Summary Report: CoD Workshop on Building the Resilience of Civil Society

June 27, 2023, Geneva

Governing Council members of the Community of Democracies (CoD) and civil society colleagues were invited to attend the third workshop organized by Canada in its capacity as President of the Governing Council. The event was co-sponsored by the International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law and consisted of a panel discussion on “Building the Resilience of Civil Society.”

Following in-person opening remarks from Canada and virtual remarks from the U.S., the panelists discussed the proliferation of restrictions to the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, civic spaces, and civic freedoms. Panelists also discussed strategies for empowering local civil society organizations to navigate context-specific challenges and the need for greater resilience among governments and civil society organizations (CSO) to address these issues.

Please find the event’s summary report below.