CIVICUS’ Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) is gearing up
Release Date: 24 March 2006
Published on e-CIVICUS 284
In 2004, CIVICUS launched an affinity group for national associations of non-governmental/non-profit organisations (NGOs/NPOs). Members are national umbrella organisations or networks where the organisation:
- is a national or regional (covering more than one country) network of NGOs/NPOs;
- serves the general interests of the NGO/NPO community in that country/region;
- is a membership organisation, with its membership (other legal entities or organisations, not individuals) drawn from various sectors of the NGO community;
- has among its primary purposes: to strengthen the capacity of NGOs and provide space for them to function; to advocate on behalf of its members on general NGO/non-profit and civil society-related issues; and to provide services to its members and the wider community.
Currently 43 organisations from 43 countries have confirmed their interest in AGNA. The first official meeting will be held during the CIVICUS World Assembly, June 21 2006 followed by two related workshops. All AGNA members have submitted a survey of their organisation and confirmed their interest. Active networking begins in April.
The aim of the CIVICUS AGNA is to engage national associations as well as CIVICUS members in fostering greater co-operation across national and regional boundaries and increase their ability to pursue mutual interests.
This aim is based on the following identified needs:
- The need for an international citizens’ coalition;
- The need to reverse the current understanding of capacity building characterised by a North to South flow of knowledge, information and experience sharing;
- The need to provide a support network for national network leaders;
- The need to reduce the amount of ‘re-inventing of the wheel’ and improvisation in the leadership of NGOs/NPOs.
New web pages for AGNA will be located on the CIVICUS website (www.civicus.org) by March 30.
If you are a national association, please contact Kristina Mänd at kristina@civicus.org.
