Jessica Hume's blog

NEW forms of information communication technology (ICT) have begun to counter the paradigms of exclusion by empowering the silent, the invisible, the marginalised, the cynical, the passive and the apathetic to engage and act. ICT has transformed advocacy by endowing transnational networks and communities with a greater capacity to research, report, publicise, organise, campaign and develop policy on pertinent issues.

In September, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, international civil society groups, donors and government representatives  will unite at 10th CIVICUS World Assembly in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This year four young journalists from developing countries have the chance to attend the largest gathering of civil society activists in the world in all expenses paid prize. Read below to see how you can win and find information about the keynote speakers of the event.

CIVICUS is seeking to recruit a Convening Officer to facilitate the effective implementation of CIVICUS convening strategy and manage relationships between CIVICUS and its networks in the MENA region. The Convening Officer will responsible for the coordination of CIVICUS interventions in the region.

Specific objectives for this position include:

• Lead CIVICUS outreach efforts and engagements in the MENA region: liaising with partners, members and UN representatives while expanding CIVICUS membership.

CIVICUS is seeking to recruit a Convening Officer to facilitate the effective implementation of CIVICUS convening strategy and manage relationships between CIVICUS and its networks in any of the following regions: Asia, Europe or Oceania. The Convening Officer will responsible for the coordination of CIVICUS interventions in the region.

Specific objectives for this position include:

• Lead CIVICUS outreach efforts and engagements in the region: liaising with partners, members and UN representatives while expanding CIVICUS membership.

Women in civil society in Africa are particularly prone to intimidation and harassment says a new report released today (PDF) by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. CIVICUS calls on African governments, regional bodies, the international community and civil society to do much more to protect women human rights defenders on the continent.

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation calls upon African Governments to urgently treat the situation in Libya as a threat to international peace and security.

The African Union has failed to condemn the brutal actions of the Libyan government let alone publicly put pressure on its Supreme Leader, Muammar Gaddafi, to stop his murderous attacks on civilian protestors, said the international civil society organisation, CIVICUS.

Too many governments are blatantly getting away with enacting repressive restrictions on civil society and diminishing the freedoms of expression, assembly and association. That is why CIVICUS: World Alliance of Citizen Participation has launched its landmark Civil Society Watch Online platform.

The following statement was issued today by the Secretary General for CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Ingrid Srinath. Click here to see video. Share your message of solidarity below.

CIVICUS is and we hope to see you there!  

After a busy few weeks travelling I am happy to report that the CSO Accountability workshop organised by CIVICUS and Accountability Alert earlier this month in Sierra Leone was welcomed as both timely and much needed.