The Role of Civil Society for Democracy and Sustainability

Symposia with hybrid elements in Germany, Tunisia and Uganda

November 2023 in Hannover/Germany, Tunis/Tunisia, Kampala/Uganda and online

Civil society plays an important role for democracy and sustainability – today more than ever! That is why the Learn2change Network organized together with the VNB e. V., Somero Uganda and Model African Union Tunisia and many other local cooperation partners a series of events with the aim to explore and document in global dialogue and with global learning how democratic participation supports sustainable processes and vice versa.

The symposia took place in Germany, Tunisia and Uganda, everywhere both physical (for invited people within the country) and online (for those outside the country and other interested parties). At all symposia, representatives and activists from civil society, education, universities, trade unions, politics and many more had the opportunity to exchange ideas and network.

The Role of Civil Society for Democracy and Sustainability

Symposium with Hybrid Elements and Global Perspectives, Germany

November 22, 2023, 10:30-17:30, Kulturzentrum Pavillon, Lister Meile 4, 30161 Hannover and partly on Zoom

During the symposium, the participants discussed the following questions with representatives from civil society, trade unions, education, politics and other interest groups:

  • What are the challenges and opportunities for engagement in promoting democracy and sustainability?
  • How can civil society organisations network and strengthen their work? Which (new) paths can we take together and which forms of engagement are helpful?
  • What kind of education is needed in order to achieve a democratic, just and sustainable transformation?
  • How can we strengthen civil society worldwide through global partnership and cooperation?
  • What political and legal framework conditions are needed to secure and expand civil society’s scope for action – locally and globally?

Christine Meissler from Bread for the World gave a presentation on the role of civil society, which was commented on by Damon Peter Wamara Kamese from the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network and Wilma Nyari from the Decolonial Network North West (Germany). Furthermore, Susanne Menge (MdB) and member of the Committee for Economic Cooperation and Development reacted to the input.

In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to explore the topics further in four workshops:

  • ESD and Global Learning for democracy and sustainability, with Michael Nagel, Institute for Didactics of Democracy, Leibnitz University Hannover
  • Between solidarity and excessive demands, with Nilda Inkermann, Ila-Kollektiv
  • Out of the Bubble – New Alliances for Democracy and Sustainability, with Anton Spatzek, #wirfahrenzusammen (alliance of climate movement, ver.di and public transport workers), and Johannes Grabbe, DGB
  • Unpacking global cooperation for sustainability, with Joseph Kenson Sakala, YSD Malawi and Miriam Winzer, YSD Germany (hybrid)

The symposium ended with a World Café, where civil society and politics engaged in dialogue on the symposium's key questions.

The symposium was facilitated by Milena Neumes.

Links to videos of the impulses (on YouTube):

Christine Meissler, Brot für die Welt, Germany: Impulse on Democracy and Sustainability need Civil Society – locally and worldwide

Damon Peter Wamara Kamese, Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN), Uganda: Democracy and Sustainability need Civil Society – locally and worldwide. Comment from a perspective of the Global South

Wilma Nyari, Dekoloniales Netzwerk Nordwest, Germany: Demokratie und Nachhaltigkeit brauchen Zivilgesellschaft – lokal und weltweit. Kommentar aus einer dekolonialen Perspektive aus dem ländlichen Raum

The symposium was organized by VNB e. V. in cooperation with Verband Entwicklungspolitik Niedersachsen VEN e. V., DGB Niedersachsen, Bildungswerk ver.di and Learn2Change – Global Network of Educational Activists in the frame of the project OUR VOICES –OUR PLANET I

The Role of Civil Society for Democracy and Sustainability

Symposium with Hybrid Elements and Global Perspectives, Tunisia

November 25, 2023, Tunis and online via Zoom

The symposium began with contributions on the following topics:

  • The Contribution of civil society to education and democracy learning by Mathilde Berric, International Project Coordinator, France.
  • CSOs' role in implementing actions at a local level and the mechanisms and tools available to CSOs to contribute to public policy on sustainability and climate justice, by Wissem Toumi Ajimi (Agricultural and Rural Development Engineer).
  • Tunisian civil society and the social and solidarity economy: supporting citizens’ initiatives and reducing economic inequalities, by Zouhour Ouamara (Assistant Professor of Public Law).
  • CSOs: an inclusive space for women to establish democracy and sustainability, by Salwa Abdelhameed (Project Manager and Training Consultant at the National Council for Women in Egypt) and Sabrine Jemaiel (Executive Director of MAU).

After an open discussion, a World Café and Fishbowl discussion took place to further explore the topics and facilitate dialogue.

Links to videos (on YouTube) and audios of impulses:

Salwa Abdelhameed, Project Manager, and Training Consultant (National Council for Women), Egypt: CSOs, inclusive space for women to establish democracy and sustainability (Video)

Mathilde Berric, International Project Coordinator, France: The contribution of civil society to education and democracy learning (Audio)

Zouhour Ouamara, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Public Law, Tunisia: Tunisian civil society and the social and solidarity economy (Audio)

Sabrine Jemaiel, Executive Director Model African Union, Tunisia: The role of CSOs in health care (Audio)

The symposium was organized by Modèle de l’Union Africaine in cooperation with the South Mediterranean University, VNB e. V. and the Learn2change-network. Learn2Change – Global Network of Educational Activists in the frame of the project OUR VOICES –OUR PLANET I

The Role of Civil Society for Democracy and Sustainability

Symposium with Hybrid Elements and Global Perspectives, Uganda
November 30, 2023, Kampala and online via Zoom

The key questions of the symposium were:

  • What kind of education is needed to achieve a democratic, just and sustainable transformation?
  • How can civil society organisations contribute to education for sustainable development?
  • How can we increase the representation of disabled people in sustainable democratic processes?
  • What political and legal framework conditions are needed to secure and expand the scope for action of civil society – both locally and globally?
  • How can we increase the voice of children and young people in environmental democracy?
  • What kind of education do we need to enhance climate change mitigation

The conference was facilitated and moderated by academics and activists who interacted with the various stakeholder groups attending the event. Selected speakers from academia, civil society and government departments gave presentations, followed by plenary and group discussions. A critical companion from Tunisia was present to provide a global perspective. The conference was attended by a government representative and the dean of the Department of Development Studies at Kyambogo University.

The following presentations were given:

  • The Role of Civil Society in Education for Sustainable Development, by Dr Rev. Grace Lubaale
  • People Living with Disability in a Sustainable Democracy, by Dr Naboth R. Cole
  • Children and Youth in an Environmental Democracy, by Dr Judith Irene Nagasha
  • The crucial role of education in climate change mitigation, by Mr Franscis Musoni Okiria.

Links to videos of impulses (on YouTube)

Serugo Paolous, Kyambogo University, Uganda: The Role of Civil Society for Education for Sustainable Development

Francis Musoni Okiria, Management Consultant (PPM).MMS/PGDiPPPM/BA.SWSA, Uganda: The Role of Civil Society for Education for Sustainable Development

Dr. Judith Irene Nagasha, Kyambogo University, Uganda: Education and Climate Change Mitigation

Hamza Ghedamsi, Model African Union, Tunisia: The Role of Civil Society for Democracy and Sustainability. A Perspective from Tunisia

Dr. Naboth R. Cole, Makerere University, Uganda: People Living with Disability in a Sustainable Democracy

Angelline Kisaakye, Kyambogo University, Uganda: The Role of Children and Youth in Promoting Environmental Democracy

The symposium was organized by Somero Uganda in cooperation and Department of Development Studies Kyambogo University, VNB e. V. and the Learn2change-network. Learn2Change – Global Network of Educational Activists in the frame of the project OUR VOICES –OUR PLANET I
An event of the VNB e. V. in cooperation with Learn2Change – Global Network of Educational Activists in the frame of the project OUR VOICES –OUR PLANET I

Supported by funds from:
Engagement Global on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Brot für die Welt (the Development and Relief Agency of the Protestant Churches in Germany), the Catholic Fund, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs and the Lower Saxony State Agency for Civic Education.