Interviews

CIVICUS interview with Mark Heywood, Executive Director of SECTION27

Interviews 08 August 2014

Mark Heywood is the Executive Director of SECTION27 and a national executive member of the Treatment Action Campaign, an activist movement formed in 1998 that fights for the rights of people living with HIV (PWAs).

An interview with Laurent Munyandilikirwa on the state of civil society in Rwanda

Interviews 14 July 2014

Laurent Munyandilikirwa, former president of Rwandan CSO, LIPRODHOR, speaks to CIVICUS about the state of civil society in Rwanda and the government’s continued targeted harassment of LIPRODHOR.

CIVICUS interview with Amal Elmohandes, Director of the Women Human Rights Defenders Program at Nasra for Feminist Studies

Interviews 18 June 2014

In light of the ongoing threats faced by civil society activists, journalists and ordinary citizens in Egypt from state and non-state actors, CIVICUS interviews Amal Elmohandes, Director of the Women Human Rights Defenders Program at Nasra for Feminist Studies, to get a better understanding on the current situation.

"Speak up for the Venezuelan people" - An interview with Feliciano Reyna

Interviews 06 March 2014

4 March, 2014 Feliciano Reyna is a human rights advocate working on HIV and AIDS related issues in Venezuela since 1995.

CIVICUS interviews Andrew Khoo, Co-Chairperson of the Malaysian Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee

Interviews 08 November 2013

Andrew Khoo, the Co-Chairperson of Malaysian Bar Council's Human Rights Committee (BCHRC), speaks to CIVICUS about the growing restrictions on civil society and obstacles to realizing UPR recommendations in Malaysia.

"Open spaces for dialogue with citizens and civil society" - A CIVICUS interview with Brazilian lawyer and activist Natasha Zadorosny

Interviews 29 October 2013

In June 2013, protesters took to the streets in Brazil to protest against increases in the prices of bus tickets in the major cities.

Interview with Nassima AlSadah, Adala Centre for Human Rights

Interviews 02 October 2013

CIVICUS interview with Saira Rahman

Interviews 15 August 2013

Saira Rahman, wife of detained activist Adilur Rahman Khan speaks to CIVICUS about the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention and the on-going persecution of his Bangladesh-based organisation, Odhikar.

"Protestors want the change that the revolution did not yet achieve"- An interview with an Egyptian activist

Interviews 28 June 2013

Ahead of the mass protests expected in Egypt on Sunday, CIVICUS spoke with Hicham Ezzat, an activist for Egypt’s pro-revolution movement.

"Spread the news about Turkey" | A CIVICUS interview with Turkish civil society activists

Interviews 20 June 2013

Aysegul Ekmekci and Semanur Karaman from Third Sector Foundation of Turkey (TUSEV) speak to CIVICUS about the on-going protests in the country and what they mean for the youth, politics and civil society in Turkey.

Youth unemployment in SubSaharan Africa is cancerous | A CIVICUS member interview with Awa Ndah of Impact Creators

Interviews 12 June 2013

Awa Ndah is the Founder and Executive Director of Impact Creators, a youth educational and professional development organisation based in Cameroon.

Young people need to get informed | A CIVICUS member interview with Esther Agbarakwe of NYCC

Interviews 27 May 2013

Esther Agbarakwe is a co-founder of the Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition, the biggest youth climate movement in Nigeria.

Independent dissent being silenced in South Sudan | An interview with Victor Lowilla of SSLS

Interviews 21 May 2013

Victor Lowilla, senior legal aid attorney at the South Sudan Law Society (SSLS), speaks to CIVICUS about the trajectory of civil society in South Sudan since independence and the growing restrictions on independent media and journalists in the country.

Post-2015 Agenda needs to address the 1 billion people with disabilities

Interviews 09 May 2013

Dagnachew B.

Children and Youth Concerns are about Sustainability: An interview with Kiara Worth

Interviews 09 May 2013

Kiara Worth is one of the Organising Partners for the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY).

On Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: An Interview with Un Women’s Lakshmi Puri

Interviews 08 May 2013

United Nations officials, civil society groups and worldwide media coverage hailed last month's Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for taking a significant step forward in the campaign to end gender-based violence.

Interview: Global conversation conducive to shaping post- 2015 agenda

Interviews 22 April 2013

The World We Want 2015 initiative aims to create a collective vision of the most important priorities of people in every part of the world, including indigenous populations, women and youths, to ultimately inform what the development agenda should include when the current MDGs expire in 2015.

Decent work and social protection should be included in the Post-2015 Agenda | An interview with Matt Simmonds

Interviews 08 April 2013

Matt Simmonds is the liaison officer for the platform of civil society organisations that sits in the OECD Working Party on Aid Effectiveness (WP- Eff), BetterAid in Paris.

Animal welfare and the Post-2015 Agenda: A CIVICUS interview with Arjan Van Houwelingen of the WSPA

Interviews 28 March 2013

Arjan Van Houwelingen of the World Society for the Protection of Animals Netherlands shares why the Post-2015 Agenda needs to include animal welfare and detailed targets for international cooperation towards sustainable development.

Leo Williams shares his thoughts on CSOs and a post-2015 framework

Interviews 20 March 2013

Leo Williams in the International Coordinator of the Beyond 2015 campaign, which brings together over 260 civil society organisations from more than 60 countries that work together to influence the creation of the Post- 2015 Development Framework.

Stop the ORMAS Bill! - An interview with Longgena Ginting

Interviews 20 March 2013

"Indonesia is home to massive environmental and cultural resources.

Language, Culture and Millennium Development Goals- An Interview

Interviews 13 March 2013

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Dave Pearson, who is a long-time staff member at SIL International, a large nongovernmental organization which has pioneered advocacy for minority language rights and resources around the world.

Ivana Savić shares her thoughts on Youth participation in the Post-2015 Agenda

Interviews 07 March 2013

Ivana Savic is a Policy Officer at Change Mob and Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Development Studies.

Uchita de Zoysa of Global Sustainability Solutions shares his thoughts on the MDGs and Corporate Sustainability

Interviews 26 February 2013

Uchita de Zoysa is the Chairman of Global Sustainability Solutions (GLOSS), the Executive Director of the Centre for Environment and Development, and Initiator of the People's Sustainability Treaties.

Richard Morgan of UNICEF shares his thoughts on the Post-2015 Agenda, Women and Children

Interviews 22 February 2013

Richard Morgan is the Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on the Post- 2015 Agenda.

CIVICUS interviews Dr. Changyong Rhee about the Post-2015 agenda

Interviews 15 February 2013

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Civil society has the potential of finding new solutions to global challenges which are based on the principles of equity, participation and sustainability: An Interview with CIVICUS Secretary General, Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah

Interviews 11 February 2013

New CIVICUS Secretary General Dhananjayan (Danny) Sriskandarajah who officially began his mandate as head of the global alliance this week speaks to the CIVICUS Policy Unit about the role of civil society in redressing the challenges affecting citizens around the world.

CIVICUS Interviews Felix Dodds about the MDGs, Post-2015 and Sustainable Development

Interviews 05 February 2013

Felix Dodds is an independent consultant focusing on stakeholder engagement in the sustainable development process.

Distinguishing between civil society groups is divisive and will weaken cohesion among different sectors: An interview with Lewis Mwape of the Zambia Council for Social Development

Interviews 20 December 2012

Lewis Mwape of the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD), speaks to CIVICUS about the status of the 2009 Zambian NGO Act and the campaign to amend the law.

Interviews with youth delegates at the ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum (2)

Interviews 07 December 2012

Natalie Akstein, CIVICUS Junior Convening Officer and youth focal point, interviews youth delegates at the Global Youth Forum in Bali, Indonesia.

Interviews with youth delegates at the ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum (1)

Interviews 06 December 2012

Natalie Akstein, CIVICUS Junior Convening Officer and youth focal point, interviews youth delegates at the Global Youth Forum currently taking place in Bali, Indonesia.

Human rights defenders in Bangladesh are at constant risk: An interview with Adilur Rahman Khan on Bangladeshi CSO Odhikar

Interviews 08 November 2012

Can you tell us a little bit about the mission and work of Odhikar?Odhikar was formed by a group of human rights activists who fought against Bangladesh’s autocratic regime and struggled to restore democracy.

Change begins with the individual: An interview with Suzanne Salz, ICLEI

Interviews 23 October 2012

How would you evaluate the Future We Want outcome document in two sentences? The Future We Want outcome document is far from certain to actually lead us to the Future We Want due to its lack of ambition and commitment by the national government leaders of the world.

It is too simplistic to declare Rio+20 an utter failure or a roaring success: An interview with Farooq Ullah, Stakeholder Forum

Interviews 10 October 2012

Farooq Ullah is Editorial Advisor at the Stakeholder Forum.

Russia's NGO Law will inevitably result in a contraction of space and opportunity for NGOs: An interview with Boris Pustyntsev, Director of the Russia-based Citizens' Watch

Interviews 09 October 2012

Boris Pustyntsev, Director of the Russia-based Citizens' Watch, speaks to CIVICUS about the impact of the new 'NGO Law' and recent restrictions on civil society activism in Russia.

Harassment and detentions increase in Sudan: interview with Hassen Abdel Ati, National Civic Forum

Interviews 30 August 2012

Dr Hassan Abdel Ati, Secretary General of Sudan’s National Civic Forum, speaks to CIVICUS about the crackdown on civil society activism and independent journalists since student-led protests began in March 2011.

‘The influence and participation of civil society in governance structures is a critical aspect of sustainable development’: Rio+20 interview with Catherine Pearce, Campaign Manager, Future Justice for the World Future Council

Interviews 15 August 2012

Catherine Pearce is the Campaign Manager for Future Justice [www.

Interview with Natia Kapanadze, Director, Legal Defense Center, Georgian Young Lawyer's Association

Interviews 10 August 2012

Natia Kapanadze, Director of the Media Legal Defense Center at the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), based in Tbilsi, Georgia, speaks to CIVICUS about recent attacks on independent journalists and civil society’s response.

‘What will you do differently now?’: Rio+20 interview with Susanne Salz, Former Head of the Secretary General’s Office at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

Interviews 07 August 2012

Susanne Salz is the former Executive and Policy Assistant to the Secretary General of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.

The success and failures of Rio+20: interview with Henri Valot, CIVICUS Outreach Director

Interviews 02 August 2012

How would you evaluate the successes and failures of Rio + 20? I have sincerely mixed feelings about Rio+20.

LGBT activism in Lithuania: interview with Vladimir Simonko

Interviews 27 July 2012

Vladimir Simonko, co-founder and chair of the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges the LGBT community faces in one of the most homophobic countries in Europe.

“For vulnerable communities, civil society groups are a ray of hope” – interview with Qamar Naseem, Blue Veins, Pakistan

Interviews 13 July 2012

Qamar Naseem, programme coordinator with women’s organisation Blue Veins, based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, speaks to CIVICUS about the main challenges civil society groups and women face from religious right politicians in Pakistan.

‘The main issue is equality of opportunities’: Rio+20 interview with Sabina Anokye-Mensah, Voice of African Mothers

Interviews 14 June 2012

CIVICUS speaks to Dr Sabina Anokye-Mensah from Voice of African Mothers (VAM) on her expectations for Rio+20.

CIVICUS Interviews Nikhil Seth, Head of the Rio+20 Secretariat

Interviews 24 May 2012

CIVICUS Director of Outreach, Henri Valot, interviews Nikhil Seth, Director, UN Division of Sustainable Development and Head of the Rio+20 Secretariat* Listen to the interview HENRI: What are your hopes and aspirations for Rio+20? NIKHIL: My hopes and aspirations for Rio+20 are very high.

‘Fewer and fewer committed, independent civil society activists are remaining’ - interview with Sukhrobjon Ismailov, civil society activist, Uzbekistan

Interviews 23 May 2012

Sukhrobjon Ismailov, founder and director of the Expert Working Group, Uzbekistan, speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges of being a human rights defender in his country.

‘Address the voice of the 99%’: Rio+20 interview with Jaehyun Jang, Programme Specialist, Reshaping Development Institute, Republic of Korea

Interviews 17 May 2012

Jaehyun Jang is a Programme Specialist and Researcher at the Reshaping Development Institute (ReDI) in the Republic of Korea.

‘What is needed is a monitoring and accountability system for governments North and South’ – Rio+20 interview with Roberto Bissio, Coordinator, Social Watch

Interviews 19 April 2012

Roberto Bissio is Coordinator of Social Watch network and Executive Director of the Third World Institute.

‘International civil society should spread awareness of the devastating effects of Ethiopian law’: interview with Endalkachew Molla, Director, Human Rights Council, Ethiopia

Interviews 17 April 2012

Endalkachew Molla Demilew is the Director of Ethiopia’s Human Rights Council (HRCO), responsible for coordinating the operations of the head and branch offices, establishing links and partnerships with governmental and non-governmental institutions, human rights activists, aid organisations, CSOs and the media, and overseeing HRCO’s human rights reporting and monitoring procedures.

CIVICUS interview with Jose Mavungo

Interviews 11 April 2012

Jose Mavungo is a human rights activist from the Cabinda region.

‘Young women are a vital part of shaping the future’ – Rio+20 interview

Interviews 03 April 2012

A Rio+20 interview with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda is the General Secretary of the World YWCA, a global federation in 125 countries, and a human rights lawyer with extensive experience in CSO governance and transition management.