In November 2025, International Civil Society Week in Bangkok brought together over a thousand activists and movement-builders from more than 80 countries, all driven by a shared conviction: another world is possible, and civil society is not merely reacting to global crises but actively reshaping our collective future.

“The future isn’t something that just happens to us; it is something that we shape, with what we do every day.” explained Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General, CIVICUS

ICSW was more than an event; it was a living demonstration of solidarity in motion — a space where movements and organizations, policy thinkers and grassroots leaders, all met on equal ground.

Cathryn Archibald, in her closing remarks at ICSW, captured the moment beautifully: “I leave with a full mind… and a full heart.”

The following takeaways, from the Cooperation Canada delegation at ICSW, offer a glimpse into the conversations, reflections and moments that shaped our time in Bangkok — and the energy we carry into the inaugural Ottawa Civic Space Summit in April.

David Panetta, Senior Program Manager, Cooperation Canada

First, Some Perspective

“These are difficult times for civil society organizations. But I ask you — when has it been easy? Civil society is resilient,” recognized Ingrid Srinath ​in the opening plenary. Quoting Loretta Ross: “they – the people opposed to human rights – opposed to ending poverty, addressing racism or accepting women’s rights to control their bodies – think they’re fighting the human rights movement. But I believe they’re wrong. They’re fighting truth, history and evidence. More importantly, they’re fighting time. Our opponents are simply pimples on the ass of time.”

Strategic Foresight

Drawing from the Global Cooperation Futures Initiative,  Andy Ouédraogo and Guillermo Correa demonstrated how civil society organizations can move beyond reactive strategies and use strategic foresight to build resilience and navigate an increasingly uncertain world.

Human Right Defenders in Exile

As repression forces activists into exile, civic advocacy doesn’t end – it adapts. Carolina Barrero and Maiwand Rahyab shared their personal journeys – from Cuba to Spain, and from Afghanistan to Canada through Turkey and Georgia. Their stories highlight the resilience of exiled human rights defenders who continue to organize across borders despite surveillance, intimidation and transnational repression.

Artivism

“Art is more than decorative — it is the heartbeat of change. Art is a dialogue starter…art can transform public space into civic space. We want art as the centrepiece of advocacy. Let art lead every campaign, not follow.” said Suleiman Hedayat, from ArtLords

“Social and behaviour change campaigns based in rationality attack the surface level problem. Art goes deeper…into our worldviews. Art can identify and challenge the myths at the root of any issue — in a way that rationality, alone, cannot,” explained Amnesty International activists from Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Maiwand Rahyab, CEO, Resilient Societies

Bridging the Global North–South Divide

ICSW was deeply grounded in grassroots energy, global-majority voices and authentic solidarity, in contrast to the more established, theoretical and Global North–centric tone of other spaces.

This contrast highlights how the Ottawa Civic Space Summit can serve as a bridge.  A space where both policy and practice, theory and lived experience, North and South, could come together in meaningful conversation. In designing the Ottawa Civic Space Summit, we have been intentional in ensuring that the content and composition of the summit reflect the diversity of the issues, opportunities and actors from of the global ecosystem.

Movements vs. Professionalized Organizations

At ICSW, there was a growing recognition of the tension between social movements and the professionalized NGO sector. Many participants spoke about how our sector, in trying to sustain organizations, has sometimes lost focus on sustaining causes.

Canada’s Emerging Global Role

There is a growing sense that Canada can and should step up as a global leader in protecting civic space and democracy, especially as the U.S. retreats from this space. Many participants at ICSW expressed confidence in Canada’s potential to champion a more inclusive, values-driven and partnership-based approach to defending democracy globally.

Rano Mansurova, Country Representative, Acted Canada

Mission Drift

As ODA declines, many CSOs are exploring enterprise models as a source of financing. But there are risks: managing a social enterprise may shift the focus away from their core mission of defending human rights.

Democracy Through Local Voices

ICSW showcased grassroots movements that are defending human rights across the globe. This was a powerful reminder that lasting impact comes from supporting community-led efforts, rather than speaking for them. At the Ottawa Civic Space Summit, let’s create space for people to tell their own stories.

Terminology—Words Matter

In Canada, civil society is often defined broadly to include a wide range of non-profit organizations, which contrasts with the narrower focus on human rights defenders that I observed at ICSW; there is need to rethink how we include and empower diverse voices, especially at platforms like the Ottawa Civic Space Summit.

Victoria Vanetta, Director of Operations, Argentine Network for International Cooperation (RACI)

Human Connection

Meeting colleagues and partners in person strengthened trust; while hearing inspiring, and sometimes heartbreaking stories, reignited my sense of purpose.

The Long View

ICSW reaffirmed the importance of solidarity, collective action, inclusion and persistence — principles that are grounding during these challenging times.

Vibya Natana, Attaché for Economic Development & Executive Affairs, Organization for Economic Development and Diplomacy (OEDD)

Connection

Prioritizing connection remains a reflection of and compass back to our shared humanity.

Civic Action Begins at Home

Tell the story of localized action in a manner that highlights its power as a key driver of impact.

Measuring Impact

Design with impact, growth and sustainability beyond institutional metrics.

Sacha Bunting, Institutional Partnerships and Programs Manager, Compassion Canada

Communications

Effective communications with regards to complex issues requires a clear identification and articulation of 1) the systemic problem at the root of the issue (the structural factors that perpetuate the problem),  2) the myths or misconceptions that obscure understanding or misrepresent the issue and 3) the surface-level symptoms that are most visible to donors and the public (what they see without a deeper context).

We must also reframe human rights, inequality, gender dynamics, climate change and conflict in ways that reveal their interconnectedness and systemic nature; and develop compelling narratives that not only expose the problem but also offer — through diverse mediums — hopeful, actionable alternatives.

Localization Through Multi-level Interventions

Multi-level interventions — across global, regional, national and community partners — can build capacity and foster trust across levels. Localization through multi-level interventions means recognizing the unique roles and strengths at each level and ensuring that our efforts are not only inclusive but also responsive to local contexts.

Daniela Salcedo, South-Western Ontario Animator, Development and Peace

Authenticity

When we speak of global solidarity, we must ask ourselves: who is the system really serving? Are we nurturing a culture of true democracy and shared humanity, or simply chasing the trend of the moment?

Education

Education is the most powerful tool to shift power. It can be a force for decolonizing the imagination and awakening new possibilities. Adequate funding for education is vital to cultivate a culture and a narrative of civic participation, democratic freedoms and domestic philanthropy.

Carolina Barrero, Executive Director, Ciudadanía y Libertad

Interconnectedness of Civic Space, Economic Growth and Sustainability

Mihajlo Matković’s reflections on how societies with stronger civil and political participation achieve higher levels of economic growth, peace and sustainability deeply resonated with our organization’s mission. At Ciudadanía y Libertad, we share the conviction that strengthening democratic culture empowers citizens to become informed, active agents capable of transforming their own realities.

Misinformation

Misinformation and polarization are mechanisms that colonize the public imagination and erode social trust. ICSW reinforced the urgency of developing new strategies to counter these threats and to safeguard civic space through truth, transparency and collective resilience.

Connection

The event fostered meaningful connections across regions and cultures. Engaging directly with peers from diverse backgrounds was a strong reminder that democracy-building is ultimately a human endeavor rooted in shared experiences and mutual learning. These new relationships open possibilities for exchange, mutual support and collaboration.

From Bangkok to Ottawa…and Onward

International Civil Society Week 2025 reminded us that civic space is not a static concept — it is a living ecosystem shaped by courage, imagination and collaboration across borders.

From journalists to exiled human rights defenders, from calls to re-centre local voices to the revitalizing power of art, the lessons from ICSW 2025 point toward one truth: civil society endures not by accident, but by intentional, collective renewal.

That renewal continues. Join us at the Ottawa Civic Space Summit, on April 21-23.

Share This Article

Other articles you might like