Global Perspectives 2009 Conference at Berlin Civil Society Center

I am currently listening to Mohammad Yunus the coming disappearance of Bangladesh due to climate change, part of a fascinating panel kicking off this event. You can follow along using #bcsc09 hashtag on Twitter by clicking here.

The Global Perspectives 2009 event is the first of a new series of annual conferences hosted by the Berlin Civil Society Center convening leading civil society organizations. The theme of this conference is Decisive Action in Times of Global Crisis. From their website:

In November 2009, the Center is launching the first annual conference for leaders of international civil society organisations (CSOs). Most major CSOs are expected to be represented at the Global Perspectives forum. Under the title Decisive Action in Times of Global Crisis, the conference will ask questions about how CSOs can organise themselves more effectively at a global level in order to strengthen their contribution to combating the crisis. It will also ask how CSOs can raise their voice more audibly towards the public, national governments, business and the UN and other global institutions in order to make sure decisive and appropriate action is being taken.

Over three days, the heads of the leading CSOs globally will work together with experts and key stakeholders to find answers to the most pressing challenges ahead of us. The conference will be a highly interactive event, analysing the crisis and identifying strategies and joint action to address the most crucial challenges of our times.

There is not yet much material online about the event. Her eis some more from Mohammad Yunus website detailing his planned visits to Germany:

Global Perspectives is the first annual conference for leaders of international civil society organizations. The Forum connects civil society organizations, enabling them to work together more effectively at a global level in order to strengthen their contribution to combating the current crisis. With the title "Decisive Action in Times of Global Crisis", the conference will be a highly interactive event. Among the events will be a panel discussion "Climate Change, Poverty and Human Rights: People suffering in the Global Crisis", Chaired by Professor Yunus, Irene Khan (Secretary General, Amnesty International), Walter Fust (Director General, Global Humanitarian Forum) and Hans-Joacheim Schellnhuber (Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research). The meeting is organized by the Berlin Civil Society Center. The Director of GCL, Saskia Bruysten, will also be co-chairing a session on Friday entitled, "Social business: civil society's answer to the crisis?".

You can also follow along on twitter: @kabissa and @tinywindow and #bcsc09.