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The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) has called for applications for Alternatives in Governance and Sustainable Human Development.
For many years, the Study Week on Sustainable Human Development has gathered young researchers and campaigners of the Arab region to debate, learn, strategize, and exchange experiences on key issues for people and the planet. Now the Arab NGO Network for Development, Third World Network, Social Watch, Global Policy Forum, and the Asfari Institute of the American University in Beirut (AUB), are joining forces to build on their successful previous collaborations and make it a Global South event.
The 2024 Global South Study Week on “Alternatives in Governance and Sustainable Human Development” will be held during the first quarter of 2024 (date and location TBC).
The organizers will cover travel and accommodation costs of the participation. The meeting will have simultaneous translation into Arabic, English, and French, but some basic fluency in English is desirable for participants to be able to benefit from the interactions with each other.
The structural challenges faced for achieving sustainable human development cannot be solved at local, national, or regional levels only. The international community and all development actors are mutually accountable for achieving sustainable human development and addressing the root causes of these challenges. Common but differentiated responsibilities of all stakeholders should be recognized and efforts to raise awareness in this regard should be systematic including building critical mass, developing research in policy alternatives, monitoring, and advocacy integrating solidarity and leaving no one behind approaches for policy reform. Thus, the role of civil society as a key development actor is undeniable. Despite challenges with an enabling environment, as well as access to information and resources, Global South civil society groups have been engaged in several initiatives on alternative discourse. Their demands and calls for reform and changing the rhetoric is clear and should be further echoed.
The program aims at:
- Enhancing the positions of civil society on structural challenges of sustainable human development by building capacities and raising awareness on key development issues;
- Establishing a working group of civil society activists from various Global South countries cooperating with the organizing agencies on studying the different layers of the developmental process;
- Better informed engagement in advocacy at regional and international levels on development issues and strengthened mobilization, networking, and solidarity among Global South civil society.
Eligibility Criteria
- Under 40 years old
- Coming from a Global South Country
- Holding a relevant university degree in development studies, economics, international relations, human rights, political studies, social sciences
- Endorsed by a local/national or regional NGO (an endorsement letter will be requested)
- Engaged in local/national or regional coordination/coalition/advocacy/campaign work in one or more of the topics listed: development, multilateralism, global governance, debt, trade and investment, tax, social justice, climate change, biodiversity, gender justice
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the Selection Committee Representatives
