icsw 2025
programme

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International Civil Society Week (ICSW) will take place from 1 to 5 November 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, co-organised by the CIVICUS global civil society alliance and the Asia Democracy Network. Its theme, ‘Celebrating citizen action: reimagining democracy, rights, and inclusion for today’s world’, pays tribute to civil society activists, groups and movements that have remained resilient amid conservative and authoritarian backlash, holding the line and even achieving progress in claiming rights. As documented by the CIVICUS Monitor, our online tool tracking civic space conditions around the world, civic freedoms are being curtailed in a majority of countries, with severe attacks on civil society in 116 of 198 countries. 

 

The programme is structured into eight distinct, yet interconnected, tracks that align with the overarching theme, inviting participants to reimagine how to champion democracy, human rights and inclusion by mobilising new frontiers and engaging a wider range of global citizens. The sessions are designed in various formats including workshops, live demonstrations, roundtables and panel discussions, to foster an environment of collaboration and learning. In addition to the main sessions, the in-person experience in Bangkok will be enhanced by on-site exhibits in various formats, and the main event will be accompanied by a wide array of events held locally around the world as well as virtual events aimed at broadening participation. 

Session Tracks

Each of the programme tracks addresses a critical aspect of civil society and citizen action. These tracks are designed to be interlinked, demonstrating how different areas of work contribute to the central theme of reimagining democracy.
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Democracy and civic space: This track focuses on strategies for democratic defence and resistance against authoritarianism. Sessions include topics such as protecting peaceful assembly, countering foreign agent laws, and using participatory tools to monitor and strengthen civic space. 
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Digital rights, AI and technology: This track explores the intersections of digital technology, human rights and civic space. It features sessions on digital resistance tactics against censorship, surveillance and blackouts, using civic tech for justice and democracy, and addressing the impact of AI on democratic rights. 
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Civil society futures: resourcing, accountability and sustainability: This track provides a forward-looking perspective on civil society, with a focus on resourcing and accountability. Sessions will discuss alternative funding models such as crowdfunding, innovative strategies for civil society resourcing in times of crisis, and ways to build trust and legitimacy for informal civil society groups. 
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Gender justice, marginalised identities and intersectional inclusion: This track addresses issues of gender, sexuality, disability, class and migration through an intersectional lens. It includes sessions on feminist leadership, defending LGBTQI+ rights in hostile environments, and using technology to combat gender-based violence. 
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Youth, intergenerational movements and civic futures: This track is dedicated to youth engagement, civic learning and the role of young leaders in shaping democratic futures. Sessions will focus on youth-led initiatives to influence policymaking, intergenerational strategies for defending civic space, and empowering youth activists in repressive contexts. 
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Arts, storytelling and creative resistance: This track explores artivism and creative tactics to defend human rights, promote peace and inspire democratic change. It includes sessions on using art to reclaim public spaces, using community media and mobile storytelling to expand civic space, and multiple collaborative workshops, including on zine-making and collage storytelling. 
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Care, self-care and collective resilience: This track emphasises care as a political strategy for the well-being of activists and communities. Sessions will address collective care, compassionate communication and using creative expression such as theatre and storytelling for healing and regeneration. 
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Global solidarity and movement-building: This track focuses on building cross-regional alliances, coalitions and joint actions to strengthen civic action. Topics include building transnational solidarity in times of crisis, lessons from diaspora mobilisation, and creating local change networks. 

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Speakers

Amitabh Behar

Oxfam International

Anabel Cruz

Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo (ICD)

Mads Christensen

Executive Director, Greenpeace International

Naila Farouky

CEO - Arab Foundations Forum

Prof. Pete Fussey

Professor and Head of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Southampton

Lysa John

Executive Director, Atlantic Institute, Oxford

Arthur Larok

Secretary General, Action Aid International

Patricia Lerner

Senior Advisor, Greenpeace International

Dr. Daragh Murray

Reader- International Law and Human Rights, Queen Mary University of London

Willeke van Rijn

CEO | The Resource Alliance

Gina Romero

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association

Ingrid Srinath

Director, Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy, Ashoka University

Yasir Khan

Editor-in-Chief, Thomson Reuters Foundation

This year’s
theme is
“Celebrating
citizen action:

Reimagining democracy, rights, and inclusion for today’s world”, and the programme will feature several sub-tracks dedicated to key issues including democracy, human rights, inclusion, artivism, resourcing, and more.
Together, we’re building a space that reflects the power and diversity of civil society in the region and worldwide.

Stay tuned – we’ll be sharing updates on sessions, speakers, and activities very soon.




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