We look forward to hosting a stakeholder convening on Civic Space in Africa which will serve as a platform for dialogue, learning, and strategising around the critical issues facing civil society organisations, human rights defenders, policymakers, and other key actors in the promotion and defense of civic space in the region.
Overview
Civil society as a social phenomenon in Africa encompasses a range of actors who have played a crucial role in promoting democracy and human rights, including checking state power excesses, monitoring the condition of human rights, civic education, and providing alternative means for communities to raise their level of material development. However, it is important to recognise that civil society is not a monolithic entity, and there are divergent views on the role that CSOs should play in all these roles. Some CSOs prioritise regime change and are willing to work with supposed external actors to achieve their goals, while others focus on working within existing systems to effect change. Additionally, there are cases where CSOs have been co-opted by oppressive regimes and have been used to legitimise their actions. The exercise of these complex roles has, at times, put sections of civil society into loggerheads with the state, with many regimes in the region resorting to imposing overly restrictive regulations.
In light of these developments, there is a growing recognition of the importance of protecting and expanding civic space in Southern Africa. The convening organised by the CAPSI aims to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from CSOs, human rights defenders, academics, policymakers, philanthropists, and other key actors, to discuss ways of promoting and defending civic space in the region. The convening will feature representatives of civic space organisations/champions from the Southern African region sharing experiences, learning from each other, and strategising ways to address the challenges facing civic space in the region.
The convening recognises the importance of engaging all actors in the conversation and seeks to facilitate discussions on the diverse perspectives within civil society, including those advocating for regime change and those working within existing systems. Additionally, it acknowledges the complexities of CSOs’ relationships with oppressive regimes and aims to provide a space for nuanced discussions on these issues. Ultimately, the convening aims to promote greater understanding and collaboration among stakeholders to protect and expand civic space in Southern Africa.
