Knowledge programme: Civil society in closed societies
Programme group Transnational configurations, conflict and governance
The Knowledge Programme on Civil Society in Closed Societies aims to generate and integrate knowledge on the roles and opportunities for civic action for democracy through CSOs in closed societies.
Period: 2006-2010
For the past two decades civil society support has been an increasingly important part of international democracy promotion worldwide.
Yet, especially in highly closed societies, such as Syria and Iran, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) face many obstacles. Organisations that criticise their governments run the risk of harassment, intimidation or even imprisonment. This not only poses several dilemmas for CSOs, but also to international organisations that support them.
The Knowledge Programme aims to find out how civic action can contribute to various processes of democratisation through different types of CSOs and in what way international actors may contribute to CSOs activities in these processes. T
his will be done by investigating the historical contribution of CSOs in these countries and the lessons we may draw from the roles CSOs played in opening up other (formerly) closed societies.
Mapping and evaluating former and current external support strategies will also form an important part of the Programme.
Seeking to appreciate local knowledge, international expertise and academic practitioner interaction, this project will involve researchers from Syria and Iran as well as several CSOs and renowned researchers from around the world.
The project will provide a basis for continuous common knowledge creation, the wide dissemination of results and capacity building in relevant CSOs, in the countries concerned, as well as internationally.
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prof. dr. G.C.A. Junne
G.C.A.Junne@uva.nl |
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drs. P.W.H. Aarts
P.W.H.Aarts@uva.nl |
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dr. A. Freyberg-Inan
A.FreybergInan@uva.nl |
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