Global civil society advocacy alliances and networks in the changing terrain of global governance and development : a critical inquiry into the politics and dynamics in crafting and operations of the Global Action against Poverty (GCAP)
Date
2009-02-13T07:06:21Z
Authors
Mati, Jacob Mwathi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The last few decades have witnessed the emergence of global civil society advocacy
networks as major players in global governance. This research aimed at using a case
study of GCAP in critically analysing the politics and dynamics of crafting a global civil
society advocacy alliance. Specifically, the study aimed to: a) identify, analyse, and
document GCAP’s experiences, strategies and challenges in trans-national networking
and advocacy; b) generate knowledge on recent developments in global civil society
networking and advocacy.
The study analyses the study phenomenon using two central features of GCAP:
networking and advocacy. Chapter one attempts to give a background of the study and
also discusses the methods used. Chapter two lays the theoretical framework and
operationalises the concepts explored in the study. The report argues that alliances are
very different from ‘normal’ forms of organisations because they are made up of diverse
forms of organisations, coming together voluntarily to achieve a specific purpose. They
are therefore, by their very nature, complex, unstable, and difficult to co-ordinate.
Chapters Three and Four look at such intricacies and complexities of crafting and
operations of global advocacy networks. I conclude this research arguing that despite
challenges in alliances building and operations, global civil society organisations will still
need to network if they are to remain relevant and effective in current global governance
context. It is only in their unity that they will be able to confront their common
challenges.
Description
Keywords
Global civil society, Global governance, Poverty