa Platform for Development Effectiveness to give a presentation on civil society perspectives/updates towards the Busan High Level Forum during the Platform’s Case Studies Peer Review Session which ran from 5-7 June 2011.
Interview by: Elizabeth Hira, Human Rights Activist and Policy Unit Intern for CIVICUS
Henri Valot has just rejoined CIVICUS as the Outreach Director, although his relationship with the organisation began in 2005 when he served as the CIVICUS Policy Advisor.
To the Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council
RE: Bahrain: Call for individual delegations to demonstrate commitment to ensuring that the situation in Bahrain is brought before the Human Rights Council within Item 4 statements
Geneva, 10th June 2011
Your Excellency,
As civil society organizations from around the world, we urge your delegation to make a strong statement and condemn the grave and deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain at the UN Human Rights Council (Council/HRC) under Agenda Item 4 (“Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention”) that will take place at the HRC next week, the 15th of June.
Interactive Dialogue
9 June 2011
Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you Mr.
Theme: “Examining critical success factors for participatory governance”
Date: 23 June 2011
In order to participate, please register/RSVP to RegularLabs.
Ireland: Big questions, no easy answers - Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General CIVICUS
The role of constituency building in advancing gender equality - Sifiso Dube, Gender and Diversity Officer, CIVICUS
Civil society organisations urge Human Rights Council to condemn crackdown in Bahrain and Yemen
Aid policy: Classifications questioned in protracted crises
Reimagining food systems in the midst of a hunger crisis
2011 Global Development Awards and Medals Competition
Resident Representative (application deadline 21 June 2011)
Read this issue online now.
Brussels, 9 June 2011.
Sifiso Dube, Gender and Diversity Officer, CIVICUS
Many methods have been crafted as a way of achieving gender equality by civil society, governments and the private sector.
Travelling to Ireland this week I find myself speculating on the likelihood that it could see an outbreak of people power of the scale, intensity and persistence that has been witnessed in the Arab world and, more recently, in Spain.
Dear Journalist,
In September, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, international civil society groups, donars and government representatives will unite at 10th CIVICUS World Assembly in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
“What we want from Busan is ambition - to pass from the idea of aid effectiveness to development effectiveness”
“We don’t need more empty words on a sheet of paper”
Civil society voice a wish list for the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF4), in November and December this year in Busan, South Korea, in a new collective video just launched, giving access to Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) views from all over the world in the run up to the event.
The Coming Global Food Fight - John Cavanagh and Robin Broad
G8 declaration won't work without effective development aid
Botswana: Mounting tension must end says South African civil society coalition
Aid Policy: What the numbers don't tell you
Are you part of positive change in the Arab world?
The 12th AWID International Forum On Women's Rights And Development: Submission deadline extended
Civil Society vacancies and other opportunities
Read this issue free online and subscribe to get future issues by email
A flotilla of three passenger and three cargo ships departed off the coast of Cyprus on 30 May 2010 under United States, Greece, and Turkey flags carrying a combined 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian and reconstruction supplies along with over 600 passengers bound for Gaza.
In the culmination of an intensive six-year process to devise a widely-accepted framework to govern the relationship between businesses and human rights, United Nations Special Representative Professor John Ruggie presented his Final Report on 30 May.
As food prices force millions more under the threshold of absolute poverty into hunger, with predictable consequences even as aid promises are reneged upon, John Cavanagh and Robin Broad outline a route beyond food security to food sovereignty through rooted communities in this week's guest editorial.
To Permanent Representatives of all member states of the UN Human Rights Council
RE: Addressing the situation of human rights in Belarus at the UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, May 30, 2011
Your Excellency,
The undersigned NGOs are writing to urge your Government to support the adoption of a resolution on the human rights situation in Belarus at the 17th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).
Click here to download
Click here to download.
Click here to download
It's time for a new international development paradigm for Least Developed Countries, writes David Kode, Policy Officer at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
World Leaders and policy makers have a remarkable capacity to emulate progress without actually achieving anything.
Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General CIVICUS
European powers appear set on perpetuating their arbitrary "entitlement" to the position of Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund in the wake of the controversy that precipitated the resignation earlier this month of Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
Budget squeeze no excuse to let targets slip
BRUSSELS, 6th May, 2011: The first UN summit for the world's poorest countries in a decade must ensure that developed nations make good on commitments to help the most destitute, a global coalition of over 1000 civil society organizations said today.
Johannesburg, 10 May 2011.
Uganda: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review at the 12th Session of the UPR Working Group - click to download (PDF)
CIVICUS is calling for the immediate and complete withdrawal of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda.
The Civil Society Index is proud to announce the completion and release of twenty-five (25) new reports in the latest round.
Human Rights Council
16th SPECIAL SESSION on the Situation of Human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic
29 April 2011
Mr.
Human Rights Council
15th SPECIAL SESSION ON the Situation of Human Rights in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
25 February 2011
Mr.
On 23 March 2011, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, President of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), gabled the appointment of Maina Kiai to become the new Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (SR on FoAA).
The 2nd Meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on theReview of the Work and Functioning of the Human Rights Council23 February 2011
Mr.
To: Permanent Representatives of all member states of the UN Human Rights Council Geneva, 21 February 2011
RE: NGO call for a UN Human Rights Council resolution on the situation of human rights in Belarus
Your Excellency,We are writing to urge you to support the adoption of a resolution on Belarus at the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Human Rights CouncilFollow up to the15th SPECIAL SESSION ON the Situation of Human Rights in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
14 March 2011
M.
16th session of the Human Rights Council
Item 3: Interactive Dialogue on SR HR defenders10 March 2011
Delivered by Slava Mamedov
Thank you Mr.
World Press Freedom DayUnited Nations Geneva 3 May 2011
"Twenty years on from the Windhoek Declaration:Freedom of the press in a changed world"
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
16th session of the Human Rights Council
Item 2: Annual Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Interactive Dialogue, 3 March 2011Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you Mr.
Geneva, 2 March 2011
Letter from Civil Society Organizations to State Representatives:
“Defamation of Religions” at the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Excellency,
We are writing to you to strongly urge your government to actively engage in the negotiations in the resolution on “combating defamation of religions” at the 16th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (“the Council”) that is currently taking place.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 21 December 2010 - CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation applauds the court order last Friday to free 43 health workers, but remains concerned that the immediate release of at least five of the health workers has been delayed due to the authorities' new claim of unrelated warrants against them.
This new Civil Society Organisation in Situations of Conflict report authored by CIVICUS in partnership with the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness summarises working conditions in more than 46 countries worldwide.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Fiji by the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index was implemented in New Zealand from 2000 to 2001 by the ANGOA – Association of NGOs in Aotearoa, with support of the New Zealand Social and Civic Policy Institute for the research, and the international coordination of CIVICUS.
Albania
Belarus
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Estonia
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Italy
Kosovo
Macedonia
Montenegro
Northern Ireland
Poland
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Serbia
Slovenia
The Netherlands
Ukraine
Wales
Between 2008 and 2010, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Albania by the Institute for Democracy and Mediation, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Belarus from 2000 to 2001 by the Belarus Support Centre for Associations and Foundations (SCAF), leading to a report presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Bulgaria by the Balkan Assist Association (BAA), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Croatia from 2000 to 2002 by the Centre for Development of Non-Profit Organizations (CERANEO), leading to a first report.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Czech Republic by the Czech Republic by the Society Development Foundation (NROS), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index was implemented in Estonia from 2000 to 2001 by the Open Estonia Foundation, leading to a report presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.
From 2008-2010 the Civil Society Index was implemented in Georgia by the Caucasus institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD), with the support of the Open Society Institute.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Germany by the Maecenata Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society at Humboldt University, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
In 2005, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Greece by Access2democracy, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Italy by CittadinanzAttiva with the support of the Active Citizenship Foundation (FONDACA) and the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Kosovo by the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), with financial support from Balkan Trust for Democracy.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Macedonia by the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2005 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Montenegro by the Center for Development of Non-governmental Organisations (CRNVO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Northern Ireland by Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
In 2005, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Poland by Klon, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Romania in 2001 by the Civil Society Development Foundation (CSDF), leading to a first report.
From 2003 to 2005, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Russia by the St.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Scotland by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Serbia by the Research and Analytical Center ARGUMENT in collaboration with the Center for the Development of the Non-profit Sector (CDNPS).
From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Slovenia by the Legal Information Centre for NGOs, guided by a working group of 17 civil society experts, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The informal civil society network, DeNieuwe Dialoog (The New Dialogue) implemented the CIVICUS Civil Society Index -Short Assessment Tool in the Netherlands over the course of 2006.
The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Ukraine from 2000 to 2001 by the League of Regional Resource Centres and the Counterpart Creative Centre (CCC), leading to a first report.
The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Wales from 2001 to 2002 by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), leading to a first report.
Armenia
Azerbaijan
China
Cyprus
Georgia
Hong Kong
India (Orissa)
Indonesia
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Lebanon
Mongolia
Nepal
Pakistan
Philippines
South Korea
Taiwan
Turkey
Vietnam
From 2005 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Armenia by the Center for the Development of Civil Society (CDCS), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Azerbaijan by the International Center for Social Research (ICSR), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Cyprus by the Intercollege (southern Cyprus) and the Management Centre (northern Cyprus), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in the Indian state of Orissa by the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD).
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Kazakhstan by the Public Policy Research Centre
Guide for Strengthening civil society
The report identifies key strengths and weaknesses of civil society in Kazakhstan.
From 2008 to 2010 the CSI was implemented in the Philippines by Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO).
From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in South Korea by the Third Sector Institute at Hanyang University with a National Advisory Group (NAG) drawn from people across a wide range of civil society sectors, and the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2004 to 2005, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Turkey by the Third Sector Foundation of Turkey (TUSEV), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
Argentina
Bolivia
Canada
Chile
Ecuador
Guatemala
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Uruguay
Venezuela
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Argentina by Grupo de Análisis y Desarrollo Institucional y Social (GADIS),with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Bolivia by the Center for Peasants’ Research and Development (CIPCA) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index was implemented in Canada from 2000 to 2001 by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy*, leading to a report presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Chile by Fundación Soles, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Ecuador by Fundaci ón Esquel, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Guatemala by the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) in collaboration with the Civil Society and Social Movement Program at the Latin American College of Social Sciences (FLASCO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Honduras by Centro Hondureño de Promoción para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CEHPRODEC).
From 2005 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Jamaica by the Association of Development Agencies (ADA), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Mexico by Centro Mexicano Para La Filantropía CEMEFI and Iniciativa Ciudadana para la Promoción de la Cultura del Diálogo.
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Nicaragua by La Red Nicaraguėnse por la Democracia y el Desarrollo Local (RNDDL).
The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Uruguay from 2000 to 2001 by the Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo (ICD), leading to a first report.
From 2009-2010 the Civil Society Index (CSI) was implemented in Venzuela by SINERGIA, with local partnerships with the Development Efficiency Forum and the Association and NGOs Networks Articulation Board in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Egypt
Ghana
Liberia
Morocco
Mozambique
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
From 2004 to 2005, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Egypt by the Center for Development Services (CDS), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Ghana by the Ghana Association of Private Voluntary Organisations in Development (GAPVOD), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2008 to 2010 the Civil Society Index was implemented in Liberia by AGENDA, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Morocco by L'Espace Associatif and supported by the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Solidarity in Morocco.
Between March and December 2007, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Mozambique by the Foundation for Community Development (FDC), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2005 to 2007, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Nigeria by Action Aid Nigeria and Development Information Network (DevNet), with the support of UNDP Nigeria and the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Rwanda by the Conseil de Concertation des Organisations d'Appui aux Initiatives de Base (CCOAIB), with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
From 2008-2010 the Civil SOciety Index was implemented in Senegal by Forum Civil, with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Sierra Leone by Campaign for Good Governance in collaboration with Christian Aid – Sierra Leone, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index was implemented in South Africa in 2001 by the Co-operative for Research and Education (CORE) and the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), in cooperation with the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
The Civil Society Index (CSI) project was implemented in Tanzania between 2008-2010 by the Concern for Development Initiatives in Africa, ForDIA, with assistance from the United Nations Development Initiative (UNDP).
From July 2005 to March 2006, FONGTO worked in partnership with Plan Togo and CIVICUS to implement the Civil Society Index Shortened Assessment Tool (CSI-SAT) study in Togo.
From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Uganda by the Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.
From 2008-2010, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Zambia by the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD), with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and technical support form the CIVICUS CSI Team.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 21 December 2010 -- CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation applauds the court order last Friday to free 43 health workers, but remains concerned that the immediate release of at least five of the health workers has been delayed due to the authorities' new claim of unrelated warrants against them.
For immediate release
OSCE Summit Fails to Deliver: A Wasted Opportunity to Strengthen the Human Dimension
(Astana, 2 December) In the face of acute human rights challenges in the OSCE region, the organisers of the Parallel OSCE Civil Society Conference lamented OSCE participating states' failure to take steps to strengthen implementation of the organisations Human Dimension commitments.
CIVICUS joins civil society groups from around the world in demanding the immediate release of Ameer Makhoul, Director of Ittijah, an association of community-based Arab organisations based in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
An open letter from Ingrid Srinath (Secretary General, CIVICUS) to the H.
Adele Poskitt
This week I tasted the bitter-sweet fear that is keeping Zimbabwe on its knees.
Civil society has been defined as the space between state, private sector and family or community.
"Arbitrary arrests, detentions and intimidation of activists, journalists and political opponents in Syria by security forces and members of the intelligence unit is no way to respond to legitimate calls for reforms by citizens in Syria," said Netsanet Belay, Policy and Research Director for CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation.
CIVICUS is pleased to announce the winners of its latest round of Innovation Awards.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) around the world are mobilising resources, actions and advocacy to influence key global processes this year.
Name: Ameer Makhoul
Country: Israel
Reason behind bars:
Ameer Makhoul, prominent Palestinian human rights activist and Director of the Palestinian NGO, Ittijah: Union of Arab Community-Based Associations, was arrested at his home on 6 May 2010 and later charged with “assistance to the enemy in a time of war,” “aggravated espionage” and “contact with a foreign agent.
Pepe Julian Onziemam, Programme Coordinator for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) human rights organisations in Uganda, speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges of working in a hostile environment.
This 40-page report is a compilation of personal narratives and analysis presented as a briefing to United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights.
In this report, CIVICUS reviews the status of women in civil society in Africa.
Background
For donors, civil society is a crucial partner and resource in progressing development goals.
Background
Budgeting is the key to financial management of non profit organisation.
Background
A successful application depends on the design of a sound project, which addresses social, political, and economic issues of a community.
Background
Many people in leadership positions in civil society organisations and projects find themselves dealing with large sums of money when they have little or no knowledge or experience about how to manage money.
Background
This toolkit is aimed specifically at people who have not thought through a financial strategy before.
Background
The aim of the toolkit is to help organisations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness through the creation of internal communication processes that create a cohesive organisational culture.
Background
Civil society organisations get set up by people who feel concerned enough about an issue to want to do something about it.
Background
Many organisations and different civil society groupings are asked to respond to requests for interviews, need to send out press statements or have to handle some type of crisis the media picks upon.
Background
Media is a powerful tool we can use to communicate our messages and advance our work as civil society organisations.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Accountability Project surveys in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe were carried out by three researchers from each country.
This report serves as a summary of the main discussions and outcomes of the Strategies for Promoting Participatory Governance: A Multi-Stakeholder Brainstorming Workshop, which took place in Glasgow, Scotland from 22-23 June 2007.
CIVICUS commissioned an end of funding phase evaluation for its Participatory Governance (PG) Programme which took place from November 2009 through January 2010.
CIVICUS has developed several initiatives to equip CSOs to move from legitimacy, accountability and transparency (LTA) principles to practices in their organisations and networks.
The compendium is an important reference document for advocacy groups while framing their demands for the protection and expansion of civil society space.
This paper is based on a presentation by CIVICUS CSI staff member, Mahi Khallaf, at the International Symposium in Cyprus, 25-26 February 2005.
This report reviews the methodology for the Civil Society Diamond.
A paper presented at the 8th conference of the International Society for Third Sector Research, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain, 9-12 July 2008.
This document presents a brief summary of the main features of the CSI's conceptual framework and methodological approach.
This is a post-workshop paper, based on the discussions that took place at the CIVICUS Civil Society Index Regional Workshop in the Czech Republic from 5-7 April 2006.
A briefing paper on the contribution of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index to civil society strengthening programmes worldwide.
Una descripción del Índice de la Sociedad Civil (ISC) CIVICUS en el contexto de América Latina.
This working paper, a collaboration between CIVICUS and ODI, presents an analysis of the policy-relevant findings of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index in a group of countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Ukraine.
This is a handbook on how to use the Index as a self-assessment tool for civil society practitioners.
A reflection and position paper on the CSI Pilot Phase by Volkhart Finn Heinrich and Kumi Naidoo.
External Impact Assessment of the CSI Programme (Phase 2003 – 2006) carried out by Skat, a consulting firm from Switzerland, from October to December 2009 (January, 2010).
Read the executive summary of the independent CSI evaluation report by the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organisations, Harvard University.
This book provides a comprehensive and flexible framework for the definition, measurement, analysis and interpretation of civil society based on the innovative 'Civil Society Diamond'.
The CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) Project held the International CSI Workshop from 19 to 21 June 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland.
This report provides a detailed account of the project approach, conceptual and analytical framework and research methodology of the innovative CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) Project.
This article appeared in CIVICUS World, the January-February 2001 Edition.
This report was presented at the International Symposium in Cyprus, 25-26 February 2005.
The report provides the full programme description, implementation process and analytical framework of the Civil Society Index of Phase 2 (2008-2010).
This report reviews CSI country data from 2003-2007 to analyse threats to civil society around the world.
The last decade, and especially 2009 and 2010, have been particularly hard for civil society and human rights defenders.
Written by: Kumi Naidoo
Published by: Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation (as part of the Development Dialogue Series)
About the Book
This volume offers the insights and reflections - both critical and self-critical - of a prominent civil society activist who has been engaged in local and global struggles for emancipation for over 30 years.
Background
Writing is one of the most powerful tools your organisation counts with in its day to day work.
Background
This toolkit provides many useful tips and tools to use in your writing.
Background
Strategic planning is the core of the work of an organisation.
Background
Although there is a tendency in civil society organisations to see an evaluation as something that happens when a donor insists on it, in fact, monitoring and evaluation are invaluable internal management tools.
Background
Action planning is the planning that guides your day-to-day work.
Background
Planning is a complex process that can take many forms.
Background
This resource guide was prepared by the Civicus Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) in response to member’s requests to support efforts towards setting up and running networks/alliance/national associations of CSOs.
Edited by Carmen Malena
Published November 2009, 336 pages /6"x9", Paperback, US$29.
Amy Bartlett, the Global Coordinator of the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness, a unique global initiative working to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of civil society in development initiatives, speaks to CIVICUS about her work.
CIVICUS has had the opportunity to study the draft sustainability framework and in particular the draft Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability put together by the IFC.
CIVICUS condemns the arrest and detainment of Andrey Yurov, Head of the International Observation Mission of the Committee on International Control over the Human Rights Situation in Belarus.
A CIVICUS inventor passes away – remembering a great civil society leader - Ingrid Srinath
Defrosting the Chilling Effect - Adele Poskit, Policy officer, CIVICUS
NANGO Calls for end to Harassment of Civil Society Activists by Zimbabwe Republic Police
Internal displacement on the rise in Libya
Changing political spaces of Civil Society Organisations: Report
New Zealand Aid Development Scholarships
Jobs and internships and;
Loads of civil society related news
Read this issue online or subscribe now and get all future issues in your inbox!
The Compendium of International Legal Instruments and Other Intergovernmental Commitments Concerning Core Civil Society Rights
The compendium is an important reference document for advocacy groups while framing their demands for the protection and expansion of civil society space.
April 6, 2011
To: All Member States of the UN Human Rights Council
Call for United Nations Human Rights Council Special Session on the Human Rights Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic
Excellency,As Human Rights non‐governmental organizations from all regions of the world, we express our serious concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria since the country’s security forces started using live ammunition against protesters on 18 March 2011.
CSI Methodology
The CSI is an action-research project that aims to assess the state of civil society in countries around the world.
In implementing the CSI, national civil society organisations and stakeholders make use of qualitative and quantitative research methods to create an assessment of the state of civil society in their country.
CSI Reports Phase 2: 2008 - 2010
Interim Phase (2008)
After the first phase was completed, an interim phase using the same version of the methodology was implemented in early 2008 and sponsored by UNDP to focus on the state of civil society in six African countries.
CSI Reports Phase 1: 2003 - 2006
Revision of the CSI project framework – 2002
To gain a thorough understanding of the pilot phase’s achievements and challenges, an independent consultative evaluation study was conducted by Srilatha Batliwala Research Fellow with the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University, involving the country partners, CIVICUS staff and board members and external experts.
CSI Reports Pilot Phase: 2000 - 2002
In March 2000, CIVICUS issued a request for statements of interest to organisations interested in participating as CSI country partner-organisations in the CSI’s pilot phase.
CSI History & Origins
From its inception in 1993, CIVICUS strove to make a significant contribution to recording the rise of civil society around the world, and to build a knowledge base of civil society-related issues.
The extent to which civil society is able to impact on the social and policy arena, according to internal and external perceptions.
The degree of institutionalisation that characterises civil society (measured through an analysis of civil society organisations)Armenia Case Study: Financial Sustainability
While implementing the CSI in Armenia in 2008-2010, Counterpart International found controversial findings concerning CSO’s financial sustainability.
The extent to which individuals engage in social and policy-related initiativesPalestine: Engaging with Local Communities and Better Meeting their Needs
In Palestine, implementing the CSI has led to a better consideration of local community needs and marginalised people.
Rowena McNaughton interviews human rights activist and director of Arab NGO Network for Development, Ziad Abdel Samad.
Johannesburg 23 February 2011.
Civil society is playing an increasingly important role in governance and development around the world.
Dear CIVICUS friend,
The UN Security Council (UNSC) is holding a closed-door meeting today (22 Feb) to discuss the crisis in Libya and there is something you can do about it!
The situation in Libya is escalating with mass killings of protestors, resulting in the commission of crimes against humanity.
Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability
The Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability (LTA) project started at CIVICUS in response to key findings of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index, which highlighted issues of transparency and accountability as among the main concerns of civil society organisations (CSOs) around the world.
*URGENT Update from CIVICUS partner in Egypt*
Johannesburg.
Olga Zakharova, Eurasia Idea Network Correspondent
Civil Society representatives from 27 OSCE member countries sent an appeal for urgent action in response to the human rights crisis in Belarus to the embassies of OSCE member countries.
Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General, CIVICUS Speaking during the session 'Insights on India' Ingrid shared her concerns about the government's inability to keep its promises.
Presidente de la República
S.
World Leaders must act decisively before it's too late
Johannesburg.
Click here to download copy of letter.
8 September 2010
To
H.
Letter of appeal for the release of Ameer Makhoul - Click here to download
13 July, 2010-- Johannesburg ---CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is concerned by recent reports that Uzbek officials are intensifying pressure against human rights defenders in response to the political upheaval and violence in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.
Click here to download
Click here to download
Item 3
Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights
ID on the Reports of the Special Rapporteurs on Violence against Women, Extreme Poverty and the Right to Health
7 June 2010
Mr.
19 April 2010, Johannesburg.
By Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General, CIVICUS
A few weeks ago I wrote of the semi-annual CIVICUS Board meeting and the key issues the Board would be deliberating.
08 October 2009, Johannesburg, South Africa
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation expresses deepest condemnation at the killing of at least 157 protestors and the wounding of over a thousand people during a military crackdown upon a large scale public protest in Guinea on 28 September.
13 May 2009 – CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation has expressed concern over the detention of well-known civil society activists in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for commemorating the anniversary of the 2005 “Andijan Massacre”.
28 January 2009- Despite severe criticism from donors, civil society and foreign governments, on 6 January 2009, the Ethiopian Parliament passed a controversial law restricting the activities and funding for civil society organisations (CSOs).
