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How do we strengthen the vital role of civil society within democracy?
Civil society plays a vital role in any healthy democracy. It offers a space in which people can come together to share interests and common goals; and also a means to challenge the failings of current systems and thus improve society.
Here we explore the opportunities for strengthening civil society around the world, and the barriers to doing so. We look at what needs to be done in terms of policy and practice to ensure that civil society can realise its full potential. Subscribe to the RSS feed for Civil Society Matters
Policy Manager Daniel Ferrell-Schweppenstedde sets out how the pandemic could lead to renewed international interest in civil society and protecting civic space.
The most notable point of the speech for the sector was the explicit mention of the Charities Bill, which Government had already committed to introducing when Parliamentary time allowed.
CAF has just responded to the Charity Commission’s consultation on its revised guidance for charities and their trustees about adopting a responsible (or ‘ethical’) approach to investing. This comes against a backdrop of increasing demand from consumers for investments that meet social and environmental, as well as financial, criteria.
Some take the view that the only legitimate function of charities is provide services that address the symptoms of society’s problems. This view excludes advocacy work that attempts to challenge the root causes which may create or exacerbate those problems in the first place.
Brexit has clearly changed the policy landscape but these shifts also bring new opportunities to shape future thinking and ensure that civil society is taken into account.
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