Civic Space & Democracy
Cooperation Canada is committed to promoting civil society’s rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, and expression, in-person and online, recognizing that closing civic space affects the quality and effectiveness of development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding. Civil society actors are critical contributors to the 2030 Agenda, the pledge to leave no one behind, and the strengthening of democracy.
However, in over half of the world’s countries, civil society is facing serious restrictions and is exposed to increased surveillance, persecution and even violence. We believe that engagement with civil society should be tailored to respect civil society actors’ diverse range of constituents around the world, including to people on the frontlines of poverty, inequality, conflict, vulnerability and marginalization.
Our Current Efforts
Resilient Societies
Resilient Societies (RS) is an activists-led hub providing support and safe spaces for grassroots networks of human rights defenders, democracy and civil society activists and practitioners from ‘closing’ and ‘closed’ civic spaces.
Related articles
Launching Resilient Societies, a Hub for Activists and Human Rights Defenders in Exile
On November 30th, 2023, a series of events marked the launch of Resilient Societies, an emerging hub for activists and human rights defenders in exile.
Launch of Resilient Societies
At a time when human rights and democracy are under threat in many parts of the world, Cooperation Canada is proud to participate in the launch of Resilient Societies, a new activist-led hub that provides support and creates spaces for human rights and democracy defenders, civil society activists and practitioners worldwide to unite, innovate and advocate.
2023 Meeting of the Civil Society Pillar of the Community of Democracies in Panama
From July 31st to August 1st, the Civil Society Pillar (CSP) of the Community of Democracies (CoD) held its annual meeting in Panama City.
Learning Session on SOGIESC Inclusion in International Cooperation Organizations
Cooperation Canada partnered with Dignity Network Canada to present a virtual learning session on “SOGIESC Inclusion in International Cooperation Organizations” on June 14, 2023
Canada and the Summit for Democracy
In December 2021, US President Joe Biden hosted a Summit for Democracy focussed on the important themes of defence against authoritarianism, fighting corruption, and respect for human rights. On March 29-30 of this year, the second Summit for Democracy was held.