If states, markets and NGOs fail to bring about change and social justice, then who will?
Can citizens come up with new perspectives on social change? Are civic driven changes a potential solution to global political problems? They might. In fact they are...
The Civic Driven Change Initiative is a year-long process of thinking, writing and debating to arrive at and communicate a perspective of change in societies that stems from citizens rather than states or markets. It is supported by a number of Dutch non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that value the potential of creating a strong civic narrative which extends beyond local conditions and circumstances.
29 September 2008
Latin American societies are witnessing the multiplication and consolidation of a supposedly new type of governance. Today, self-styled progressive parties and political figures govern in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela. Many of the new forms of social mobilisation and the innovations in public policy promoted by Latin American progressive governments challenge the classic variations of the market economy and representative democracy.
27 May 2008
Kenya's eruption of violence focussed the world's attention on a country that until recently was known as an African example of democratic state development. But the 'unexpected' disturbances during the elections and the post-election procedures, denounced by concerned citizens and governments, have led to serious questions: how can Kenya's current political situation be explained? And, perhaps even more important, what actions can and should be undertaken by politicians and civil society actors to restore a stable democracy?
In an attempt to answer these and other questions Hivos and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) have invited two representatives of Kenyan organisations working in the field of democratization to the Dutch Africaday of 19 April 2008. Focussing on the role of political parties, politicians and the Electoral Commission of Kenya, Ms. Njeri Kabeberi (Executive Director of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy in Kenya) presented a political perspective on the Kenyan crisis. From a civil society perspective Mr. Wambua Kawive (Chief Executive Officer of the Constitution and Reform Education Consortium) reflected upon the role of Civil Society Organisations, societal groups and the concept of citizenship. In doing so, the guest speakers as well as the participants were invited to engage in a debate on one of this years most important African developments. A report of this workshop.
13 May 2008
Hivos and ISS jointly organise two regional consultative workshops in San José (15-16 April 2008) and Johannesburg (2-23 April 2008) to further develop the knowledge programme on Civil Sociey Building. Together with major partners, research institutes and regional offices, Hivos and ISS will discuss main issues in civil society building and will propose a concrete research agenda to contribute to the debate on civil society building.
11 April 2008
On 16 January 2008, the first meeting of the new Think Tank on Civic Driven Change in The Hague, The Netherlands was held. The Think Tank, consisting of an international group of academics and practitioners is a joint initiative of Hivos, Oxfam Novib, Cordaid, SNV and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS). Context International Cooperation acts as a facilitator. It aims to devise a narrative on Civic Driven Change that stems from people as civic actors and intended to act as a catalyst to wider civic interest, engagement and debate.
18 February 2008
