News

Joint Civil Society Letter to Commonwealth Heads of Government

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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.

Uganda Side Event Report

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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.

CIVICUS Secretary General at Commonwealth People’s Forum

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CIVICUS Secretary General Ingrid Srinath is travelling to Perth, Australia, from 25-28 October 2011, to take civil society messages to Commonwealth decision-makers.

Southern Africa Conference on Volunteer Action for Development

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The Conference on Volunteer Action for Development will be taking place from the 17 – 19 of October at the FNB Learning Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg.

CIVICUS-ODI Workshop on Democratising Governance through Citizen Participation

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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.

In this weeks issue of the e-CIVICUS

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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.

Comments and proposals on the second draft of the Busan draft outcome document

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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.

In e-CIVICUS this week

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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 Read this issue online or subscribe to receive future issues in your inbox

Wangari Maathai - in memoriam: A tribute from Cyril Ritchie, after 36 years of friendship with Maathai

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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.

IMF-World Bank civil society town hall meeting.

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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.

This week in e-CIVICUS

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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! Read this issue online or subscribe to receive future issues in your inbox.

‘Less bang for their buck’

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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.

Call for Papers: 10th International Society for Third Sector Research conference, Siena, Italy

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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.

e-CIVICUS, World Assembly Special Issue

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The special issue of the e-CIVICUS, highlighting happenings, news and opinions from the just concluded CIVICUS World Assembly in Montreal.

CIVICUS Civil Society Index: Key findings from 2008-2011

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Civil society is undergoing its most significant crisis and change for a generation.

Join the conversation from the largest global gathering of civil society: the CIVICUS World Assembly

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The dialogue stretches beyond Montreal! The spirit of the CIVICUS World Assembly is reaching far beyond the Palais Des Congres in Montreal.

Government accountability and citizen agency in South Africa’s run-up to COP17

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This is the final instalment of our conversation with Ms.

LAUNCHING 2 SEPTEMBER: New report on health of civil society from around the world

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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.

Call for expressions of interest to host the 2013 CIVICUS World Assembly

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Français From 2010 to 2012, the CIVICUS World Assembly is being co-hosted by the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM) in Montreal, Canada.

Civil society and the need to communicate with impact

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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.

One arrest signals a dark time for Belarusian civil society

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Ales Bialiatski, a prominent civil society activist in Belarus, was arrested on 4 August 2011.

Climate change in South Africa: What it means, and who cares?

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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.

Joint letter on human rights situation in Angola

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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.

COP17: The Mechanisms, the context, the possibilities

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Melita Steele has been with Greenpeace Africa as a climate and energy campaigner for a year and a half.

Building bridges: the future of sustainable cooperation between informal online activists and civil society organisations

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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.

Strengthening citizen action and civil society in the Caribbean

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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.

This week in e-CIVICUS

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Analysis Faith-based economics.

Greenpeace: The relentless fight to save the globe

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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.

This week in e-CIVICUS

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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'

Time for democratic dialogue in Malawi - Not death threats and unfounded treason charges

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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.

¡Participa a las discusiones en línea de la Asamblea Mundial 2011 de CIVICUS!

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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.

In e-CIVICUS this week

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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

Voices on the Road to COP 17: Food insecurity and the future

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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.

South Africa can move beyond the 'Two Economies' to deliver one inclusive food system, says UN Food Expert

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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*.

Webinar - Building bridges: the future of sustainable cooperation between informal online activists and civil society organisations

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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.

Speech by CIVICUS Research and Policy Director, Netsanet Belay at the launch of the Embattled NGO Assistance Fund

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Ladies and Gentlemen, Excellencies and colleagues; I thank you for this opportunity you gave me to address you on this distinct and historical occasion.

This week in e-CIVICUS

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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

Voices on the road to COP 17: Who should lead the fight on climate change? You should

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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.

Call for Proposals: Implementing Microsoft SharePoint

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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

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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.

Can We Balance our Books on the Backs of the Poorest*

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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.

Masterclass on Leadership organised by DTALK- 7th June 2011

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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.

Latin American and Caribbean-How healthy is your civil society?

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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.

NEW BLOG POST: With a grave human rights situation in Belarus at stake, civil society activists make their plea to OSCE

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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.

Statement delivered by Secretary-general Ban Ki Moon to ECOSOC to launch the 2011 Millenium Development Goals

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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.

Questions asked by members of the public re: CIVICUS’ RFP for implementing CiviCRM

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 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.

Statement to ECOSOC 2011 High-Level Segment

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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.

In e-CIVICUS this week

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Analysis Unexpected Revolutions? - Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), Beirut.

Global Civil Society Adopt International Framework to Protect Civil Society

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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.

Embattled NGO Assistance Fund: Global support for Human Rights

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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.

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