International civil society
Kenya
A coalition of leaders at the World YWCA International Women's Summit in Nairobi (Kenya) have launched a Global Call to Stop Cervical Cancer, a disease that kills more than a quarter of a million women each year. The Global Call aims to end cervical cancer by mobilising political support to ensure that every woman and girl has access to newly available life-saving vaccines and new tools for screening and treatment.
Further information: All Africa story
China
China has ordered the closure of a bilingual nonprofit newsletter that tracked the development of civil society, saying its British founder was conducting statistical surveys, an illegal activity for foreign organisations or individuals. The China Development Brief which, until its closure in early July, monitored efforts by international aid organizations and local nongovernment groups working on environment, health, labour and other issues.
Further information: International Herald Tribune story
Venezuela
Freedom of expression is under threat in Venezuela. This is the message of a series of demonstrations by civil society, artists, politicians, journalists and student leaders in Caracas. These demonstrations (which are ongoing) were sparked by the recent decision to revoke the broadcast licence for a private television station RCTV. The demonstrators are calling on Venezuela's Ombudsman Germán Mundaraín to restore this licence.
Further information: News from Venezuela
Ghana
The idea of a United States of Africa, continues to inspire many African civil society activists. In Ghana, for example, groups have called for a pan-African Parliament which would be directly elected with national Commissioners forming an executive. Whilst this initiative clearly takes inspiration from the EU model, the big difference here is that civil society is at the core of discussions at this early stage. This visionary idea, which has the support of many development agencies had made its way onto the agenda of the African Union.
Further information: Campaign for a United States of Africa
World
The GCAP (Global call to action against poverty) campaign (of which Make Poverty History was part) continues to call for delivery on promises of better aid, debt cancellation, and trade justice. At the G8 summit, GCAP campaigners from around the world were there in force.
Further information: Whiteband website
Canada
Canada's new government has made major cuts in the federal budget which are likely to impact on many voluntary sector organisations. More than C$1billion cuts will be implemented over the next two years, targeting areas of inefficiency, poor value for money and projects offering non-core funding. Canadian civil society is pledging to campaign against the cuts which it estimates will have serious impact on its work and go against the spirit of its Accord (compact).
Further information: Imagine Canada
Russia
77 foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Russia have been forced to suspend their activities, after the government rejected their registration applications. This decision comes in spite of President Putin's guarantee to civil society that the new NGO law would not be used to silence critical NGOs.
Further information: Civicus
Bahrain
A decision to allow all licensed NGOs to monitor the election process in Bahrain has been welcomed by civil groups. The decision follows pressure from NGOs to allow them to monitor the elections independently.
Further information: Gulf Daily News
United Nations
The UN General Assembly brushed aside Western criticisms to elect China, Russia and Cuba to its newly-created Human Rights Council. All members of the Council will have their human rights records periodically reviewed which could result in a suspension from the council.
Further information: IPS article Politics: UN Defies West in Vote for Human Rights Council
India
NGOs in India have been protesting against construction work on a controversial dam in the Narmada Valley because of the displacement of many thousands of communities without proper compensation. Protestors from the NGO, Narmada Bachao Andolan are calling for a national law to prevent other government-sponsored projects from displacing people from their homes in the future in this way.
Further information: the OneWorld article Indian NGOs Demand More Humane Approach to Development
European Network of National Civil Society Organisations (ENNA)
In a globalised world, working across borders is more important than ever. Civil society organisations can play a unique role in reaching citizens and serve as a key link to governments and business in an inclusive democracy.
ENNA brings together national cross-sectoral civil society associations, umbrella bodies and platforms that empower and support thousands of local and national public benefit / non-profit civil society organizations across Europe.
Please visit the ENNA website for more information.
International membership
We have specifically developed an International Membership package to enable organisations based outside of the UK to keep up to date with the work of the NCVO and to receive news and information about the English Voluntary Sector. Join NCVO, get the international membership.
