1. business and industrial
2. business operations
3. business plans

S TOC K HOL M CIV I L SOCI ETY W EEK 2 015
Program
Stockholm Civil
Society Week 2015
October 12–16
Monday, October 12
Open Seminar Day 1: Civic Space
09:00–12:30
Plenary Session I: Civic Space in the World Today – Trends, Protection,
Promotion
Moderator: Mr. Erik Lysén, Director of International Affairs, Church of
Sweden
This introductory session offers a variety of stakeholders’ analyses of civic
space in the world today. It examines the drivers and consequences of shrinking
space and the responses so far. It also looks at promoters of open and opening
civic space and provides recommendation on how to promote an enabling
environment for civil society.
09:10–09:30
1. Welcoming
• Ms. Ulrika Modéer, State Secretary for International Development
Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, ­Government of Sweden
• Ms. Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Director General, Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
09:30–10:30
2. Key Note Speech
Mr. Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of
Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Civic Space in the World Today
10:30–11:00
Coffee Break
11:00–12:30
3. Panel Discussion
• Ms. Maria Leissner, Secretary General, Community of Democracies
• Mr. Douglas Rutzen, President, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
• Ms. Annica Sohlström, Secretary General, Forum Syd
• Ms. Monica Asuna, Senior Economist and Head of the Aid Effectiveness
Secretariat, National Treasury, ­Government of Kenya
• Ms. Maria Teresa Lauron, Co-Chair, CSO Partnership for Development
Effectiveness, and Chair, Asia Pacific Research Network
• Mr. Jerzy Pomianowski, Director, European Endowment for Democracy
12:30–13:30
Lunch Break
13:30–15:00
Plenary Session II: Civic Space at the Global Level: Influence, Legitimacy
and Democracy in Global Governance
Moderator: Mr. Erik Lysén
This plenary session with a multi-stakeholder panel examines civic space at
the global level covering questions such as; How are assembly and association
rights exercised in the context of global policy processes and of multilaterals?
What is and what should be the role of civil society in promoting global
democratic governance through multilaterals and other global governance
bodies and processes? What do we need to do differently to strengthen civil
society’s role in global democratic governance?
13:30–14:00
1. Key Note Speech
Mr. Hans Agné, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science,
Stockholm University; How do CSOs change world politics? Influence,
legitimacy and democracy in global governance
14:00–14:50
2. Panel Discussion
• Mr. Alan Fowler, Prof. (Emeritus), International Institute of Social Studies
(ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Mr. Richard Ssewakiryanga, Co-Chair, Multi-Stakeholder Task Team
on CSO Development Effectiveness and Enabling Environment, and
Co-Chair, CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness
• Mr. Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of
Peaceful Assembly and of Association
• Ms. Kristina Henschen, Secretary General, Union to Union and
Chairperson, CONCORD Sweden
• Mr. Andrés Pablo Falconer, Head of Partnerships, Global Partnership
for Social Accountability, the World Bank
14:50-15:00
3. Introduction to Parallel Sessions
Moderator: Mr. Erik Lysén
15:00–15:30
Coffee Break
15:30–17:00
Parallel Sessions; The Regional Dimension
These parallel sessions will provide situation analyses at the regional and
national levels with focus on causes and consequences of shrinking and opening
civic space. They will also explore responses and provide recommendations.
Conclusions from the parallel sessions will be followed up in plenary by the
Moderator.
1. Africa Moderator: Ms. Eva Christina Nilsson, Secretary
General, Swedish Mission Council
2. Europe Moderator: Mr. Goran Miletic, Programme Director
Western Balkans, Civil Rights ­Defenders
3. MENAModerator: Ms. Ann Svensén, Secretary General,
Swedish Development Partner (IM)
4. AsiaModerator: Ms. Elisabeth Dahlin, Secretary General,
Save the Children Sweden
5. The AmericasModerator: Mr. Magnus Björk, External Cooperation
Advisor, Forum Syd
19:00–21:00
Reception with Buffet at Moderna Muséet
Visiting address: Skeppsholmen, Stockholm
Tuesday, October 13
Open Seminar Day 2: Civil Society Support
09:00–12:30
Plenary Session III: Supporting CSOs, Civil Society and Beyond
Moderator: Mr. Erik Lysén
This plenary session offers a variety of stakeholders’ analyses of changes
underway in civil society in terms of actors and strategies. It examines how these
changes affect civil society support and cooperation within civil society, including
the impact on “traditional” partnerships between value-based civil society actors
(e.g. trade unions, children’s rights’ organizations, religious actors etc.)
09:00–09:10
1. Introductory Remarks
• Ms. Karin Fällman, Senior Policy Specialist, Civil Society Unit, Sida
• Moderator: Mr. Erik Lysén
09:10–10:10
2. Key Note Speech
Mr. Richard Youngs, Senior Associate, Democracy and Rule of Law Program,
Carnegie Europe; Civil Society S
­ upport: Do we need to re-think how we cooperate
with civil society?
10:10–10:40
Coffee Break
10:40–12:20
3. Panel Discussion
• Mr. Burkhard Gnärig, Executive Director, International Civil Society Center
• Mr. Bo Forsberg, Secretary General, Diakonia
• Ms. Lena Ingelstam, Director, Department for Partnerships and Innovations,
Sida
• Mr. Gustav Lovén, Social Sustainability Manager, H&M
• Ms. Ida McDonnell, Policy Advisor, OECD
• Ms. Poonam Joshi, Director of London Office, Fund for Global Human Rights
12:20–12:30
4. Introduction to Parallel Sessions
Moderator: Mr. Erik Lysén
12:30–13:30
Lunch Break
13:30–15:00
Parallel Sessions; Challenges in the Cooperation with and Support to
Civil Society
Conclusions from the parallel sessions will be followed up in plenary by the
Moderator.
1. Re-thinking International Civil Society
This session provides an analysis of changes affecting international CSOs and
ICSO strategies to develop and stay relevant.
Moderator: Ms. Pia Stavås-Meier, Deputy Secretary General, Plan Sweden
2. Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
This session explores the Why and the How of Partnerships between Civil Society,
Governments, Private Sector and other Stakeholders.
Moderator: Jakob Lundberg, Head of Development and Policy, We Effect
3. Outreach to new Civil Society Actors v/s developing already existing
sectorial/value-based partnerships
This session explores partnerships within civil society and the possible need to
reach out to new civil society actors v/s developing already existing sectorial- or
value-based partnerships.
Moderator: Mr. Osiel Ibáñez, Head of Production, Selam
4. Civil Society and Political Mobilisation
This session provides an analysis of the re­lationship between civil and political
societies, explores tensions and distrust between civic activists and political parties
but also identifies possibilities for mutual strengthening.
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Gunilla Hallonsten, Acting Director of International Affairs,
Church of Sweden
5. Civil Society in a changing technological Landscape
This session explores the benefits of information and communications
technologies for civil society but also looks at the downsides of online harassment,
digital surveillance etc. The example of targeted femdefenders is highlighted.
Moderator: Mr. Marcin de Kaminski, Policy Specialist, Sida
15:00–15:30
Coffee Break
15:30–17:00
Plenary Session IV
15:30–16:30
1. Reporting Back from the Parallel Sessions
Moderators or Reporters from the Parallel Sessions
16:30–16:45
2. Conclusions
• Ms. Karin Fällman, Senior Policy Specialist, Civil Society Unit, Sida
• Moderator: Mr. Erik Lysén
16:45–17:00
3. Concluding Remarks
• Ms. Charlotta Norrby, Head, Civil Society Cooperation, Sida
• Mr. Stefan Eriksson, Ambassador, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, ­
Government of Sweden
Wednesday, October 14
Parallel Events
09:30–12:00
Focus Seminar hosted by the MFA Sweden: Voices
of African Academics on Development Challenges
in Africa. Dialogue on Regional Perspectives on
­Development in Light of the New Policy Framework
for ­International Development Cooperation
Moderator: Ms. Ursula Berge, Policy Manager,
Union for Professionals
Session Description: In light of the work with
elaborating a new Policy Framework for International
Development Cooperation, the MFA Sweden has invited
the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) to host this seminar.
NAI’s seminar is a part of a broader consultative
process, highlighting African academics’ perspectives
on lessons learned from previous development efforts
and possible solutions to the challenges of the continent.
NAI’s seminar features a panel discussion and
thematically orga­nized video interviews with
prominent African scholars, discussing topics
such as poverty reduction, job creation, building
institutional capacity. The seminar will end with an
open floor discussion with the CSOs.
09:30–09:40
Welcoming
Mr. Pereric Högberg, Head, Africa Department,
the MFA Sweden
09:40–09:50
Introduction on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and on the African development
landscape
Ms. Jenny Nilsson, Director, Africa Groups of Sweden
09:50–11:15
Panel Discussion and thematically organized video
interviews with prominent African scholars
• Mr. Adebayo Olukoshi, Director Africa Region,
International IDEA
• Mr. Graham Philpott, Director, Church Land
Program South Africa
• Mr. Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, Director,
Afrobarometer
• Ms. Sirkku Hellsten, Researcher, Nordic Africa
Institute
Participants: CSOs and selected representatives
from Sida and the MFA Sweden
10:30–10:45
Coffee Break
International Donor
Group Meeting
Separate Agenda
Participants:
International Donor
Group Members
11:15–11:45
Questions & Answers
11:45–12:00
Concluding Remarks, main lessons and observations
Moderator
Participants: CSOs and selected representatives
from Sida and the MFA Sweden
12:00–13:00
Lunch Break
13:00–15:30
Focus Seminar hosted by the MFA Sweden:
Swedish Development Cooperation with Swedish
Civil Society, Consultations on upcoming strategies
under the responsibility of the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs Sweden
International Donor
Group Meeting cont.
Participants:
International Donor
Group Members
International Donor
Group Meeting cont.
Participants:
International Donor
Group Members
13:00–14:00
CSO Strategy Consultation
14:00–14:30
Coffee Break
14:30–15:30
I nformation and Communication Strategy
Consultation
International Donor
Group Meeting cont.
Background documents will be circulated by the
MFA Sweden
Participants:
International Donor
Group Members
Participants: CSOs and selected representatives
from Sida and the MFA Sweden
19:00-21:00
Working Dinner for the International Donor Group
Thursday, October 15
Parallel Events
09:00–15:30
Focus Seminar hosted by Sida’s Civil Society Unit:
Evaluation of CSO Support; What can we learn for
the future?
Host: Ms. Elisabeth Berg Khan, Programme Manager
Specialist, Civil Society Unit, Sida
09:00–10:30
1. The Multi-Year Evaluation of the Swedish CSO
Strategy
International Donor
Group Meeting
Participation in the
Focus Seminar:
­Evaluation of CSO
Support; What can
we learn for the
future?
• Welcome and Introduction: Ms. Charlotta Norrby,
Head, Civil Society Unit, Sida
• Presentation of The Multi-Year Evaluation of the
Swedish CSO Strategy: Mr. Christian Carlbaum,
Sipu; Mr. Jethro Pettit and Ms. Rosemary McGee,
Institute for Development Studies (IDS)
• Reflections from the Project Advisory Group
• Questions and discussion
Participants: Swedish CSOs, Sida, the MFA Sweden,
International Donor Group Members
10:30–11:00
Coffee Break
11:00–12:30
2. Exchange of experiences with the Netherlands
and Norway – Learning and changes ahead;
What can we learn from CSO evaluations?
Moderator: Ms. Eva Christina Nilsson, Secretary
General, Swedish Mission Council
Panellists:
• Mr. Cornelius Hacking, Senior Policy Officer,
Civil Society Division at the MFA, The Netherlands
• Ms. Charlotta Norrby, Head, Civil Society
Cooperation, Sida
3. Closing Remarks for the Plenary Sessions
Mr. Per-Ola Mattsson, Deputy Director, Head,
Section for Methods in Development Cooperation,
Department for Aid Management, the MFA Sweden
Participants: Swedish CSOs, Sida, the MFA Sweden,
International Donor Group Members
12:30–13:30
Lunch Break
International Donor
Group Meeting cont.
Participation in the
Focus Seminar:
Evaluation of CSO
Support; What can
we learn for the
future?
13:30–14:30
4. Parallel Sessions; The presentation of the MultiYear Evaluation of the Swedish CSO Strategy by Sipu
and IDS continues in three parallel presentations of
the evaluation’s country findings:
1. Nicaragua: Mr. Christian Carlbaum, Sipu and
Mr. Jethro Pettit, IDS
Meeting of the
Multi-Stakeholder
Task Team on
CSO Development
Effectiveness
and Enabling
Environment
2. Pakistan: Mr. Hugh Goyder, IDS
Separate Agenda
3. Uganda: Ms. Patta Scott-Villiers and
Ms. Rosemary McGee, IDS
Participants: Task
Team Members
Participants: Swedish CSOs, Sida, the MFA Sweden
14:30–14:45
Coffee Break
14:45–15:30
Parallel Sessions cont.
Meeting of the
Multi-Stakeholder
Task Team on
CSO Development
Effectiveness
and Enabling
Environment cont.
Separate Agenda
Participants: Task
Team Members
19:00-21:00
Working Dinner for the Multi-Stakeholder Task Team on CSO Development
Effectiveness and Enabling Environment
Friday, October 16
Parallel Events
09:00–16:00
Development Forum 2015 (Utvecklingsforum 2015)
Venue: Stockholm City Conference Centre,
Folkets Hus, Barnhusgatan 12-14
(Subway station: T-Centralen)
See separate Program
Meeting of the
Multi-Stakeholder
Task Team on
CSO Development
Effectiveness
and Enabling
Environment cont.
Participants: Task
Team Members
Notes
Stockholm Civil Society Week 2015
Civil society plays a vital role in development; in enabling people to claim
their rights, in promoting rights-based approaches, in shaping policies
and in the provision of services. Yet, we experience a worrying trend
towards shrinking space and resources for civil society, globally. In 2014,
there were serious threats to civic freedoms in at least 96 countries
around the world. Many civil society organizations (CSOs) have faced
increased control and restrictions in relation to financial support as well
as a growing tide of administrative requirements on the funding provided.
At the same time as CSOs are under pressure, new civil society actors
and protests emerge. New forms of organization have taken shape, and
new partnerships are developed. Some are positive for democracy and
inclusive, sustainable development – others are not.
How do we understand these changes and how do we react to them?
How can we reverse the trend of shrinking space, and how can we provide
effective and efficient support to changing civil societies? These crosscutting themes are addressed at Stockholm Civil Society Week 2015.
Stockholm Civil Society Week 2015 contains a series of events aimed
at improving our understanding of and support to civil society. With
hundreds of guests from CSOs, governments, academia and the private
sector we hope to challenge you with different perspectives but also to
link you across and within stakeholder groups. Stockholm Civil Society
Week 2015 is an opportunity to learn from other practitioners and
scholars and to join forces in support of civil society.