Keyword: civil society building
The Power of Civil Society
Hivos and ISS jointly organised a Network Seminar for the fourth time on 27 November and 9 December 2008. The case studies presented explored the diversity of roles and strategies employed by civil society organizations based on the recent field research of four ISS MA students supported by the Civil Society Building Knowledge Programme in 2008. The aim of these seminars was to better understand the power of civil society to influence the state around issues such as HIV/AIDS, women’s rights,...The End or the And?
Can civil society organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa succesfully advocate, lobby and mobilize to fight poverty and corruption, and to bring development and democracy? Have citizens’ organizations in the new roles of policy making and participation in service delivery been able to realize the high hopes and aspirations surrounding their explosive growth. And how has international assistance promoted or hindered their struggle to catalyze social change and pro-poor development?...
The End or the And?
Can civil society organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa succesfully advocate, lobby and mobilize to fight poverty and corruption, and to bring development and democracy? Have citizens’ organizations in the new roles of policy making and participation in service delivery been able to realize the high hopes and aspirations surrounding their explosive growth. And how has international assistance promoted or hindered their struggle to catalyze social change and pro-poor development?...
Claims to Success: ICT based Advocacy for the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa
How can the internet be used to promote the advocacy efforts by civil society organizations? In this paper, Karoline Kemp reflects on this question by examining the Solidarity for Women’s Rights Coalition (SOAWR) and their work towards promoting the Protocol for Women’s rights in Africa. The African Union adopted this protocol in 2005, but to date the ratification, popularization and implementation by member-states has been a slow process. SOAWR been instrumental in civic efforts to promote t...
Claims to Success: ICT based Advocacy for the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa
How can the internet be used to promote the advocacy efforts by civil society organizations? In this paper, Caroline Kemp reflects on this question by examining the Solidarity for Women’s Rights Coalition (SOAWR) and their work towards promoting the Protocol for Women’s rights in Africa. The African Union adopted this protocol in 2005, but to date the ratification, popularization and implementation by member-states has been a slow process. SOAWR been instrumental in civic efforts to promote t...
Contemplating civil society
On 29 and 30 July, a delegation of the knowledge team from HIVOS and ISS visited South Africa. The purpose of the visit was to attend a stocktaking workshop of the ongoing research projects in the region and to prepare for a civil society conference, scheduled for November this year. The visit took place amidst a wave of strikes and (violent) protest in several townships of Johannesburg and Cape town, allegedly caused by public dissatisfaction about public service delivery and stalling wage...
The impact of legal mobilisation on the Anti-Privatisation Forum (APF)
Under the South African Constitution, reinforced by a national Free Basic Water policy, all South African citizens have a right to water. In practice however, local governments continue to trade water as a commercial service, with perverse effects for the poorest. A case in point is Phiri, a poor suburb in Soweto. In 2004, Against the will of the residents, Johannesburg Water installed a prepaid water system. The system delivered a generally insufficient quota of water free of charge. If hous...Knowledge & Change Spotlight: When civics go 'governance'
The ‘spotlight session’ provides a daily preview of key events of our upcoming Knowledge Dialogue. Today we highlight a workshop hosted by the Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building Knowledge Programme. Reflecting on recent research projects in a number of African countries, the programme analyses what has happened with ‘civics gone governance'.
Knowledge & Change Spotlight: When civics go 'governance'
The ‘spotlight session’ provides a daily preview of key events of our upcoming Knowledge Dialogue. Today we highlight a workshop hosted by the Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building Knowledge Programme. Reflecting on recent research projects in a number of African countries, the programme analyses what has happened with ‘civics gone governance'.
When Civics go Governance
In ‘When Civics go governance’ Ria Brouwers analyses the stormy ascent of African NGOs in the field of good governance. Tracing the tracks of the NGO-boom in Africa, Brouwers brings together key academic writings with ISS led field on NGO interventions in Zambia, Uganda, Kenia and Tanzania conducted under the banner of the Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building Knowledge Programme.
Lies or stories?
Lies or stories?Is there so much as a routine, when you're doing field research in Northern Uganda? Follow Marjoke in this new blog on her visits to the villages of Kitgum district.
Mobility and mobilization; structure and strategy of claiming migrant rights in Southern Africa
Urban centres in Kenya and South Africa are among the main hubs in Subsharan Africa hosting large groups migrants from neighbouring countries. Migrants traverse and transform geographic, social, and political space. Within these spaces, successful quest for profit, passage, and protection depend on rights to work, move, and access necessary social support. Focusing on three South African cities and Nairobi, urban centres with significant non-national populations—this study will document and e...Knowledge & Change Spotlight: Unusual Suspects
The 'spotlight' session series provides a daily preview of key events of our upcoming Knowledge Dialogue. Today, we highlight a discussion session on civil society trends, new actors and unusual suspects - co-hosted by the Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building knowledge programme and the Hivos/UvA 'Civil Society in West Asia' programme.
Knowledge & Change Spotlight: Unusual Suspects
The 'spotlight' session series provides a daily preview of key events of our upcoming Knowledge Dialogue. Today, we highlight a discussion session on civil society trends, new actors and unusual suspects - co-hosted by the Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building knowledge programme and the Hivos/UvA 'Civil Society in West Asia' programme.