Seminar: Civil Society under pressure in Sub- Saharan Africa: What are the Effective ‘Push Back Efforts’? (København)

Perspectives from West Africa Civil Society Institute and CIVICUS

What is the state of civic freedoms in Sub-Saharan Africa? What are the ways forward for civil society organizations (CSO’s) to enlarge civic space? What are the appropriate ways and is it even possible for government bodies and CSOs to collaborate? This event attempts to answer these questions by inviting Charles Kojo VanDyck from West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Teldah Mawarire from CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation.

Charles Kojo VanDyck from WACSI will present the context of civic space in Ghana, Senegal and Mauritius and highlight some of the ‘push back efforts’ implemented by civil society that have successfully led to enlarged civic space, as well as, present what he regards to be the current challenges facing civil society. Teldah Mawarire from CIVICUS will present her perspective on the state of civil society in Sub-Saharan Africa and discuss the implications of cooperation between civil society actors and government bodies in the region.  

Come join the event and take part in our public discussion as we try to advance our understanding of the best responses available to enlarge civic space, and particularly, how Danish civil society and government can support in a better way. This will be the second event in our series of events this fall that sheer light upon the state of civil society and potential counterstrategies to the tendency of governments to close space for civic engagement.

About the presenters:  

Charles Kojo VanDyck is Head of Capacity Development at West Africa Civil Society Institute and the founding member of International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (ICon)

Teldah Mawarire is Policy and Research Analyst at CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation and former Editor at the Mail & Guardian South Africa. 

The event is hosted by CIUSU and Globalt Fokus. 

Practicalities

Deadline for registration: 12:00 September 6.

More information: Sara Brandt, [email protected].