CIVICUS Board Elections 2022

Abigail Freeman

Roshni Nuggehalli

I am Roshni Nuggehalli, a feminist and development professional based in India. Over the past 15 years, I have held various roles within the development sector. As the Executive Director of the non-profit Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) in India, focused on enabling rights for marginalised groups, I have guided dialogue and action on human rights, from local to global platforms. As an Advisory group member of Healing Solidarity Collective, I have worked to hold space for South Asian non-diasporic voices within the international development sector, and encouraged practices of healing and collective care that play a pivotal role in challenging injustice within the sector. I have also served as Convenor of both local and national coalitions, such as the India-wide Wada Na Todo Abhiyan, which is focused on governance accountability. 

I completed my Masters degree from Purdue University, USA, and am fluent in English, Hindi and Kannada. My work has focused on issues of youth and child rights, migration, the informal economy and governance, and appeared in internationally peer reviewed journals and books.   My passion for strengthening citizen action and governance accountability motivates me to apply for the position of a CIVICUS Board Member. As a leader from India, I have experienced the growing challenges in enabling participatory democracy, civil society organising and struggles for justice. My access to and engagement with other stakeholders in the global south helps me better understand the emerging needs and sensitivities of this region. Moreover, I am mindful of upholding principles of equity, justice, diversity and inclusion and would like to further them in every space. I have a deep regard for the purpose and objectives of CIVICUS and, if given the opportunity, will do my best to contribute to strategic direction towards realising the organisation’s vision and mission.

  1. Favouritequote by someone who inspires me

I am inspired by the title of a book (and essays within) by Jane Barry and Jelena Djordjevic - 'What's the Point of Revolution if We Can't Dance?' For me it reinforces the importance of authenticity, bringing yourself as you are, and valuing our whole selves. It also inspires me to follow my passion with a sense of lightness and openness to change, failure and learning. ​​

  1. What skill are you most proud of or want to learn? ​​

I have experience in strategy building processes, particularly in the balance between guiding immediate pathways for change, while enabling big picture dreams and collective energies. This has helped me to support collaborations meaningfully and remain adaptable to evolving challenges while staying rooted in core values and intentions. I look forward to further strengthening these skills. ​​

  1. What is your vision for civil society? 

My vision for civil society is for stronger and meaningful collaboration, and for responsive resourcing of people’s movements and citizen action, so we can better address multiple intersecting vulnerabilities and strengthen the call for governance accountability and justice globally. I am drawn to how we can respond to the polarities of our deeply complex world with humility and creativity, while centering compassion and dignity in everything that we do.​​

  1. What lesson(s) have you learnt from failure? 

In my leadership journey, I have learnt how to reposition what I considered my ‘areas of improvement’ (such as introversion, forgiveness, faith in people) as my strengths. By engaging in a process of constant reflection (with myself and my colleagues) and by facilitating spaces where we can openly talk about our failures, I have learnt not just from my own experiences, but encouraged others to also share and learn from one another. I have learnt how to lead from my values and to trust my instincts more, even when they go against the expected norm.

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