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In July 2008, Hivos and the University of Amsterdam initiated the Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia (Syria and Iran).The core component of the collaboration centres around creating interaction between researchers and practitioners through theoretical and practical research aims at developing, disseminating, integrating and applying knowledge on civic engagement in West Asia (Syria and Iran).
Complex Dynamics Civil-Political Societies and Democratization Processes
07/01/2010 Is there a relationship between civil society and political society in democratisation processes? How do these societies influence each other? What are the potential interrelated (explanatory) variables of both societies which could improve or impede democratization? To find out more about these topics, read the interesting research paper of Stephan de Vries titled: The Downfall of Simplicity and the ‘Complex’ Notion (s) of Democratization: A Revision of the Relation between Political Societ...Working Paper: Moth or Flame, the Sunni Sphere and Regime Durability in Syria
02/12/2009 This working paper is written by Teije Hidde Donker and based on the forthcoming academic article “Enduring Ambiguity. The Civil Dynamics of Authoritarian Upgrading in Sunni Syria” Teije Hidde Donker is currently a PhD student at the European University Institute in Florence. During the first half of 2009 he conducted field research in Syria for the Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia
Newsletter, October 2009, Issue 1
02/12/2009 We are pleased to present to you the first quarterly newsletter from the Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia, which celebrated its first anniversary. Civil Society Activism under Authoritarian Rule
18/11/2009 On the 13th of November, 2009, Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia organised a seminar on the Moroccan civil society for the political scientist and researcher Dr. Francesco Cavatorta. Dr. Cavatorta is attached to School of Law and Government, Dublin State University and Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia. The presentation and conclusions provided a platform for researchers and civil society actors to involve in a lively and critical debate about the role of Moroccan c...
Working Paper: Moth or Flame, The Sunni Sphere and Regime Durability in Syria
28/10/2009 This paper investigates relations between the Syrian regime and the Sunni sphere by providing a brief policy oriented analysis of regime - sphere relations and their role in the resilience of the Syrian authoritarian regime. It adds to the emerging appreciation amongst scholars and practitioners in the field of civil society that civil activism does not necessarily have a positive impact on processes of democratization and/or socio-political liberalization. It does this by questioning the ex...
Round table discussion with Radwan Ziadeh
Within the framework of Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia, Hivos and University of Amsterdam will organize a round table discussion with the Syrian researcher and activist Radwan Ziadeh. The discussion will concentrate on challenges faced by and windows of opportunities for Syrian civil society actors striving to improve human rights and rule of law in their country.
Syrian Civil Society Scene
On the 8th of September, IKV Pax Christi and the Knowledge Programme ‘Civil Society in West Asia’ organized a round table discussion on civil society in Syria. Two guest speakers from Syria were present, both of them affiliated with civil activism in their country.Where is post 12 June Iran heading?
The events of the past months in Iran, unpredicted as they were, have raised many questions about the direction the Islamic Republic will take. In an attempt to create an opportunity for experts on the subject of Iran to get together and try to make sense of the situation and the possible outcomes, a seminar was held on 2 July 2009 at the University of Amsterdam. The meeting was chaired by Paul Aarts and speakers included Touraj Atabaki, Shervin Nekuee, Maaike Warnaar and Erik van Zuylen.
Iranian Civil Society Speaks - Elections turning into a Quiet Revolution
"Where is my vote?"; "I want my vote back" are slogans from Tehran streets with which we have been familiarised over the past few days. What is the role of the Iranian civil society in the current protests against election results? Read the report prepared within the framework of the Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia.
Report on 'Civil society dynamics under authoritarian rule'
Are there links between civil society activism and democratisation? To what extent is the 'traditional’ notion of civil society still workable? And is the authoritarian state simply a 'security state' acting on repression and staying in power or is it 'interdependent' on and even 'needs' civil society for its own survival? The report on 'civil society dynamics under authoritarian rule’ sheds lights on and provides insights about these topics.Community Login
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