The Nonprofit FAQ

Global Civil Society Resources

Note: Brian Abelson, an intern who worked with us on the Nonprofit FAQ in 2008, prepared an essay on the complexity of the idea of "global civil society" which provides some background for the resources listed here. The essay is published as a .pdf file http://www.idealist.org/media/pdf/FAQ/Global_Civil_Society.pdf">here. Annotated List of Online Tools and Resources Union of International Associations “Union of International Associations (UIA) is the world’s oldest, biggest and most comprehensive source of information on global civil society. Databases and publications cover many aspects of international organizations – their history, organization and meetings, and the problems and methods with which they work.” http://www.uia.be/ “The Yearbook of International Organizations provides the most extensive coverage of non-profit international organizations available today. Directly reflecting a dynamic international arena, it contains entries on 60,000 civil society organizations in 300 countries and territories, in every field of human endeavour…The Yearbook profiles international non-governmental (INGOs) and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). There are all types of organization, from formal structures to informal networks, from professional bodies to recreational clubs – regardless of ideology.” http://www.uia.be/yearbook Much of the Yearbook’s information can be accessed online (for free) through its searchable database: http://www.uia.be/sites/uia.be/db/db/x.php. In addition, if this amount of information seems intimidating (and it is), UIA offers an annotated and well-organized page of resources included within its annual yearbook which is also accessible online (and provides many of the tools and resources within this annotated list): http://www.uia.be/en/node/135. Finally, UIA’s brief, yet valuable FAQ section provides priceless information for and about Nongovernmental Organizations: http://www.uia.be/en/faq. The United Nation’s Non-Governmental Liason Service “The Non-Governmental Liason Service promotes dynamic partnerships between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. By providing information, advice, expertise, and support services, NGLS is part of the UN’s effort to strengthen dialogue and win public support for economic and social development.” (http://www.un-ngls.org/) Make sure to check out the NGLS’s “Civil Society Observer, ” a “bi-monthly package of documentation of various kinds from all political persuasions to keep you informed of developments related to NGOs and civil society”: http://www.un-ngls.org/site/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=25. In addition, its “Civil Society Corner… features a selection of briefing papers, reports and analyses from civil society groups participating in and contributing to ongoing processes concerned with the UN development agenda: http://www.un-ngls.org/site/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=38 United Nation’s Global Civil Society Forum “The objective of the GCSF is to provide a platform for exchange and consultation on key environmental issues to be addressed by the Member States during the GC/GMEF, and to facilitate Major Groups’ contribution to the GC/GMEF and other international environmental forums http://www.unep.org/civil_society/GCSF/indexGCSF9.asp The United Nation’s Millenium Declaration The United Nation’s commitment to end poverty, promote peace, protect the environment, and mold globalization into a positive force, this declaration is seen by some as the international standard by which GCS will be shaped in the new millennium. http://www.un.org/millennium/declaration/ares552e.htm The World Economic Forum’s Initiative on Global Governance “The Global Governance Initiative monitors the efforts of governments, the private sector, international organizations and civil society towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. These objectives relate to poverty, conflict, health, education, the environment, human rights and hunger.” http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/glocalgovernance/index.htm The World Bank and Civil Society As discussed briefly in the essay above, the World Bank partners with numerous CSO’s to carry out its development work around the world. “This website will provide you with information and materials on the World Bank's evolving relationship with civil society.” http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/CSO/0,,pagePK:220469~theSitePK:228717,00.html) The European Commission and Civil Society The EU’s official website on Civil Society. Here you can find information on the dialogue and consultations of the Commission with civil society, as well as the Commission’s Code of Conduct for the EU’s Nonprofit sector, http://ec.europa.eu/civil_society/index_en.htm State of The World Forum “The mission of the State of the World Forum is to establish a global network of leaders, citizens and institutions committed to discerning and implementing those principles, values and actions necessary to guide humanity wisely as it gives shape to an increasingly global and interdependent civilization.” http://www.worldforum.org/ Global Policy Forum and NGO’s: “Global Policy Forum monitors policy making at the United Nations, promotes accountability of global decisions, educates and mobilizes for global citizen participation, and advocates on vital issues of international peace and justice.” “This page links to information and analysis about NGOs at the UN and in global policy-making more broadly.” http://www.globalpolicy.org/ngos/index.htm World Social Forum “The World Social Forum is an open meeting place where social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism come together to pursue their thinking, to debate ideas democratically, for formulate proposals, share their experiences freely and network for effective action. Since the first world encounter in 2001, it has taken the form of a permanent world process seeking and building alternatives to neo-liberal policies. This definition is in its Charter of Principles, the WSF’s guiding document. The World Social Forum is also characterized by plurality and diversity, is non-confessional, non-governmental and non-party. It proposes to facilitate decentralized coordination and networking among organizations engaged in concrete action towards building another world, at any level from the local to the international, but it does not intend to be a body representing world civil society. The World Social Forum is not a group nor an organization.” To locate an associated Social Forum near you, the WSF provides an interactive map: http://wsf2008.net/eng/view/actionmap Civil Society International “Civil Society International (CSI) assists independent organizations working for democracy and civil society in countries closed, or inhospitable, to these principles.” Based in Seattle, CSI focuses primarily on “challenges facing the independent states of the former Soviet Union” and the NGO’s which are involved within this region.” http://www.civilsoc.org/ International Society for Third Sector Research “A major international association promoting research and education in the fields of philanthropy, civil society and the nonprofit sector. ISTR reflects the growing worldwide interest in Third Sector research and provides a permanent forum for international research, while at the same time building a global scholarly community in this field.” http://www.istr.org/ ISTR publishes a quarterly journal called Voluntas with an international scope on Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations: http://www.istr.org/pubs/voluntas/index.htm Also within this website, is a database of scholarly reports on issues surrounding GCS within particular regions: http://www.istr.org/pubs/report/ Finally, ISTR provides a listserv where you can ask specific questions and get well-thought answers from experts in the field of GCS: http://www.istr.org/listserv/index.htm The International Center For Not-for-Profit Law “ICNL strives to create a world where civil society can freely develop in all its forms and participate in public decisions. In pursuit of that goal, ICNL's programs and research focus on promoting an enabling legal environment for civil society and public participation worldwide.” “ICNL helps establish the legal framework for a strong and effective global civil society through: * technical assistance to over 90 countries; * the expertise of our multinational in-house staff and global network of legal specialists; and * our partnerships with civil society representatives, government officials, scholars, and business leaders.” http://www.icnl.org/ In particular, this essay: http://www.icnl.org/knowledge/ijnl/vol8iss2/art_4.htm focuses on GCS Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project: “A systematic effort to analyze the scope, structure, financing, and role of the private nonprofit sector in a cross-section of countries around the world in order to improve our knowledge and enrich our theoretical understanding of this sector, and to provide a sounder basis for both public and private action towards it.” http://www.jhu.edu/~cnp/ Global Public Policy Network “The Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) is a partnership between Columbia University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and Sciences Po, Paris. GPPN is global in two ways: the global spread of its members and its subject focus on emerging global trends in public policy.” http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/GPPN/ The Centre for the Study of Global Governance “A leading international institution dedicated to research, analysis and dissemination about global governance. Based at the London School of Economics, the Centre aims to increase understanding and knowledge of global issues, to encourage interaction between academics, policy makers, journalists and activists, and to propose solutions. http://www.lse.ac.uk/Depts/global/index.htm Also publishes the highly-regarded, yearly series “Global Civil Society.” The 2004/5 edition can be found here: http://www.lse.ac.uk/Depts/global/yearbook04chapters.htm The Glocal Forum A portmanteau of globalization, glocalisation emphasizes the idea that as the world becomes more interconnected, local and regional connections play an increasingly important role in ensuring that under represented peoples are not excluded from the emergence of global civil society. That being said, the Glocal Forum aims “to help people from countries around the world strike the balance between sharing the benefits of globalization and maintaining local autonomy.” http://www.glocalforum.org/ Also, make sure to check out the Glocal Forums’ Glocalization Manifesto, here: http://www.glocalforum.org/mediagallery/mediaDownload.php?mm=/warehouse/documents/the_glocalization_manifesto.pdf Global Governance Watch Global Governance Watch (GGW) is a joint project of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies. Its goal is to raise awareness of the growing global governance movement and to address issues of transparency and accountability at the United Nations, in NGOs, and related international organizations. In particular, the project monitors issues of national sovereignty and the ways in which the agendas of international organizations influence domestic politics. http://www.globalgovernancewatch.org/ International Campaign to Ban Landmines Arguably one of the most successful global campaigns ever, ICBL is a worldwide coalition of over 1400 NGOs started by Jody Williams (winner of the 1997 Noble Peace Prize), which (to date-2008) has resulted in over 130 countries banning the use of landmines as well as removing landmines which had been previously put in place. http://www.icbl.org/ And of course… The Nonprofit FAQ The Nonprofit FAQ item on nonprofit support organizations from country to country: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/faq/166-227/85-56 In addition, at the bottom of this FAQ is a list of resources for Nonprofits “Worldwide,” which can be accessed directly by following this link: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/faq/166-227/85-56#worldwide And last (and certainly not least) the webhost of the Nonprofit FAQ… Idealist.org Oft-cited as an example of GCS in action, “Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.” In English: http://www.idealist.org/ In Spanish: http://www.idealistas.org/ And French: http://www.idealiste.org/ In addition, here is a link to Idealist’s practical vision for a better world, compiled by Action Without Border’s founder, Ami Dar, which could be characterized as his own version of an inclusive GCS): http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/Invite/default#invite07 . Political Documents: Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points: http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/wilson14.htm -These ideals guided the formation of the failed League of Nations as well as the eventual creation of the United Nations. United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights: http://www.udhr.org/udhr/default.htm -Despite a wealth of controversy surrounding the supposed “universality” of these standards and the lack of any surefire means of holding governments accountable to them, the UDHR has created a set of norms with which citizens across the globe can judge their leaders. As a result, the UDHR can be seen as a clear step towards making GCS a reality, despite its clear biases. Recent Publications: John Keane, “Global Civil Society”: http://www.johnkeane.net/pdf_docs/scanned_books/gcs2001/jkgcs2001full.pdf Mary Kaldor, Helmut Anheier and Marlies Glasius, Global Civil Society 2004/5 http://www.lse.ac.uk/Depts/global/yearbook04chapters.htm David C. Korten, Nicanor Perlas, and Vandana Shiva: Global Civil Society: The Path Ahead Ahead: http://www.pcdf.org/civilsociety/path.htm#Global Also See: Huntington, Samuel P. (1973) 'Transnational Organizations in World Politics,' World Politics 25 (3), 333-368. Fukuyama, Francis. The End of History and The Last Man. New York: The Free Press, 1992. Michael Walzer, ed., Toward a Global Civil Society (Berghan, 1995) Margaret Keck & Kathryn Sikkink, Activists across Borders (Cornell, 1998). Hardt, Michael and Antonio Negri. Multitude: War and Democracy In the Age of Empire. New York: The Penguin Press, 2004. Boaventura de Sousa Santos, (Ed). Law and Globalization from Below: Towards A Cosmopolitan Legality. New York : Cambridge University Press, 2005