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