Invitation to the to the CIVICUS World Assembly

You are invited to the CIVICUS World Assembly, Gaborone, Botswana, 21-25 March 2004

I write to invite you to the forthcoming CIVICUS World Assembly, that will take place in Gaborone, Botswana from 21-25 March 2004. As you may know, previous World Assemblies have all been exciting and inspiring events that have left their mark.

In Mexico City (1995), in Budapest (1997), in Manila (1999), and Vancouver (2001) World Assemblies have offered a unique opportunity for civil society activists to consider new strategies and to consolidate existing ones that were showing promise, in advancing greater space for citizen participation and the strengthing of civil society more generally.
The World Assembly fulfills various specific purposes.

1. A forum for dialogue and debate

It creates an opportunity for civil society organisations which normally do not have access to certain important actors nationally, regionally and internationally to engage in dialogue and debate about the future of the planet generally, and the role of civil society specifically. This World Assembly will feature amongst others, Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and now Executive Director of the Ethical Globalisation Initiative, Graça Machel from the Community Development Foundation in Mozambique (and a founding Board member of CIVICUS), World Bank President James Wolfensohn; Salil Shetty, the Global Campaigns Director for the Millennium Development Goals; Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International; the President of Bostwana, Festus Mogae, and the Secretary General of the Southern African Development Community, Prega Ramsamy. We are also in the process of finalizing the participation of Nelson Mandela.

2. Engaging with other sectors

The Assembly also offers the opportunity for civil society activists to interact and engage in informed debate with interested parties from government, business and from intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations, to reflect on the state of civil society around the world and the role they can play to create enabling conditions for strengthening democracy and civil society.

3. Showcasing regional diversity

We have rotated the CIVICUS World Assembly on a regional basis since its inception. The Gaborone World Assembly will be the first to take place in Africa and we expect many delegates from the continent. The opening ceremony, which will take place in the ‘kgotla’ style of a traditional Batswana community consultation. This Assembly, while maintaining its international character, will give special attention to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, youth empowerment, gender equality and capacity development.

4. Generating a theme which encompasses the broad interests of civil society

The overall World Assembly theme is Acting Together for a Just World. Plenary sessions, learning exchanges and capacity-building workshops will focus on the following sub-themes: Civic justice which explores ways to defend the rights of civic associations and to strengthen the governance and legitimacy of civil society organisations; Social justice, which explores civil society’s role in situations of public or private conflict; Political justice which explores ways to enhance citizen engagement in decision-making; and Economic justice which will reflect on the ways in which globalisation is changing the world of work.

5. Learning Exchanges

As at previous meetings, learning exchanges will serve as an invaluable way of promoting exchange between local and international participants. These exchanges will include site visits to community projects, informal and formal receptions, and capacity-building sessions focused on local, regional and international experiences on the themes of the Assembly.

6. An opportunity recharge our batteries and celebrate successes

On the last evening of the World Assembly we will hold a celebration of a decade of citizen action, looking back over the achievements of CIVICUS and its members since the organization was first established in 1993.

At the same celebration, we shall be awarding ten ‘seed grant’ prizes of US $5,000 for the most innovative proposals for community-based and grass-roots action to emerge from the World Assembly discussions.

7. Accountability and Consultation

The World Assembly is also an opportunity for the board and staff of CIVICUS to present a progress report on what has been achieved and challenges since the last Assembly. More importantly it also serves as an important consultation opportunity for the incoming board and staff to hear members’ and partners’ views on what the focus on CIVICUS should be in the coming years.

Please do join us in Gaborone. It will be a unique opportunity to meet hundreds of civil society practitioners, researchers, activists, concerned business leaders and government representatives. Details of the World Assembly programme, practical information and a registration form can be found on the World Assembly Web site: www.civicusassembly.org

We would appreciate it greatly if you could share this invitation with colleagues and partners in your organisation and networks. On behalf of the board and staff of CIVICUS please accept our thanks for your consideration to participate in the World Assembly and we look forward to welcoming you to Botswana.

With kind regards,

Kumi Naidoo
Secretary General and CEO
CIVICUS - World Alliance For Citizen Participation