2010 marked the third year of CIVICUS' current strategic cycle (2008-2012) [Link]. During this period, our work is focused on three strategic directions: 1. Protecting the rights of civil society actors [Link] CIVICUS' first strategic direction is to protect the rights of civil society actors. Working with members, partners and other allies, CIVICUS aims to strengthen efforts to promote the existence of an adequate space for civil society to operate freely; protect civil society organisations (CSOs) and citizen action from oppression and marginalisation; and provide solidarity to civil society when under threat. 2. Strengthening good practice within civil society [Link] CIVICUS' second strategic direction is to strengthen good practice within civil society. Working with members, partners and other allies, CIVICUS aims to support initiatives to maintain and, when necessary, improve the accountability, transparency and legitimacy of CSOs; and encourage and support CSOs to comply with the highest standards of conduct in all aspects of their work. 3. Strengthening civil society's ability to influence the policies and practices of governments, international institutions and the private sector [Link] CIVICUS' third strategic direction is to strengthen civil society's ability to influence the policies and practices of governments, international institutions and the private sector. Working with members, partners and other allies, CIVICUS aims to: support civil society's increasingly vital role in confronting the challenges to humanity that governments, international institutions and the private sector are failing to adequately address; build effective collaboration within civil society and strengthen the sector's capacity to engage (collectively and individually) governments, international institutions and the private sector; and increase civil society's hands-on experience of political processes. Our Work Integrating these three strategic directions, CIVICUS' work can be grouped under four themes: 1. Civil society knowledge : With a desire to increase and strengthen the knowledge about and by civil society, we have worked with our partners throughout 2010 to increase the knowledge generated on the state of civil society. 2. Civil society space : In 2010, we have partnered with local and global organisations to protest hard against the restriction of space for civil society to exist, express and engage. 3. Civil society accountability : Throughout 2010, governments, donors and beneficiaries were continuing to demand increased transparency and accountability from civil society organisations. Throughout the year, we worked to provide the resources and knowledge to build the capacity of civil society organisations in this area. 4. Civil society effectiveness : 2010 saw on-going crises, from economic to climate, battering civil society from all sides and requiring increased collaboration from the local to the global level. CIVICUS worked on civil society effectiveness in global governance processes to enhance civil society capacity to mobilise and influence key decision makers. |
