CIVICUS CIVIL SOCIETY NEWS
History of the CIVICUS World Assemblies
Issued: 16 June 2006, e-CIVICUS 296,
All our World Assemblies have had one central goal-to create a space where a diversity of voices can be heard exchanging experiences, challenges, successes and dreams and, most importantly, concrete ideas for a more equitable and just world. But the world has changed since the first Assembly in 1995, bringing forth new challenges for civil society. Each Assembly has reflected these developments and highlighted the strategies of global civil society in addressing new challenges.
“The purpose of [the] first World Assembly is to guide the newborn organisation through its childhood years,” said Miklós Marschall in his Executive Director’s first World Assembly message in 1995. Through plenary speeches and regional and thematic meetings, the delegates worked at creating the five goals that would guide CIVICUS through the initial years. Although now consolidated, the same goals remain at the core of CIVICUS’ work-promoting and protecting civic existence, civic expression and civic engagement.
Brian O’Connell, former Chair of the CIVICUS board, and then President of Independent Sector in the United States, described the first Assembly in Mexico City as “a glorious achievement.” “To watch those 500 people from more than 50 countries find and spark one another had to be among the high points for all of us who dreamed of such a meeting place,” he reflected.
In 1997, the World Assembly moved to Budapest, Hungary, attracting more than 500 people from 76 countries and six continents. Participants reviewed CIVICUS’ activities and immersed themselves in issues around visibility, resource mobilisation and creating an enabling legal environment for civil society.
Kumi Naidoo, now CIVICUS CEO and Secretary General and an Assembly delegate at the time, highlights the intimate and interactive sessions which have become a hallmark of the Assemblies. “The Budapest Assembly provided a perfect opportunity for small group discussions with other delegates who were struggling with the same issues as I was, [such as] the role of national networks, which I was working on at the time,” he recalls.
Budapest, like the Assemblies that followed it, proved to be an invaluable occasion to draw government, business and civil society closer together and to make very real changes to the lives of citizens worldwide. For instance, a debate between Child Relief and You (CRY- India), Levi Strauss & Co and the Toyota Foundation regarding the mobilisation of resources and a decrease in dependency resulted in the development of a Corporate Engagement Project.
The following Assembly took place in Manila in 1999, with the theme “Towards a New Civil Society: The Changing Roles of Civil Society Organisations, Business and Government.” Over 600 delegates from all sectors of society discussed the varied elements of engagement. Youth participation in civil society was introduced as a topic for the first time, as were the popular learning exchange visits.
In 2001, shortly after the “anti-globalisation” protests in Seattle, Genoa and Quebec City, the 4th Assembly was held in Vancouver. Over 730 people from 87 countries reflected on “putting people at the centre,” and “the role of voluntary action in shaping social and economic change.” The delegates were drawn into, and engaged with, Canada’s dynamic and varied civil society through 22 learning exchanges and a host of events. Youth played the most prominent role yet, voicing their perspectives through the Youth Engagement Project, a daily bulletin and website. One of the keynote speakers was Craig Kielburger, the 18 year old founder of (Kids Can) Save the Children.
Although globalisation was not the official theme of the 2001 Assembly, it certainly became the main subject of discussion and debate throughout the five days. The strength of dialogue was particularly put to the test as the World Bank’s Mats Karlsson faced criticism and concern with regard to the Bank’s role. In one exchange, a delegate pointed out, “We need everyone working together. We need to stop throwing rocks at each other and start working together to find solutions - not just window-dressing solutions, but real ones.”
Many viewed the 2004 World Assembly as the best yet. While CIVICUS had planned for only 800 delegates, over 900 participants from over 105 countries gathered in Gaborone, Botswana. Under the theme of ‘Acting Together for a Just World,’ civil society organisations, intergovernmental organisations, national governments and business leaders debated the meanings of social, economic, political and civic justice. The five cross-cutting themes - HIV/AIDS, gender equity, youth involvement, capacity building and marginalised people - were discussed throughout the Assembly in plenary sessions, learning exchanges and 72 workshops.
Working together was at the heart of the 2004 Assembly, as delegates reflected on how citizens and nations relate to each other in the context of a world stunned by the events of 11 September 2001, the tragic situation in Iraq, and the Madrid bombings. Passionate debates flared on the challenges of democratising democracy, the unequal benefactors of economic globalisation, the place of civil society in divided societies, and the contentious divide between civil society as an public advocate or social service provider. The 2004 Assembly closed on the message that even though these are challenging times for civil society, the world would be a much bleaker place where it not for the energy, activism and efforts of civil society organisations around the world.
For the next three years, the World Assembly will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). In 2006, as in past years, delegates will come together to exchange thoughts, experiences and to ask questions. In addition to convening about 80 exhibitors, the Assembly will host over 90 workshops, and over 40 learning exchanges in and around Glasgow. Plenary sessions and workshops will urge reflection on a variety of current issues, including the effects of the war on terrorism, the shrinking civic space in many countries, the need to build bridges between sectors, the value of new media and the changing nature of funding.
“The 2006 CIVICUS World Assembly is a golden opportunity for networking at every level of civil society. Our pledge to have 50% women and 30% youth delegates reflects our commitment to participatory activism,” says CIVICUS Chair Aruna Rao. “I look forward to meeting you between June 21st and 25th!”
Hope to see you in Glasgow!
For more information on CIVICUS World Assembly, log at www.civicusassembly.org.
