Social Movements and Cross-Cutting Issues

Author(s): Jeroen Mimpen
Publication date: Tuesday 13 May 2008

The Hivos Business Plan 2007-2010 includes objectives and indicators on the linkages between social movements as well as on the way social movements handle cross-cutting issues in the areas of Human Rights, LGBT, indigenous organisations, HIV/Aids and gender. The monitoring of developments of these linkages and cross-cutting issues requires a baseline study delving further into the issue and identifying/assessing the main linkages and cross-cutting issues.

As part of the Hivos-ISS Knowledge Programme cooperation, a study (2008-2009) will be performed that will not only create this framework, but will also conceptualize social movements and analyze external support to social movements. Furthermore, specific assumptions that are underneath objectives on cross-cutting issues (such as gender mainstreaming and/or HIV/Aids workplace policy) in external support to social movements will be tested.

The central objective of the study is to provide a baseline for monitoring of linkages and cross-cutting issues between the social movements as identified above. More specific objectives include:
• to better understand the concept of social movements and the role Hivos plays in the support to organisations within these movements;
• to identify major cross-cutting issues and assess the level of effective mainstreaming, cooperation and inclusion of these issues in policies, strategies and activities;
• to provide a base for monitoring developments and reassess the above at a later stage.
By understanding social movements’ developments and the linkages between them, Hivos will be better able to focus on mainstreaming and improve its policies and strategies.

A number of potential research questions can be identified. The following general questions regarding social movements can be included in the research. These are meant to better understand the social movements and the role CSOs play in these movements.
• How can the concept of social movement be understood, what understanding of social movements does Hivos have, and how do Hivos’ partners see the concept of social movements?
• What role has the interplay between international, national and local organisations in the mobilisation of people in social movements and connecting these organisations with their constituencies?
This first batch of questions should, however, be addressed succinctly in a first phase, as not to delay the construction of a more practical monitoring framework.
Secondly, the following questions can be formulated regarding the cross-cutting dimensions of social movements.
• What cross-cutting issues can be identified with regard to the social movements Hivos works with?
• To what extent are these cross-cutting issues effectuated in current policies, strategies and activities of CSOs within these social movements?
• To what extent do relations, cooperation and alliances exist between CSOs operating in different social movements, why do they exist, and to what extent and under what conditions are they effective?
Thirdly, some more strategic questions can be included in the research. These are targeted at the way Hivos could keep track on the development and strengthening of social movements’ interplay.
• What indicators can be used to monitor social movements and their interplay, and what is their base-line value?
• Should, and – if so – how can Hivos strengthen the effective interaction between CSOs operating in different social movements to strengthen their overall presence and effectiveness?
The above questions – in three batches – provide (1) a better understanding of social movements (to a certain extent necessary to conduct the research), (2) a stock-taking of current interplay between social movements, and (3) strategic recommendations including stock-taking of indicators and assessment of (future) Hivos policies.

Related links:

www.hivos.nl