VIII. Innovations for civic space
In the last several decades, a global trend of shrinking civic space and increasingly sophisticated restrictions on civil society organizations has emerged, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, there has been a rapid increase in youth populations, the rise of social media use and other forms of online communication, as well as and the presence of new societal threats like climate change which has opened up new opportunities and challenges for civil society and youth activists across the world.
In response to this, youth and civil society activists are required to explore new spaces of engagement, create new ways to challenge social conditions and, in many contexts, fight to have their voices heard in society. Civil society must adapt to these challenges, and find innovative ways to create its own space, and to stay relevant in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.
“Innovation” has tended to be understood as focusing primarily on tech solutions, but in the context of civic participation, it is important to recognize that innovation can occur in different ways using multiple different media outlets. Innovation encompasses the creation of new ideas and processes to better harness talent and the development of new understandings of old problems or solutions. We believe that the innovative and transformative power of young women and men will be crucial in creating and sustaining the future of civic space.
Key entry points on this topic include (but are not limited to) the following:
In response to this, youth and civil society activists are required to explore new spaces of engagement, create new ways to challenge social conditions and, in many contexts, fight to have their voices heard in society. Civil society must adapt to these challenges, and find innovative ways to create its own space, and to stay relevant in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.
“Innovation” has tended to be understood as focusing primarily on tech solutions, but in the context of civic participation, it is important to recognize that innovation can occur in different ways using multiple different media outlets. Innovation encompasses the creation of new ideas and processes to better harness talent and the development of new understandings of old problems or solutions. We believe that the innovative and transformative power of young women and men will be crucial in creating and sustaining the future of civic space.
Key entry points on this topic include (but are not limited to) the following:
- What are the experiences of young women on the internet? How is gender translated or targeted in online spaces?
- Who are the future agents of change in civic space?
- What are the new and innovative interventions and tools (from grassroots movements to mass-online campaigns) shaping societies in Asia and the Pacific?
- How can best practices and innovative tools be scaled up and used in new contexts?
- What are the latest trends in new technologies to help open up civic space for youth engagement?
- What trends and emerging issues are shaping how civic space might be understood and used?