A number of civil society groups are organizing an Indian Civil Society Summit in Bangalore on 25th and 26th of August to mark 60 years of independence. The event hopes to be an open forum for an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of our people and opportunities as we go forward.

On 15 August 2007 India celebrates 60 years of freedom from British Rule. On the one hand, we claim superpower status as a nuclear weapons state and a nearly double digit economic growth. On the other hand, we have the dubious distinction of being at wrong side of the global rankings in maternal mortality, female infanticide and foeticide, deaths due to preventable disease, and other indicators of human development. Progress has been uneven—from developing world class technology and services to having the world’s largest number of poor and illiterate. For many, ‘freedom’ in its true sense is yet to dawn- their struggles continue.

The summit is a celebration of life, survival and resistance and of continuing struggles for freedom against increasing odds. Therefore, the summit will be a space for dissent and voicing issues, a space for celebrating difference and a space for ongoing freedom struggles. It will situate Civil Society and is its role within this context.

The summit is to bring together those who work for a strong, forward looking, people-centric India, to share experiences, discuss challenges and opportunities and create a broad vision together. It brings together those from diverse spheres for a synergy of ideas. It hopes to build relationships across boundaries, and be a platform for people-centric nation building.

Objectives

1. Take stock of the civil society SWOT; identify key challenges and priority areas of cooperation.

2. Root civil society within Indian polity.

3. Create a platform for interaction of different stakeholders (network).

4. Exposure to cutting edge issues: thinking globally, acting locally.

5. A Space for diversity, dissent and continuing freedom struggles.

Some considerations

There will be a special effort to ensure participation of the excluded.

1.. Ensure more participation of women.

2. Diversity of participation needs to be ensured, specially from un(der) represented groups and geographical areas like the North East and Kashmir.

3. Wherever possible the panels will be all-women or at least majority women/Dalits and Adivasis.

Programme
Friday, 24 August 2007
Pre-Summit consultation: Challenges and trends in Interational Donor Support

0900: Consultation Inaugural

0930-1600: Upto 5 One hour panels of 5 donors each. (10+5x5+20 minutes interaction)

These will need to be arranged into panels depending on confirmations

1730 Summit Inaugural:  (Performance by Bhooshakti Dalilta Mahilla Kalathanda)

Saturday, 25 August 2007:
0900: Challenge: Urbanisation

1000: Power as participation

1200: Diversity and Citizens Agendas

1400: Challenge: Putting People in to partnerships

1500: Challenge: Wealth Creation

1600: Challenge: Media
1700: Challenge: Earth friendly life

Sunday, 26 August 2007:
Theme: Challenges in the 21st century
09:00 Challenge: International Funding

1100: Challenge: Corporate support of Civil Society Initiatives

1400: Challenge: Democracy and Governance: inclusion and justice

1530: Challenge: Beyond Boundaries, a People's SAARC
1730: Valedictory: 

(For honouring present day freedom fighters, we would have seniors (Nagari Babaiah) recognising CKJanu, Manimegalai etc (a Shawl, Plaque, Garland)

60 Martyrs would be recognised by name and a single toll of the bell each (SGNiyogi, Murugan etc)

Deadlines

-a. Articles for souvenir: 20 July 2007

-b. Delegates registration: 1 August 2007 .

-c. Stall booking: 1 August 2007 .

Each speaker will have 3-5 minutes for introductory comments, which will be followed by about 30 minutes of audience interaction. They will stay after the panel discussion so that delegates can interact with them, and draw up a concrete plan of action. The 1000 strong audience will be those who have experience and most would be familiar with the problems and issues. Therefore the presentation could focus on what to do now. The:

* Challenges

* Solutions

* Action and

* Positive Agenda.

If you think it is a great idea do let us know how would like to be part of this effort.

Please register, and ask others to register by 1 August 2007.

Bangalore: Anita (OpenSpace) m: 94.4848.4797 e: anita@openspace.org.in

Pradeep (Context India) m: 94.4880.2706  e: pradeepesteves@vsnl.net

Rex (Sangama) m: 99.4523.1491; e: sangama@sangama.org

Maggie (Suraksha) m: 94448410557 e: maggievj@gmail.com

Delhi: Meenu (iCONGO, Delhi) m: 98.9109.0853  e: meenuchopra177@gmail.com

        Jerry  (iCONGO) m: 98.7340.0262 e: jeroninio@gmail.com

Mumbai: Meghna (iCONGO) m: 98.2052.4270 e: meghna.at.icongo@gmail.com

        Yashu (iCONGO) m: 98.1957.5754 e: yashu.chaudhary@gmail.com

Tumkur: Jothi (REDS) m:98.8018.4667  e: jothiraj12@rediffmail.com

Organised by: Context India, iCONGO, OpenSpace,  REDS, Sangama, Suraksha, SRIHRO;

Knowledge partner: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)I