Strengthening citizen agency through ICT: an extrapolation for Eastern Africa

Since the late 1990s, the prospect of using ICT (Information Communication Technologies) to improve accountability, transparency, access to information, and monitoring authorities has attracted general optimism. However, early hopes that e-initiatives would be the panacea of all the problems have given way to more modest claims. An aspect that has not received much attention so far is the use of ICT in support to citizen agency; to involve and inform communities and interact with and influence authorities. There are quite a few examples of successful smaller projects in this realm, also in developing countries. But new emerging technologies (e.g. mobile phones) create new momentum for strengthening citizen agency at larger scale. This paper focuses on the how ICT is already being used for this, and where the possibilities for the future lie.

Hivos Annual Report 2007

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation whose work is based on humanist values. Together with local civil society organisations in developing countries Hivos wants to contribute to the creation of a free, fair and sustainable world: a world in which citizens – women and men – have equal access to resources and opportunities for development. In which they are able to take an active and equal part in the decisionmaking processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Hivos Vision Paper on Civil Society Building

In Hivos’ vision, strengthening civil society is at the core of social transformation. Over the last 15 years, Hivos has defined its strategy in this respect as ‘civil society building’ (CSB). ‘Building’, though, does not mean working towards a clearly-defined end situation, or following a single, standard ‘construction plan’, and also not imposing these methods and formats from outside. The main drive is to facilitate or enable endogenous processes of association among citizens in the South and linking and mobilising support for these processes at the global and national levels. The aim of this paper is to elaborate upon the general vision on CSB as described in Civil Voices, building on experiences, lessons learned and contextual changes over the last five years. The paper provides the main guiding principles for Hivos policy in this domain, without going into detail at the level of specific (sub-) programmes.

Regional Integration, Protection And Migration Policy Challenges In Southern Africa

Honouring South Africa#039;s commitments to promoting the rights and prosperity of all its residents – citizens, immigrants, refugees and asylumseekers – requires a regime of laws and practices that ensures that the presence of non-nationals does not foster corruption, coercion and illegality by citizens, private security firms and state agents. Despite South Africa#039;s commitments to ensuring that its asylum system promotes human rights, administrative rationality and the rule of law, considerable obstacles remain to achieving this end.

Hivos Annual Report 2006

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Partnership and the International Aid Reform: Challenging Citizenship and Political Representation?

Hivos Annual Report 2005

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Making Civil Voices Heard: Media, Information and Communication for Development Programme 2005 - 2008

The Media, Information and Communication for Development (MIC) programme will empower citizens in developing countries – especially the poor and marginalized and their organisations – to express their voices and make them heard. The programme will enable access to information and communication resources that can help improve livelihoods and stimulate other development opportunities. The programme will also open up and broaden opportunities for a free flow of information, for networking and sharing knowledge and for public and democratic spaces for political debate and participation. Making Civil Voices Heard is divided in 5 main components and respective purposes: Strategic use of ICTs among Hivos partners Knowledge sharing opportunities among Hivos partners, New Media (civil media amp; communication platforms, Lobby for inclusive and human rights based ICT amp; Media policies, Research and innovation.

Hivos Annual Report 2004

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Hivos Annual Report 2003

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Hivos Annual Report 2002

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Poverty by Design: The Economics of Discrimination in Tibet

The issue of Tibet is an intensely debated topic with much of the polemic revolving around political autonomy and the abuse of civil, political, and cultural rights. Despite evident violations in these areas, the Chinese government counters that on the economic level it has been playing an important developmental and welfare role in Tibet. It argues that it has been facilitating the long-term transition of a backward region into the modern global economy and empowering Tibetans to participate on an equal footing with other Chinese citizens. The Chinese government thereby expects the international community to tolerate human rights abuses as an expedient element of their beneficial economic strategies. This assumes, however, that the economic role of the Chinese state in Tibet has been positive for Tibetans. Poverty by Design: The Economics of Discrimination in Tibet illustrates that, despite China#039;s commitment to the United Nation#039;s “Declaration on the Right to Development”, government statistics reveal a clear trend towards the marginalization of ethnic Tibetans within both the national economy and within the local economy of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

Hivos Annual Report 2001

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Hivos Annual Report 2000

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.