CIVICUS has embarked upon a strategic planning process to guide the organisation in the coming years. The organisation's future success as the group's objective have a road map to navigate the planning process to help lead a better understanding and cooperation. In this week’s column, I would like to share with you the thoughts of Rieky Stuart, member of CIVICUS Board of Directors, on the strategic planning process, including questions for assessing the organisation's readiness to plan, a detailed outline of what board and staff should expect during planning, and a thorough step-by-step look at approaches to planning. Rieky has worked in international development for 30 years, and is currently working as a consultant. She was Oxfam Canada’s Executive Director from 1999 to 2005.
In Solidarity,
Kumi Naidoo
Choosing the right strategic planning method for civil society activism
By Rieky Stuart, of the CIVICUS Board of Directors - CIVICUS Strategic Planning Process
CIVICUS Strategic Planning Process
The world has changed since 2001, when CIVICUS launched its last strategic plan. We’ve seen the world’s largest ever mobilisations by people in all parts of the world – against the war in Iraq, in favour of ending poverty. We’ve seen rising pressure to curtail individual freedom, and increased surveillance of citizens and their organizations in the name of preventing terror.
CIVICUS has also changed during this time. We have expanded our role in protecting the rights of association, assembly and expression, in protecting those who are persecuted for participating in peaceful demonstrations, and in engaging citizens’ associations with government and business. CIVICUS has also served in a central convening role for the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) since early 2005.
It’s time to take a systematic look at these external and internal changes and to renew and reinvigorate CIVICUS’ course for the next several years. We are asking CIVICUS members and allies (and critics) to share their thoughts about the trends affecting civil society, and about the future of CIVICUS. One way of doing this is through the CIVICUS website, where we will invite all those interested to contribute, and create a blog of their conversations.
In addition, we will post questions that emerge from time to time on e-CIVICUS and on the website, and share progress on our analysis and recommendations. CIVICUS members will hear the results in Glasgow at the World Assembly in May 2007, and the final detailed plans will be finalised during the remainder of 2007 for implementation beginning in 2008.
This process is being spearheaded by a taskforce of 5 board members, 5 staff members, and two external advisors, supported by a consultant. CIVICUS Board member Rieky Stuart, former Executive Director of Oxfam Canada has been tasked by the CIVICUS Board with leading and coordinating our efforts.
Initially, we are asking people to reflect on and respond to the following questions:
1. What are the most significant ways in which the context for strengthening civil society is changing and what impact are these changes likely to have in the coming three to five years?
2. How are the perceptions of the role and potential of civil society as a force for positive change evolving among practitioners, governmental and political circles and the academic world?
3. In your view, what are the three most important issues that civil society should be addressing in the coming years and at what levels?
4. How can CIVICUS better position itself to support civil society in addressing these priority issues?
5. Based on your understanding of CIVICUS, in your view what are the organisation’s main strengths and weaknesses?
What are your thoughts? Let the debate begin on the CIVICUS Blog!.
Warmest regards,
Rieky Stuart
Below you will find all previous columns published within e-CIVICUS editions.
