To prevent conflict and sustain peace and democracy, civil society must be able to freely and independently organize itself and perform its duties. However, civil society activism is facing a global pushback.

This interactive event will showcase new research on the topic of shrinking space for civil society, and more specifically on the negative impact of counter-terrorism financing regulations on civil society space. It will highlight how these measures have a disproportionate effect on vulnerable segments within civil society, such as women’s rights organizations.

Speakers

• Jayne Huckerby, Clinical Professor of Law, Director International Human Rights Clinic, Duke University School of Law

• Isabelle Geuskens, Executive Director, Women Peacemakers Program

• Ben Hayes, Fellow, Transnational Institute

• Kay Guinane, Director, Charity & Security Network

• Sangeeta Goswami, Advocacy and Communications Officer, Human Security Collective

Program

• 13.40 - 14.00 Welcome drinks and registration

• 14.00 - 14.05 Opening remarks

• 14.05 - 15.05 Interactive panel discussion, during which the researchers present their latest research findings and promising advocacy avenues

• 15.05 - 15.25 Q&A session

• 15.25 - 15.45 Coffee Break

• 15.45 - 17.35 Parallel thematic group discussions

• 17.35 - 18.00 Networking Drinks

Resources

• Tightening the Purse Strings: What Countering Terrorism Financing Costs Gender Equality and Security, by Women Peacemakers Program & Duke Law International Human Rights Clinic

• Financial Access for US Nonprofits by the Charity & Security Network

• On Shrinking Space: A Framing Paper by the Transnational Institute

• De-risking and non-profits: how do you solve a problem that no-one wants to take responsibility for? by Ben Hayes, Lia van Broekhoven and Vanja Skoric