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Civil society at a crossroads?

'Civil Society at a Crossroads?'

INTRAC is one of five civil society support organisations currently involved in a collective reflection process about the future of civil society around the world. The group aims to address the question of 'what are the roles, capacities, contributions and limitations of civil society in the changing local and global contexts?'

The 21st century has seen some enormous shifts in dominant perspectives and power balances – the war of terror and national security agendas dominating international relations and development assistance; the rise of Asia as the fulcrum of global economic development; financial meltdowns in North America and Europe; global assertions of new coalitions of emerging economies influencing global governance; and citizens' movements across different continents demanding democratic freedoms.

As a result, the civil society perspective that is characterised by values of solidarity, equity and inclusion finds itself under increasing pressure. At the same time, these changing local and global contexts offer both opportunities and challenges for the future development of civil society across different regions of the world.

Download the project outline to read the trajectories and events in the 21st century that the group have identified as bringing civil society to a crossroads, and the key questions that these raise for the future of civil society.

The group will produce publically available materials for both practitioners and policymakers arising out of these reflections.