International campaigns and movements
Recent years have seen a growth in global movements and new forms of participation around a common cause but across national boundaries. Global concerns such as international aid, fair-trade and climate change have increasingly mobilised the public as the high level of support for the Make Poverty History campaign demonstrated. This has been greatly facilitated by increased use of the internet.
What are the implications?
- Connections between local actions and global movements may provide opportunities for people to participate at different levels.
- Greater connectedness facilitated by the internet may increase individual giving.
- The ease of which international campaigns can be undertaken may further increase the prominence of single issue politics.
- Increasingly powerful widespread campaigns may challenge the power of global institutions.
Moving forward
Global networks are increasingly being used to strengthen campaigns of all levels and also to share knowledge.
- Are there organisations in other countries operating in similar environments that you could learn from?
- Some institutions are harder to influence than others, could working in collaboration with others increase your effectiveness?
As internet becomes the main medium for global communication, the extent of your organisation’s relationship with other global networks is likely to be dependent on your ability to engage with ICT.
- What training can you put in place to ensure your staff are fully ICT literate?
Global initiatives require good vertical and horizontal links, but also constant attention to internal forms of governance.
- Are your organisation’s internal processes sufficiently accountable, transparent and participatory?
- If globalisation is considered by government to restrict their freedom to address inequality, which campaigning strategies will be most effective for social justice organisations?
Want to know more?
Published by: ESRC – a research council for social and economic issues.
Date: 2007
Format: PDF
What is it? This booklet looks at the role of communication technologies in international engagement and mobilisation and looks at the implications for civil society organisations and other activists in the light of changing governance structures.
How useful is this? The booklet provides a useful outline of the role of communication technologies and international campaigns. It explores how the links between local and global can form effective social movements for campaigning, advocacy and giving. Key ideas include: that social movements are assisted by a better understanding of the inter-relationships between the different forms of power; what some of the challenges are in efforts to achieve global engagement; and the realities of progress towards global citizenship.
Other comments:
Contentious citizens: Civil society’s role in campaigning for social change
Published by: Carnegie UK Trust and The Young Foundation – a centre for social innovation
Date: 2007
Format: PDF
What is it? A report providing analysis and historical overview of the campaigning landscape with particular reference to the challenges and opportunities associated with campaigning in a network age.
How useful is this? This is an in-depth report including detailed analysis as well as making recommendations. Chapters 3 and 4 are particularly relevant to the international campaigns and movements driver. Chapter 3, looks at campaigning in the twenty-first century and includes the growth of international campaigns and local action as one of 4 main areas of campaigning (3.5) as well as an anlysis of MakePovertyHistory. Chapter 4 looks at the future of campaigning, examining three scenarios unfolding today.
Other comments:
Strengthening Global Civil Society
Published by: IPPR – a left of centre think tank
Date: 2006
Format: PDF
What is it? A paper following a high profile event, exploring questions around global civil society and how it should be strengthened.
How useful is this? Although this looks at global civil society broadly it includesexamples of where global civil society groups have been a force for progressive social change, whilst pointing out that their role should not be overstated and that global civil society is not inherently progressive. The paper looks at ways to strengthen global civil society including: creating a more level playing field for the global south; supporting free media and access to information; making global civil society more accountable and transparent; and establishing a new relationship with global institutions.
Other comments:
Discuss
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