The time has almost come to finalise the consolidation of the findings of the Open Forum process – it is now exactly one week to the second and final Global Assembly 2011 of the Open Forum, 28 to 30 June in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Dear Friends, Comrades, Brothers and Sisters, These are the words Kumi frequently uses to communicate with the broad family of influential people he has worked with over the years and I hope you will allow me to address you in this way also.

Dear CIVICUS member, partner and friend, As you may have heard already, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on 6 June 2011 his intention to seek a second term of office after his current five-year term expires on 31 December 2011.

David Kode, Policy Officer for CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation* I was asked by the Africa Platform for Development Effectiveness to give a presentation on civil society perspectives/updates towards the Busan High Level Forum during the Platform’s Case Studies Peer Review Session which ran from 5-7 June 2011.