Interviews

Animal welfare and the Post-2015 Agenda: A CIVICUS interview with Arjan Van Houwelingen of the WSPA

Interviews
Arjan Van Houwelingen of the World Society for the Protection of Animals Netherlands shares why the Post-2015 Agenda needs to include animal welfare and detailed targets for international cooperation towards sustainable development.

Leo Williams shares his thoughts on CSOs and a post-2015 framework

Interviews
Leo Williams in the International Coordinator of the Beyond 2015 campaign, which brings together over 260 civil society organisations from more than 60 countries that work together to influence the creation of the Post- 2015 Development Framework.

Stop the ORMAS Bill! - An interview with Longgena Ginting

Interviews
"Indonesia is home to massive environmental and cultural resources.

Language, Culture and Millennium Development Goals- An Interview

Interviews
Recently I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Dave Pearson, who is a long-time staff member at SIL International, a large nongovernmental organization which has pioneered advocacy for minority language rights and resources around the world.

Ivana Savić shares her thoughts on Youth participation in the Post-2015 Agenda

Interviews
Ivana Savic is a Policy Officer at Change Mob and Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Development Studies.

Uchita de Zoysa of Global Sustainability Solutions shares his thoughts on the MDGs and Corporate Sustainability

Interviews
Uchita de Zoysa is the Chairman of Global Sustainability Solutions (GLOSS), the Executive Director of the Centre for Environment and Development, and Initiator of the People's Sustainability Treaties.

Richard Morgan of UNICEF shares his thoughts on the Post-2015 Agenda, Women and Children

Interviews
Richard Morgan is the Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on the Post- 2015 Agenda.

CIVICUS interviews Dr. Changyong Rhee about the Post-2015 agenda

Interviews
Dr.

Civil society has the potential of finding new solutions to global challenges which are based on the principles of equity, participation and sustainability: An Interview with CIVICUS Secretary General, Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah

Interviews
New CIVICUS Secretary General Dhananjayan (Danny) Sriskandarajah who officially began his mandate as head of the global alliance this week speaks to the CIVICUS Policy Unit about the role of civil society in redressing the challenges affecting citizens around the world.

CIVICUS Interviews Felix Dodds about the MDGs, Post-2015 and Sustainable Development

Interviews
Felix Dodds is an independent consultant focusing on stakeholder engagement in the sustainable development process.

Distinguishing between civil society groups is divisive and will weaken cohesion among different sectors: An interview with Lewis Mwape of the Zambia Council for Social Development

Interviews
Lewis Mwape of the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD), speaks to CIVICUS about the status of the 2009 Zambian NGO Act and the campaign to amend the law.

Interviews with youth delegates at the ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum (2)

Interviews
Natalie Akstein, CIVICUS Junior Convening Officer and youth focal point, interviews youth delegates at the Global Youth Forum in Bali, Indonesia.

Interviews with youth delegates at the ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum (1)

Interviews
Natalie Akstein, CIVICUS Junior Convening Officer and youth focal point, interviews youth delegates at the Global Youth Forum currently taking place in Bali, Indonesia.

Human rights defenders in Bangladesh are at constant risk: An interview with Adilur Rahman Khan on Bangladeshi CSO Odhikar

Interviews
Can you tell us a little bit about the mission and work of Odhikar?Odhikar was formed by a group of human rights activists who fought against Bangladesh’s autocratic regime and struggled to restore democracy.

Change begins with the individual: An interview with Suzanne Salz, ICLEI

Interviews
How would you evaluate the Future We Want outcome document in two sentences? The Future We Want outcome document is far from certain to actually lead us to the Future We Want due to its lack of ambition and commitment by the national government leaders of the world.

It is too simplistic to declare Rio+20 an utter failure or a roaring success: An interview with Farooq Ullah, Stakeholder Forum

Interviews
Farooq Ullah is Editorial Advisor at the Stakeholder Forum.

Russia's NGO Law will inevitably result in a contraction of space and opportunity for NGOs: An interview with Boris Pustyntsev, Director of the Russia-based Citizens' Watch

Interviews
Boris Pustyntsev, Director of the Russia-based Citizens' Watch, speaks to CIVICUS about the impact of the new 'NGO Law' and recent restrictions on civil society activism in Russia.

Harassment and detentions increase in Sudan: interview with Hassen Abdel Ati, National Civic Forum

Interviews
Dr Hassan Abdel Ati, Secretary General of Sudan’s National Civic Forum, speaks to CIVICUS about the crackdown on civil society activism and independent journalists since student-led protests began in March 2011.

‘The influence and participation of civil society in governance structures is a critical aspect of sustainable development’: Rio+20 interview with Catherine Pearce, Campaign Manager, Future Justice for the World Future Council

Interviews
Catherine Pearce is the Campaign Manager for Future Justice [www.

Interview with Natia Kapanadze, Director, Legal Defense Center, Georgian Young Lawyer's Association

Interviews
Natia Kapanadze, Director of the Media Legal Defense Center at the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), based in Tbilsi, Georgia, speaks to CIVICUS about recent attacks on independent journalists and civil society’s response.

‘What will you do differently now?’: Rio+20 interview with Susanne Salz, Former Head of the Secretary General’s Office at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

Interviews
Susanne Salz is the former Executive and Policy Assistant to the Secretary General of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.

The success and failures of Rio+20: interview with Henri Valot, CIVICUS Outreach Director

Interviews
How would you evaluate the successes and failures of Rio + 20? I have sincerely mixed feelings about Rio+20.

LGBT activism in Lithuania: interview with Vladimir Simonko

Interviews
Vladimir Simonko, co-founder and chair of the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges the LGBT community faces in one of the most homophobic countries in Europe.

“For vulnerable communities, civil society groups are a ray of hope” – interview with Qamar Naseem, Blue Veins, Pakistan

Interviews
Qamar Naseem, programme coordinator with women’s organisation Blue Veins, based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, speaks to CIVICUS about the main challenges civil society groups and women face from religious right politicians in Pakistan.

‘The main issue is equality of opportunities’: Rio+20 interview with Sabina Anokye-Mensah, Voice of African Mothers

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks to Dr Sabina Anokye-Mensah from Voice of African Mothers (VAM) on her expectations for Rio+20.

CIVICUS Interviews Nikhil Seth, Head of the Rio+20 Secretariat

Interviews
CIVICUS Director of Outreach, Henri Valot, interviews Nikhil Seth, Director, UN Division of Sustainable Development and Head of the Rio+20 Secretariat* Listen to the interview HENRI: What are your hopes and aspirations for Rio+20? NIKHIL: My hopes and aspirations for Rio+20 are very high.

‘Fewer and fewer committed, independent civil society activists are remaining’ - interview with Sukhrobjon Ismailov, civil society activist, Uzbekistan

Interviews
Sukhrobjon Ismailov, founder and director of the Expert Working Group, Uzbekistan, speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges of being a human rights defender in his country.

‘Address the voice of the 99%’: Rio+20 interview with Jaehyun Jang, Programme Specialist, Reshaping Development Institute, Republic of Korea

Interviews
Jaehyun Jang is a Programme Specialist and Researcher at the Reshaping Development Institute (ReDI) in the Republic of Korea.

‘What is needed is a monitoring and accountability system for governments North and South’ – Rio+20 interview with Roberto Bissio, Coordinator, Social Watch

Interviews
Roberto Bissio is Coordinator of Social Watch network and Executive Director of the Third World Institute.

‘International civil society should spread awareness of the devastating effects of Ethiopian law’: interview with Endalkachew Molla, Director, Human Rights Council, Ethiopia

Interviews
Endalkachew Molla Demilew is the Director of Ethiopia’s Human Rights Council (HRCO), responsible for coordinating the operations of the head and branch offices, establishing links and partnerships with governmental and non-governmental institutions, human rights activists, aid organisations, CSOs and the media, and overseeing HRCO’s human rights reporting and monitoring procedures.

CIVICUS interview with Jose Mavungo

Interviews
Jose Mavungo is a human rights activist from the Cabinda region.

‘Young women are a vital part of shaping the future’ – Rio+20 interview

Interviews
A Rio+20 interview with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda is the General Secretary of the World YWCA, a global federation in 125 countries, and a human rights lawyer with extensive experience in CSO governance and transition management.

An innovative proposal to inspire the world - An interview with Alice Vincent of World Future Council

Interviews
An interview with Alice Vincent of World Future Council on the Ombudsperson for Future Generations proposal In the latest of our interviews with key civil society figures on the road to Rio+20, we talk to Alice Vincent, Policy Officer at the World Future Council, an organisation which brings together representatives of governments, parliaments, the arts, civil society, academia and the business world to form a voice for the rights of future generations.

‘We don’t see the necessary urgency and commitment from member states’ - Rio+20 interview with Cristina Diez Saguillo, Main Representative to the United Nations, International Movement ATD Fourth World

Interviews
Cristina Diez Saguillo has been a member of the International Movement ATD Fourth World's full-time volunteer corps since 2003.

‘Good intentions pasted onto flawed governance structures are not enough’ – Rio+20 interview with Linda Sheehan, Earth Law Center

Interviews
Linda Sheehan is Executive Director of Earth Law Center, an organisation that promotes recognition of the legal rights of all of Earth’s inhabitants and ecosystems and advocates for and promotes Earth-based laws and policies.

‘Civil society needs to be vigilant’ - interview with Elizabeth Thompson, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Coordinator, UN Conference on Sustainable Development – Rio+20

Interviews
Elizabeth Thompson is a former Minister for Energy and Environment of Barbados who also served as Minister for Physical Development and Minister for Health.

CIVICUS Interview with Chantal Line Carpentier

Interviews
Sustainable Development Officer and Major Groups Programme CoordinatorUN Department of Economic and Social AffairsDivision for Sustainable Development Chantal Line Carpentier joined the Division for Sustainable Development of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) as a Sustainable Development Officer in 2007.

Rio+20 Interviews

Interviews
CIVICUS has conducted a series of interviews with key players involved in the Rio+20 process.

An interview with Felix Dodds, Executive Director of Stakeholder Forum

Interviews
Felix Dodds is part of a number of advisory boards for Rio+20, including the global scientists conference in 2012 'Planet Under Pressure', the German Government sponsored conference 'Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus' in the Green Economy and the Government of Abu Dhabi sponsored conference 'Eye on Earth Summit' framework committee and stakeholder advisory committee.

CIVICUS advocates South Africans 'Right to Know'

Interviews
CIVICUS interview with Dale McKinley Dale McKinley, official spokesperson of South Africa’s Right to Know Campaign (R2K) and member of its national working group spoke to CIVICUS about the Protection of Information Bill passed by the National Assembly and awaiting approval of the National Council of Provinces.

Interview with a civil society activist: Andrey Yurov

Interviews
Andrey Yurov, from the Moscow Helsinki Group, International Youth Human Rights Movement and Head of International Observation Mission in Belarus, talks to Adele Poskitt at CIVICUS during the OSCE Civil Society Parallel conference about the situation for civil society in Belarus.

Interview with a civil society activist: Andrey Yurov

Interviews
Andrey Yurov, from the Moscow Helsinki Group, International Youth Human Rights Movement and Head of International Observation Mission in Belarus, talks to Adele Poskitt at CIVICUS during the OSCE Civil Society Parallel conference about the situation for civil society in Belarus.

CIVICUS Interview with Billy Mayaya

Interviews
Billy Mayaya, Programme Manager, Church and Society (CCAP Nkohma Synod), the human Rights and advocacy department of the Presbyterian Church in Malawi spoke to CIVICUS about the current political situation in the country and the targeted threats  civil society members.

Interview with civil society activist: Gino Govender

Interviews
Gino Govender, a seasoned civil society and trade union activist has recently joined Amnesty International’s International Mobilization team.

Interview with civil society activist: Arthur Larok, Director of Programmes at the Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGO)

Interviews
Arthur Larok, Director of Programmes at the Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGO), the newest addition to CIVICUS’ Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) family, discusses whether there is a new beginning with the NGO Law Reform Process in Uganda.

Interview with Henri Valot, CIVICUS' new Director of Outreach

Interviews
Interview by: Elizabeth Hira, Human Rights Activist and  Policy Unit Intern for CIVICUS Henri Valot has just rejoined CIVICUS as the Outreach Director, although his relationship with the organisation began in 2005 when he served as the CIVICUS Policy Advisor.

Interview with civil society activist: Pepe Julian Onziemam

Interviews
Pepe Julian Onziemam, Programme Coordinator for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) human rights organisations in Uganda, speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges of working in a hostile environment.

Interview with Civil Society Activist - Amy Bartlett

Interviews
  Amy Bartlett, the Global Coordinator of the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness, a unique global initiative working to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of civil society in development initiatives, speaks to CIVICUS about her work.

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