This Year Saw Most of the World Repressed – but in Civil Society there is Hope
Opinions & Features
By Mandeep Tiwana, Interim Co-Secretary General, CIVICUS.
Opinions & Features
2024 in Review: Celebrating Civil Society’s Resilience and Impact
Opinions & Features
A message from Interim Co-Secretary Generals, Claire Nylander and Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners and allies
As a tumultuous 2024 draws to a close, we would like to celebrate the remarkable courage of civil society in the face of adversity.
COP29 Falls Short on Finance
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
International community: Speak up now about Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians
Opinions & Features
By Jesselina Rana, Human rights lawyer and UN adviser at the New York Hub of CIVICUS
Every week, the evidence mounts that Israel is committing grave war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip that likely amount to genocide.
Strengthening our alliance: Key Outcomes from Board Week, MEM2024, and Team Initiatives
Opinions & Features
A message from Interim Co-Secretary Generals, Claire Nylander and Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners and allies
Hope this message finds you well despite the turbulent times we are living in.
Solidarity is the missing link to a stronger civil society ecosystem
Opinions & Features
Ecosystem is a widespread term today, having grown in popularity in recent years.
When the truth becomes a lie: What Trump’s election means for the world as we know it
Opinions & Features
By Mandeep S.
Mohammad Yunus can go down in history as the architect of a new Bangladesh
Opinions & Features
By Mandeep Tiwana, Chief of evidence and engagement and Representative to the United Nations at CIVICUS
After mass protests forced long-term Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country in early August, Bangladesh found itself in a unique moment of opportunity to chart a path towards true democracy.
Can the UN Human Rights Council Protect Rights While Abusers Sit at the Table?
Opinions & Features
States with abysmal human rights records seek election to the UN Human Rights Council not to advance human rights but to block their realization.
Honduras: Environmental Defenders Still under Siege
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
The UN Cybercrime Convention: A New Repressive Tool in Disguise?
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Tunisia: A Hollow Victory in a Non-competitive Election
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin
Tunisia’s 6 October presidential election did what it was designed to do: prolong autocratic incumbent Kais Saied’s stay in power.
The Future of Civic Freedoms: Lessons from My Time at CIVICUS
Opinions & Features
By Lysa John, outgoing Secretary General of CIVICUS.
Georgia’s Dangerous Anti-LGBTQI+ Law
Opinions & Features
Georgia’s ruling party has put LGBTQI+ people firmly in the firing line ahead of next month’s election.
A UN 2.0 Needs Robust People’s Civil Society Participation
Opinions & Features
By Jesselina Rana, UN advisor at CIVICUS and Mandeep Tiwana, chief of evidence and engagement at CIVICUS plus representative to the UN in New York
A cascade of crises endangers our world.
New Zealand: Māori Rights in the Firing Line
Opinions & Features
A New Zealand bill that would roll back Indigenous rights is unlikely to pass – but it’s emblematic of a growing climate of hostility from governing politicians.
Climate Activists Target Culture Greenwashing
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Rwanda: Authoritarian Leader Secures Another Term
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
No one can pretend to be surprised.
Venezuela Struggles to Hold on to Hope
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
LOCAL LEADERSHIP LABS’ REFLECTIONS & INSIGHTS: THE SOUNDING BOARD
Opinions & Features
By Taís Siqueira (Local Leadership Labs Coordinator) and Joanna Makhlouf (Local Leadership Labs Assistant)
The Sounding Board (SB) played a crucial role in the inception of Local Leadership Labs (LLL) by advising on partner selection, identifying priority countries within the two regions, and sense-making the initial LLL framework.
Cambodia’s Young Environmental Activists Pay a Heavy Price
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
It’s risky to try to protect the environment in authoritarian Cambodia.
Eswatini: Jailing of Politicians the Latest Act of Repression
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
Two politicians have just been sentenced to long prison terms in Eswatini.
Kenya’s Protests: More than a Question of Tax
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
The UK’s Chance for Change
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
The political tide has turned in the UK – and civil society will be hoping for an end to government hostility.
HLPF 2024: Protecting Civic Space Critical for SDGs Success
Opinions & Features
By Jesselina Rana, CIVICUS UN Advisor at UN Hub in New York City.
UAE Complicit in Sudan Slaughter
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Namibia: LGBTQI+ Rights Victory amid Regression
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
In June, the Namibian High Court struck down two sections of the country’s Sexual Offences Act that criminalised consensual sexual relations between men, finding them unconstitutional.
Myanmar: International Action Urgently Needed
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
Myanmar’s army, at war with pro-democracy forces and ethnic militias, must know it’s nowhere near victory.
Secretary General, Lysa John, transitions from CIVICUS
Opinions & Features
A message from Lysa John, Secretary General of CIVICUS
Dear CIVICUS members and allies,
At the end of 2024, I will complete six years with CIVICUS.
Thailand’s LGBTQI+ Rights Breakthrough
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
At the height of 2024 Pride season, decades of civil society campaigning came to fruition in Thailand.
New Caledonia: Time to Talk about Decolonisation
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Haiti: Transitional Administration Faces Stern Test
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
There’s been recent change in violence-torn Haiti – but whether much-needed progress results remains to be seen.
Venezuela’s Opportunity for Democracy
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
India’s Election: Cracks Start to Show in Authoritarian Rule
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Panama’s Elections: Has Impunity Prevailed?
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela
Regional experts called it Panama’s most important election since the 1989 US invasion that deposed de facto president General Manuel Noriega.
Solomon Islands: A Change More in Style than Substance
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin is CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Introducing CIVICUS Impact Stories: Understanding our contribution towards expanded civic and democratic space
Opinions & Features
A message from Lysa John, Secretary-General of CIVICUS
Dear CIVICUS members and allies,
In July 2022, CIVICUS started delivering on our revised strategic plan, focusing on one overachieving goal across the alliance: ‘to strengthen civil society and civic action for expanded civic and democratic space.
EU’S ‘Foreign agent law’ is misguided
Opinions & Features
By Tara Petrovic, leads research on Europe and Central Asia for the CIVICUS Monitor.
Civil Society Scores LGBTQI+ Rights Victory in Dominica
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
South Africa’s post-apartheid democracy is sustained by protest
Opinions & Features
By Safia Khan and Tarryn Booysen
On April 27, South Africa marks the 30th anniversary of the end of apartheid, when we, South Africans, finally won the fight for all to be recognised as equal citizens.
The Climate Alarm Is Ringing – It’s Time to Stop Silencing It
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin
The heat records keep tumbling – 2023 was the hottest year in recorded history.
Senegal’s Democracy Passes Crucial Test
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
The fact that Senegal’s election took place on 24 March was in itself a triumph for civil society.
Fixing the rules-based order: Start with the UN
Opinions & Features
By Mandeep Tiwana, Chief Officer - Evidence and Engagement at CIVICUS
U.
Gender Rights: Resistance Against Regression
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
The criminalisation of climate activists must stop now
Opinions & Features
Andrew Firmin is the co-author of the State of Civil Society report and Editor-in-Chief at CIVICUS, where he leads research into climate activism around the world.
Strengthening Civic Space in Zambia: A Decade of Challenges and Collaborative Efforts
Opinions & Features
CIVICUS, in collaboration with our esteemed partners at the GEARS Initiative, recently convened civil society actors in Zambia to delve into the intricacies of citizen-led advocacy aimed at expanding civic freedoms through legislative and policy reform.
2024: A Big Year for Women and Democracy
Opinions & Features
By Lysa John, Secretary General of CIVICUS
The year 2024 is a bumper election year.
International Women’s Day, 2024 Progress Hinges on Feminist Leadership
Opinions & Features
By Lysa John, Secretary General of CIVICUS
Investing in inclusion requires more than electing and initiating women leaders.
Greece: Another First for LGBTQI+ Rights
Opinions & Features
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
After almost two decades of civil society campaigning, Greece’s parliament has passed a law enabling same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.
Russia: Moments of Dissent after Two Years of War
Opinions & Features
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine marked its second anniversary on 24 February.
