history of international
civil society week
The first World Assembly was held in Mexico City, bringing together over 500 delegates including prominent figures like David Rockefeller, Rigoberta Menchú, and President Ernesto Zedillo. Anabel Cruz, one of CIVICUS’s founding members, described it as “powerful, almost emotional… it set the tone for CIVICUS as a global platform rooted in solidarity.”
Subsequent editions took place in Budapest and Vancouver, sharpening the focus on enabling environments for civil society, civic visibility, and youth inclusion.
At the World Assembly in Gaborone, CIVICUS launched the Nelson Mandela–Graça Machel Innovation Awards, which remain a core part of the ICSW legacy today.
A series of annual gatherings in Glasgow and later Montreal culminated in the Montreal Declaration, outlining 15 civil society commitments for the future.
birth of icsw:
a new approach
In 2014, the first International Civil Society Week was launched in Johannesburg, South Africa—marking a significant shift in how CIVICUS convened its community. This transition was driven by the desire to decentralize power, co-create convenings with regional partners, and explore a pooled resourcing model that moved away from costly, donor-led formats.
Amy Taylor, a former CIVICUS team member involved in this transition,explained:
“Instead of relying on large, expensive conferences funded by government donors, we started experimenting with a pooled resourcing model. That led to ICSW in Johannesburg; a new way of hosting global gatherings in locations more relevant to civic action.”
This evolution reflected a broader
institutional shift led by then Secretary-General Kumi Naidoo, who had earlier relocated CIVICUS’s Secretariat from Washington, D.C. to Johannesburg toanchor the organisation closer to the Global South. As Kumi noted:
“ICSW became our megaphone where civil society from the Global South and North st ood shoulder to shoulder.”
ICSW Milestones
11111
Bogotá, Colombia
Held during a historic moment in Colombia’s peace process, ICSW 2016 brought together over 800 participants from 102 countries, focusing on non- violent social change and civic action for peace.
Suva, Fiji
Under the theme "Our Planet. Our Struggles. Our Future.", this edition highlighted climate justice and launched the Declaration on Climate-Induced Displacement, amplifying voices from Pacific civil society.
Belgrade, Serbia
Centered on the theme "The Power of Togetherness", ICSW 2019 hosted over 700 participants from 90+ countries, exploring civic resilience, grassroots mobilisation, and cross-regional solidarity.
Virtual Edition
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ICSW transformed into a year-long digital convening. Through seven thematic online gatherings, civil society actors connected globally to engage on issues such as social justice, digital civic space, community care, and narrative power.
What’s Next:
ICSW 2025
We’re excited to bring the next chapter of ICSW to Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2025, co-hosted with our regional partner, the Asia Democracy Network.
This edition will carry forward our mission to convene, connect, and catalyse action across borders—building power in solidarity and resistance.
Teodora Zahirović,
Civic Initiatives, Serbia
ICSW 2019 was so much more than just an event. It was a unique space where people from all over came together, united by shared values and a common drive for change. Being part of it showed me how powerful togetherness really is. When you connect with others who care deeply, listen openly and dream boldly, you don’t just gain new friends and ideas, you find a community that’s working towards the same goal, no matter where we are in the world. And that sense of connection is priceless.
Akmal Ali
Co-Coordinator, ICSW 2017 (PIANGO)
For me, ICSW has always been a celebration of the power of people. It reminds us why we are activists, organisers, community leaders, and defenders of human rights. At ICSW, you’re not just attending a conference. You’re coming home to a global family that believes in the same universal values: freedom of expression, association, and equality.
When ICSW came to the Pacific in 2017, it was a transformative moment…
Anabel Cruz ,
Former Board Chair of CIVICUS
Celebrating 30 years of the World Civil Society Gathering!
The first CIVICUS World Assembly was held in Mexico in 1995. So, in 2025 we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the most empowering and inspiring global event for civil society. It changed its name to the International Civil Society Week (ICSW) at some moment, and it has always been a celebration of the power of people!
Soo Suh ,
Senior Program Manager, Asia Democracy Network
International Civil Society Week (ICSW) stands as a vital celebration of civil society, providing an essential forum for advocates to engage in dialogue, strategize collective action, and, crucially, build camaraderie. The fight for freedom can often be an isolating one, but ICSW offers a unique opportunity for us battling these lonely struggles to find solace, exchange best practices, and realize the shared nature of our challenges. It is through these collaborative spaces that we discover the most effective paths forward for collective action. Each ICSW I’ve attended has left me more energized and empowered to continue my work.
