CIVICUS is to initiate a new project, the Civic Space Barometer, in partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative, which will profile the status of civic space in countries around the world. Its aim is to assess, on a regular basis, whether space for civil society has shrunk or expanded and to make it possible to identify regional and global trends.

Importantly, the Barometer will include a predictive element to enable interventions before significant political capital is invested in restrictive policies and laws. This will help civil society groups, governments and donors to more effectively prioritize their actions. Such actions might include advocacy missions to countries, such as the one to Zimbabwe in November this year, which brought together civil society, business, media, political and religious leaders from eight African countries to meet with their counterparts in Zimbabwe, to discuss the challenges faced and possible action to be taken.

Accountability theme for 2007 World Assembly

Following on from the 2006 CIVICUS World Assembly, accountability will once again constitute the main focus of the 2007 event, under the theme ‘Accountability – Delivering Results’. A call for World Assembly workshop proposals is open until 20 December and can be downloaded at http://www.civicusassembly.org

The 2007 World Assembly will also be an opportunity to discuss the findings of a strategic review and planning process currently being conducted. This process, which will receive input from CIVICUS members, partners and a wide range of stakeholders, will ensure that CIVICUS’s work remains responsive to the needs of civil society worldwide.

For more information
For more about the Civic Space Barometer, email CIVICUS at cswatch@civicus.org 
For more about the 2007 World Assembly, email worldassembly@civicus.org or visit http://www.civicusassembly.org

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Secretary General: Kumi Naidoo
T +27 11 833 5959 x137
info@civicus.org
eric@civicus.org
http://www.civicus.org