Key Themes
Parallel sessions will address the following key themes:
Fundamental Freedoms: Defending Civil Society Space
Governments are using creative legal maneuvers to shrink space for civil society. What arguments and strategies can CSOs use to defeat undue restrictions? What is the role of diplomats, development officials, and philanthropists in advancing civic space?
Access to Resources
Financial resources – including domestic philanthropy, international grants, and impact investments – are the lifeblood of civil society. An increasing number of countries are now blocking access to resources. How can we promote laws that allow funds to flow?
The Freedom to Communicate and Connect
The freedom of expression is under threat online and offline. Journalists and activists face fines, imprisonment – or worse. Coupled with governmental surveillance, communication and connections are chilled. What can be done to protect the freedoms of expression and association in the digital age?
Peaceful Protest
What are good police practices in response to peaceful protests? How should the police respond to protester violence? How can we avoid a militarized response to peaceful protests?
Civic Space and Development
It is critical that people have a meaningful say in their own development, and this can only happen with adequate civic space. What role does civil society play in advancing development objectives? How can we ensure that the Post-2015 Development Agenda reflects the centrality of civic space to development?
No Democracy Without Citizens
True democracy requires the meaningful participation of citizens through civil society. Unfortunately, civil society is often marginalized at the highest levels of decision-making, both at the national and international levels. How can civil society claim its place as a legitimate – indeed, essential – element in governance?
Rights For All
The best way to expand civic space is to fill it with more people. Unfortunately, many governments are trying to keep LGBT individuals, disabled persons, women, and others out of the public sphere. How do we make civil society and civic space more inclusive?
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