Journalism and civic space: International Civil Society Week Week 2025 keynote address

From 1-5 November, nearly 1000 activists from around the world will meet in Bangkok, Thailand for International Civil Society Week 2025(ICSW). The world's pre-eminent civil society gathering is co-hosted by global civil society alliance CIVICUS and the Asia Democracy Network (ADN). ICSW has an early 30-year history following its 1995 debut in Mexico City.

On Monday 3 November, CIVICUS and ADN will host journalists from around the world to a reception.
The session will feature a keynote address by Yasir Khan, editor in chief of Thomson Reuters Foundation, followed by remarks from global civil society leaders in a panel moderated by CIVICUS Secretary General Mandeep Tiwana.

ICSW 2025 takes place at a time when civic freedoms are being curtailed in most countries, with civil society under severe attack in 116 of 198 countries and territories and significant attacks on freedoms of expression, association and assembly. To highlight the vital role of free, independent journalism in safeguarding civic space, ICSW launched a journalism fellowship bringing journalists from 16 countries to Bangkok.

At ICSW, topics for discussion range from climate justice to disability rights to artificial intelligence to protecting democracy, protest and freedom of expression.
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Join us to hear from:
Yasir Khan, editor in chief, Context by Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Amitabh Behar, executive director, Oxfam International.
Willeke vanRijn, CEO, Resource Alliance.

Sonia Kwami, head of campaigning and organizing, 350.org.

Moderator: Mandeep Tiwana, CIVICUS secretary general. 

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To RSVP,please email media@civicus.org with"FCCT RSVP" in the subject line.

Journalists seeking accreditation for the week's events can email media@civicus.org with "ICSWAccreditation" in the subject line.