The need to reconnect value with values

Firstly we have to realize that something can be economically profitable, economically right but ethically or morally wrong. Civil society organizations should not only make their arguments in saying ‘this is the more economic way to proceed, that it’s better because we can show that the benefits exceed the costs’. There are also spaces to make ethical and moral arguments.

Renewable energy: a top priority in fighting climate change

I think the main thing is that if we don’t address the climate crisis there will be very severe dislocations of economic lives as well as people’s lives. And much of that, the brunt of that will be borne by poor people partly because of the way in which the climate crisis will unfold but partly because we have fewer resources with which the poor can cope. So I think from the perspective of the poor is very important that we respond to the climate crisis and avoid as much of the danger to the...

New Publication: Digital Natives with a Cause?

This new publication shows that young people are sensitive and thoughtful and more then willing to contribute to change in their societies. It proves that the common complaint that young people are not interested in politics, is mainly a result of insufficient understanding of the world of youngsters. Digital Natives - youths thriving on digital technologies - are sensitive and thoughtful; it is time to listen to them.

HIVOS-ISS seminar: 'seeing like a citizen' 25/11

On the 25th of November, from 13:00-14:30, Professor John Gaventa will facilitate a seminar at ISS on particiation, power and mobilization. If you are interested in citizen action this is an event not to be missed

Beyond Economics, the Hague, 11/12

Rick van der Ploeg will hold a keynote speech on ‘climate change, scramble for natural resources, financial crisis and sustainable development’. Subsequently, an international panel of civil society experts will discuss how to bring people’s needs to the centre of economics and how to foster collective action for a more sustainable world. The panel consists of Franck Amalric, Khawar Mumtaz and Allert van den Ham. The event will be chaired by SID President Jan Pronk. Upon invitation only.

Civil society activism in Morocco: ‘much ado about Nothing’

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 seminar was attended by participants from Hivos, University of Amsterdam, Press Now and IKV Pax Christi. The presentation and conclusions provided a p...

Dialogues of knowledge in action

The Civil Society Building Knowledge programme supports the Kabarole Research Center in Fort Portal, Uganda to elaborate a new initiative that seeks to bring together politicians, policy makers and communities to jointly engage in development dialogue and knowledge generation. Edit Tuboly, Programme Officer at HIVOS, is currently visiting the region and participated in an open space meeting. An impression