#NPTechChat: Civil Society Under Threat – A Deeper Dive

06-10-2015
Join us for a Twitter chat on the closing space for civil society.
What are the tactics used by opponents to close space for civil society? What are the best strategies to counter and undermine these threats? How can we foster greater support for advocates of civil society? How do we specifically support Indigenous social movements working to strengthen civic spaces in their respective countries?
Join @TechSoup @CIVICUSalliance @ICNLAlliance @FHI360 @plus_socialgood for a deeper dive into the closing space for civil society. Join the live Twitter chat on October 6, 2015 at 4:00 pm CET . Tune in by following along at #NPTechChat. 
We’ll examine:
  • On the role of public opinion in closing spaces: What narratives do regimes use to justify restrictions, and how can CS activate greater public support?
  • Do civil society organisations in closing spaces want help from external actors? If so, how to help effectively and without putting CSOs at greater risk?
  • Many activists call for better civil society coordination to counter closing spaces, but why isn’t there more cooperation? What are the impediments?
  • How have CSOs successfully worked together to open political space? How do we strengthen CSO coordination and engagement in-country and across borders?
  • How can existing social movement be supported and strengthened, particularly Indigenous organizations?
Participants will include:
  • Serving 127 countries, TechSoup Global is an international network of 62 NGOs that leverages technology to build nonprofit capacity and help solve social problems locally and globally. @TechSoup
    • Chris Worman, Senior Director, Global Media. TechSoup @ChrisWorman
    • Sheila Warren, VP Strategic Alliances, General Counsel, NGOsource/Techsoup Global. @sheila_warren
    • Dara Westling, VP, Alliances and Global Media, TechSoup. @darawestling
    • Lewis Haidt, Senior Online Community and Social Media Manager, @lewisha
  • CIVICUS is a global network of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world. Founded in 1993, CIVICUS proudly promotes marginalised voices, especially from the Global South, and has members in more than 160 countries throughout the world @CIVICUSalliance 
  • Danny Sriskandarajah, Secretary General and CEO of Civicus, @CIVICUSsg
  • ICNL shares a vision in which people are empowered to work together to improve their lives and is heading efforts to promote safe legal spaces for civil society around the world. ICNL is also the leading source for information on the legal environment for civil society, philanthropy, and public participation worldwide. @ICNLAlliance
  • FHI360’s civil society programs empower citizens to work together for positive social change. FHI 360 strengthens the leadership capacity of national and community organizations and increases the transparency of government agencies. @FHI360
  • +SocialGood has over 40,000 fans, followers, and members, representing over 140 countries. It’s an international community where digital innovators, thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, change makers, and global citizens come together to share world-changing ideas and catalyze action. The online community platform empowers the new, connected generation to work together to find, develop, share, and advocate for solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. @plus_socialgood

CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations, works to highlight these challenges and offer solutions.  

FHI 360’s civil society programs empower citizens to work together for social change.

ECNL's founder, The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) is leading efforts to promote safe legal spaces for civil society around the world.

A TechSoup Global project, #NPTechChat is a monthly Twitter-chat series for social change activists that focuses on reducing barriers and increasing impact using technology around the globe brought to you with our partners at +Social Good. We are excited to partner with CIVICUS, ICNL, and FHI360 on these critical issues facing civil society.

Help us spread the word by sharing #NPTechChat copy on social media:
  • Twitter: Examine threats facing civil society w/ @CIVICUSalliance @ICNLAlliance @FHI360 @plus_socialgood. #NPTechChat: 10/6. http://ow.ly/Spuax Share strategies to strengthen #CivilSociety. Dive deeper on best tactics to counter threats. 10/6. #NPTechChat. http://ow.ly/Spuax
  • Facebook: Dive deeper into the threats civil society faces around the global in our next #NPTechChat October, 6, 2015. Share solutions and how to best support activists. Push back with Civicus, PlusSocialGood, ICNL and FHI360. 4:00 pm CET, 7:00 am PT, 10 am ET, 4:00 pm Johannesburg (UTC+2), 7:30 pm New Delhi (UTC+5.5). http://ow.ly/Spuax

Twitter: @TechSoup @CIVICUSalliance @ICNLAlliance @FHI360 @plus_socialgood

Facebook: TechSoup, Civicus, PlusSocialGood, FHI360