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. We called on the Government of Angola to ensure the full implementation of thehuman rights principles in respect of which the commitment of the Government was confirmed at the 16th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Read the letter.

Melita Steele has been with Greenpeace Africa as a climate and energy campaigner for a year and a half. Ms. Steele holds a Masters degree in Environmental Science and worked as an environmental consultant before coming to Greenpeace. This is the second instalment of her conversation with CIVICUS (you can read the first here).  She speaks to CIVICUS about the coalition of civil society organisations working together towards COP17 (C17), how advocacy actually happens at the Conference of the Parties, and what the day after COP17 looks like for South Africa.

This is sequel to a discussion note produced by CIVICUS intended to spur debate on the role of information communication technology as (a) a tool for mass mobilisation for offline activism (b) a vehicle for new forms of online activism (c) the creator and driver of online civic space (d) a platform for knowledge-sharing and collective learning and (e) a source of new models of governance.

The webinar session was moderated by CIVICUS Secretary General Ingrid Srinath, and presentations focused on a diverse range of topical issues including:

'A radical exercise in democracy: Lessons from Iceland's crowd-sourced constitution and its implication for better governance' - Representative Icelandic Constitutional Council

'The shifting technological parameters of journalism and its role in revolution in the Middle East' Mohammed Ziyaad Hassen, Senior Planner Social Media, Al Jazeera, Qatar

'Towards sustainable change: Moving from online activism to offline action' Amanda Atwood, Information and Communication Officer, Kubatana, Zimbabwe

We hope you enjoy it.

Listen on/download from iTunes  or View on YouTube

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. The consultation comes as part of the CIVICUS alliance’s outreach in the region, and the expectation is that the findings should help inform CIVICUS’ policy positions in global forums later in 2011, including the UN, the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea, and the 17th Conference of Parties on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban, South Africa.

Analysis

• Faith-based economics. Faith-based politics - Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General, CIVICUS
• Emerging economies and the development aid discourse - Mandeep Tiwana, Policy manager, CIVICUS
• CIVICUS World Assembly Workshop: Do NGO self-regulation mechanisms work? - Adele Poskit, Policy Officer, CIVICUS
  

Members' Corner

• Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition

Melita Steele has been with Greenpeace Africa as a climate and energy campaigner for a year and a half. She holds a Masters degree in Environmental Science and worked as an environmental consultant before coming to Greenpeace. She spoke to CIVICUS about the South African government's stance on climate change and the realities of energy and possibility in South Africa.

Could you give us a little bit of background on Greenpeace Africa?

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. Any intention of charging the organisers of the protests – who were merely exercising their constitutional rights – with treason should also be abandoned since the allegations are clearly unfounded and absurd.

Many of the coordinators of the ‘For a better Malawi’ demonstrations and their families have received death threats and some of them are now in hiding – genuinely fearing for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Those in hiding include Undule Mwakasungula, Gift Trapence, Rafiq Hajat and Luther Mambala. These threats can be linked to the President’s public remarks about dealing with leaders of the demonstration – that he would ‘smoke them out’ and charge them with treason for trying to overthrow his government.

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.

Bajo el lema general de “Actuar Juntos por un Mundo Justo”, el tema de la Asamblea Mundial de 2011 es: “Sociedad Civil y Decisiones Globales: Influyendo Más y Mejor”.

Hazte leer por el mundo entero!

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. She is also the Economic Justice Manager for Oxfam Australia. Ms. Dent has been part of Oxfam International’s global policy team for the past three years, and is now using her expertise on food crises and climate justice to represent Oxfam’s mission during the planning for COP17. Ms. Dent’s current focus is to integrate Oxfam’s global efforts with South African efforts, particularly focusing on policy, lobbying, media, and building alliances that bring together a diverse range of players from both the global north and global south, to lead the call for climate justice at COP17. CIVICUS had the pleasure of speaking with her about the connection between Oxfam’s work and food security as it relates to poverty, and how all of these issues are intrinsically related to climate change and the urgent need for action.

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*.

“South Africa became a model by integrating the right to food in its Constitution and by establishing the South African Human Rights Commission. Its Constitutional Court developed a uniquely progressive jurisprudence in the area of economic social and cultural rights. But it is now time to build a food economy that benefits the majority of the population.”

A virtual consultation hosted by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Wednesday 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. My name is Netsanet Belay and I represent one of the oldest global alliances of civil society organisations based in the South: CIVICUS, World Alliance for Citizens participation.

We are gathered here today to welcome and launch yet another initiative to rescue, protect and support civil society groups under attack. The global picture and the rationale behind this initiative are very clear. In as much as the launch of this fund represents a unique occasion that sparks hopes to millions of activists around the world, we need to remind ourselves that this is far from a joyful event.

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. This is the first in a series of conversations CIVICUS will host in the lead-up to the 17th Conference of the Parties on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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.

Download the full request for proposal here

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.

Background:

After a March 2011 study conducted by CIVICUS on the challenges that women human rights defenders face in Africa, there was a clear need for follow-up advocacy efforts to address these challenges, with particular reference to “domesticating” international law to work on the ground in African nations, and strengthening the role of women in their communities, in organizations, and in civil society.

The event:

The webinar included presentations from Mozn Hassan, Founder and Executive Director of Nazra for Feminist Studies, and Tabitha Netuwa, Legal/Protection Officer, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project. Unfortunately, a planned presentation with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary, World YWCA could not take place due to technical difficulties. 

In addition to these speakers, Elizabeth Hira, Policy Intern at CIVICUS, gave an overview presentation of the CIVICUS Report, 'Challenges for women human rights defenders in Africa'. The presentation is available here.

About the presenters:

Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda

General Secretary, World YWCA

Ms. Gumbonzvanda is a human rights lawyer with over twenty years experience in women and children's human rights, with a special focus on crisis countries. At the World YWCA, Ms. Gumbonzvanda has focused on championing young women’s leadership, advancing peace with justice and addressing violence against women by making the YWCA a leader in community response to crises and conflict, and supporting the YWCA in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Ms. Gumbonzvanda’s many achievements include work on the integration of gender equality in the peace processes for the Sudan, Somalia and Northern Uganda, and taking a lead role in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region that resulted in the adoption of the Protocol on Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Ms. Gumbonzvanda was also involved in the development of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. Ms. Gumbonzvanda has a Master’s degree in Private Law with specialisation in Constitutional Property Law from the University of South Africa and she completed post-graduate work on conflict resolution at Uppsala University, Sweden.

Ms. Tabitha Netuwa

Legal/Protection Officer, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project

At EHAHRDP, Ms. Netuwa is the focal person for  human rights defenders who require support and protection. Among her many duties, Ms. Netuwa is responsible for the assessment of emergency cases of human rights defenders at risk, resource allocation for their assistance, and providing administrative and legal support to human rights defenders under the protection programme. Beyond her direct service work, Ms. Netuwa also monitors and provides analysis of legal and political developments, human rights and rule of law situations in the countries of the sub-region, and prepares reports on protection issues in the sub-region with proposals for intervention.

Ms. Netuwa holds a Law degree from Makerere University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal studies. She previously worked with the Refugee Law Project at Makerere University, where she was closely involved with refugees and internally displaced persons.

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.

RTE’s Frontline on May 30th pitted overseas development aid against the plight of carers and families facing the devastating consequences of healthcare cutbacks. The vulnerable versus more vulnerable spectacle was the continuation of a debate initiated earlier that day on Today with Pat Kenny when Friends’ First’s Jim Power made the case that Ireland can no longer afford its overseas development commitments. Frontline brought on another “expert” in foreign affairs arguing that at least some of the €675 million spent on overseas development in 2010 – down from €722 million the previous year - would be better spent on “special needs teachers or citizens.” Afterall, as the programme continuously repeated, charity begins at home, particularly in a recession.

If We Were Brave…

Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General - CIVICUS

NGO leaders in 2010 faced a particularly challenging year with an extreme pushback against  civil  society  almost  everywhere  in  the  world. The World  Economic  Forum (Davos) earlier in 2011 concluded that the world was in no shape to face further major risks. 

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.

Founded in 1992, the International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR) is a major international association promoting research and education in the fields of civil society, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. This regional event has been organised by two CIVICUS members; the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) and the Communication and Development Institute (ICD) from Uruguay.

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. Read the post on the CIVICUS Blog.

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. I am deeply honoured and privileged to serve this great organization as Secretary-General and I will be more motivated and more engaged with Member States and you can count on me. Again thank you very much for you strong support.

I am pleased to be here for the launch of the 2011 Millennium Development Goals Report. I thank all those who have worked long and hard on this excellent study.

The report paints a mixed picture. On the one hand, it is clear that the MDGs have made a tremendous difference; they have raised awareness and they have shaped the broad vision that remains the overarching framework for development work across the world, and they have fuelled action and meaningful progress in people’s lives. Hundreds of millions have been lifted from poverty, more people have access to education, better health care and improved access to clean drinking water.

 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.

Whilst we have cleaned up the questions to save space, we retained the answers as was sent the individual enquirers.

Q: Will being in a different timezone from Johannesburg, South Africa be an issue in your selection?
A: Whilst we are more interested in the capacity of the supplier to meet our needs and support the solution afterwards, the ability of the supplier to respond to mission critical requests during the implementation and support phases within normal South African work hour will be a plus

Q: Constituents relations tracking and reporting: Does it mean CTI (ie calls are automatically logged in the CRM
A: We will gladly explore the option of automatically logging calls, but at this time we are interested in a solution that allows staff log manually all calls made with details of the discussion and the possibility of creating a work flow to follow up the outcome of such telephone calls e.g. request manager to communicate with constituent etc.

Q: Training: where would it be expected? on site or remote?
A: If cost wont be an issue, we prefer training to be onsite, otherwise remote training may be an option

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. Moreover, civil society can play a strategic role in shaping development policies and in ensuring their proper implementation." 

Analysis

• Unexpected Revolutions? - Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), Beirut.
• Ongoing threats to human rights defenders in Venezuela
• CIVICUS Civil Society Index for Macedonia: Civic engagement - long road to go (Policy action brief)

News

• Kazakhstan: Workers fight massive crackdown
• Turkey: LGBT rights movement gaining strength
• Native community defends land against loggers and organised crime

   

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. So when we defend these great people, we are defending an idea that has been and will remain essential to the success of every democracy. So the stakes are high for us, not just them.

-- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speech in Krakow, July 3, 2010

Human rights activists remain under siege in every region of the world. Civil society actors are jailed, harassed, or targeted by local authorities with increasing frequency. According to Freedom House’s annual survey, Freedom in the World, the space for independent political activity, including peaceful protest, has been steadily curtailed in a coordinated effort by authoritarian regimes to stifle and silence advocates of reform.

CIVICUS is seeking proposals from consultants who have demonstrable capacities implementing constituent relationship management (CRM) solutions to implement CIVICUS' CRM strategy.

Following our wide consultations and subsequent decision to adopt the open source tool - CiviCRM (http://civicrm.org), it became necessary for us to commission a consultant to review our needs (stated in the formal request for proposal document) and propose an implementation plan, complete with timelines, activities and milestones list and detailed cost.

The formal request for proposal is available here.

For enquiries email Oluwakorede Asuni at: or call + 27 (11) 833 5959 (extension 125) on or before 5 July, 2011.

Deadline for submission of proposals is 12 July, 2011.

Dr. Humberto Prado Sifontes, human rights activist and Director of the Venezuelan Prisons Observatory has been falsely accused of instigating violence in prisons following the outbreak of revolts at a local prison. CIVICUS is deeply concerned that the human rights activist may face persecution following comments from the state minister and other media outlets in the country.   “Accusations levelled against Dr. Sifontes are ridiculous and places serious constraints on the lives and activities of human rights defenders in Venezuela,” said Feliciano Reyna, CIVICUS Board Member and head of Sinergia in Venezuela.

More to come.

CIVICUS is calling for individuals interested in lending their voluntary services for the translation of the new CIVICUS website and other promotional materials.

We are looking to have sections of the website translated into French and Spanish and also have translated versions of some of CIVICUS’ publications and promotional materials such as informational pamphlets, reports and publications.

There will be no remuneration offered for the translation services and work will be made available only as and when translation is needed.

If you are interested in volunteering your services, please send your CV to or , subject line : Volunteer Translators.

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. In one case, there was active lobbying and public debate on the candidates, the criteria and the principles and process for selection. Despite commitments to a merit based process that would open the role to non-European candidates, power equations and lack of Southern solidarity are making it more than likely that the role will be filled by yet another French national.

At the other institution, the incumbent received the unanimous endorsement of a fraction of the organisation’s membership and this was apparently sufficient to obtain the approval of the wider membership to guarantee him another term in office. Oddly it is the latter institution that makes much of its democratic values, often touting them as giving it superior legitimacy in world affairs.

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. Dubbed the ‘secrecy bill,’ this proposed piece of legislation is making journalists and civil society activists increasingly nervous that their professional quest for the truth will become a highly risky endeavour if the bill is passed into law.

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.

Confirmed attendance has exceeded all expectations. The final count is 245 participants from 79 countries worldwide – a number which reflects the 74 national consultations that Open Forum has facilitated in the past 2 years.

Their outcome as well as that of 9 regional workshops and 8 global thematic consultation processes will feed into the International Framework for CSO Development Effectiveness.

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. I am Ana Toni, Board Chair of Greenpeace International and my contacting you today on Kumi's behalf since he is currently unable to do so himself.

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.  Regrettably, once again the discussion on the appointment of this top UN job is marred by a lack of transparency and going ahead without formal debate and discussion amongst member states. His bid has already enjoyed the support of all the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States and, given the fact that he remains the only candidate for the job, his appointment already looks like a done deal!

As UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon is at the head of an organisation whose impact on global security and international development is essentially immeasurable. At a time when the world is witnessing a clear gap in strong, ethical and principled political leadership in global governance processes, civil society cannot afford to remain silent and continue without questioning the morality and impact of such political decisions.

Even though we may already be too late in influencing the appointment of the future UN Secretary General, we can indeed question the morality and legality of the process.  Further, CIVICUS strongly believes that this is also a unique opportunity for all of us, as global citizens and civil society, to articulate our expectations of the upcoming Secretary General, and our determination and resolve to hold these leaders accountable.

As a CIVICUS member and a member of civil society – we’d like to hear your views on this critical issue. Specifically, there are three questions we are hoping you can answer:

1. What is your view on Ban Ki-moon’s decision to run for a second term as the UN Secretary General?
2. What is your opinion on the process and his likely appointment?
3. What are your key expectations and demands of the upcoming UN Secretary General?

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.  The session brought together representatives from the academic world, business foundations, research institutes, civil society and development organisations.   It was not a gathering for civil society but was a forum which brought together development practitioners to review a select set of case studies which can be used studiously as examples showcasing synergies in an African-led development paradigm based on south-south cooperation.

Date: 23 June 2011 

In order to participate, please register/RSVP to to receive further information and log-in details. 

• 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. And click here to subscribe and get future issues via email.

Brussels, 9 June 2011. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from across the globe will consolidate outcomes of a comprehensive two-year consultation process to define principles, guidelines and external conditions for CSO development effectiveness at the second and final Global Assembly of the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness, 28-30 June in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in cooperation with Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC).

Download entire press release

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. Continuous review of these processes always links to the need for constituency building as a means of achieving gender equality. Constituency building should be viewed as a means of influencing public opinion and motivating people to take collective action to achieve a desired social or policy change, which in this case is gender equality. Constituency building is about building a support base for progress towards gender equality. It involves resourcing for social advocacy on gender equality and intensive efforts towards partnerships and alliance building.

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.

Caught in a tightening vice of public spending cuts and stalled economic recovery it will, I think, take more than a social call and pleasantries from Barack Obama or Queen Elizabeth II to lift Irish spirits right now.

• 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

By Ciana-Marie Pegus, Intern, CIVICUS Organisation Coordination Office

On Monday, there was much excitement at the Palais des Nations in Geneva as a plethora of diplomats, journalists and human rights campaigners gathered to hear and respond to the Final Report on the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights authored by UN Special Representative Professor John Ruggie. Developed as part of Ruggie's mandate to identify standards on corporate accountability for human rights abuses, it possesses an unduly heavy focus on and faith in states. The report is shockingly silent on the role of civil society in acting as a watchdog over the antics and activities of rogue corporations. Indeed, it ignores the fact that civil society has always been and will continue to serve as the principal social force advocating for global justice and accountability for transnational corporations. It is the trade unionists, non-profit organisations, charities, community foundations, academics, research institutes, religious bodies, internet activists and social movements that are the vanguard in challenging the established impunity of corporations and the passivity of states.

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. The commentary comes as Oxfam launched its global GROW campaign which I'd also suggest you look at: http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressrelease/2011-05-31/broken-food-system-environmental-crises-spell-hunger-millions .

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. Earlier this month leaders of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), parliamentarians, UN officials and representatives of civil society descended on Istanbul for the high level LDC IV Summit, the agenda being to evaluate progress on the Brussels Programme of Action (BPoA) – a programme adopted a decade ago that explicitly outlined commitments made by the international community to help countries graduate from the LDC bracket. Now, although the determination to make progress towards the goals of poverty eradication, peace and development is on paper, the stark reality is that the challenges and constraints that instigated BPoA remain ten years on. So where are we at?

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. Despite claims from the IMF that the selection this time around would "take place in an open, merit-based, and transparent manner" as well as a longstanding commitment to open the position to nationals of all member states, most developed country representatives had expressed clear preferences for European candidates even before nominations opened on 23 May.

Their stances will do nothing to allay fears among developing countries and civil society that pledges to address unrepresentative governance at the Bretton Woods institutions are mere window dressing. They are in direct contravention of the explicit recommendation that resulted from extensive civil society consultations last year that the election should be conducted "without pre-selection by any sub-group of powerful countries". Particularly since the arguments being proffered in favour of European candidates fly in the face of reason and logic. In an act of collective amnesia, some Europeans have argued that their current economic woes demand a European at the helm of the Fund, having asserted that objectivity was necessary in the IMF's approach following the Asian economic crisis of the late '90s. This repeats the U-turn in logic that accompanied their shift to becoming net contributors from net recipients when these institutions were founded following World War II. It is somewhat ironic that the current front runner for the Managing Director's position is French, since France was the first recipient of an IMF loan.

This week I tasted the bitter-sweet fear that is keeping Zimbabwe on its knees. Narrowly avoiding detention in a notorious Harare prison, fleeing the country in hiding, and escaping persecution due to a case of mistaken identity, are all in a day of the life of a civil society activist in Southern Africa's failing state.

My first visit to Zimbabwe was defined by fear and shaped by the all-powerful authoritative regime that most of us only read about. I arrived in Harare after the short journey from my new home in Johannesburg into a seemingly calm and attractive city. Yet the tree-lined, tranquil streets hide one of the world's most prevailing disasters.

The tragic story of Robert Mugabe's destruction of Africa's bread basket is well-known, but what happens to those who struggle for the education, health and equality for the country's population is what we should be talking about. I spent just two days listening to the people who work for non-governmental organisations that seek to improve the quality of education for women, run peace-building projects with church youth groups and ensure access to essential ARVs for people living with HIV, before I had to flee the country. Speaking out on behalf of the people the state fails to provide for is a dangerous feat in Zimbabwe and civil society activists frequently put their lives at risk.

Civil society has been defined as the space between state, private sector and family or community. Today, we are witnessing what we could call a phase transition in the make-up of civil society space worldwide. Traditional boundaries between the state and the private sector have been blurred.