We are pleased to announce that the CIVICUS Strategic Planning Process is off to a good start. The CIVICUS Board and staff worked jointly to finalise the approach and identify key external stakeholders. We will also perform an internal scan to get a clearer sense of our strengths and shortcomings and to refresh and reinvigorate our shared understanding of CIVICUS core values, vision and mission. Many of you will have been contacted already with a request for your input, but if you have not and would like to be included, connect to www.civicus.org/new/content/deskofthesecretarygeneral46.htm for more information and access to the CIVICUS blog.

 

We are also pleased to confirm that over the past few years, CIVICUS has moved from having four US Foundations providing generous core support to more than thirty donors, particularly from Europe and the United States but also including Asia and Africa. In income terms, this has meant moving from an annual budget of $800,000 to more than $3,500 000 for core and program costs.   

 

The elections process for the new Board of Directors is well underway and we are encouraging all members and potential members to ensure that they are in good standing to vote in the elections. The deadline for nominations was (20 November); we received 107 nominations in total, from which 26 candidates will be selected by the Nominations Committee for the final ballot, to be circulated to members by December 1, 2006.

 

I am also pleased to confirm that the Secretary General, who has completed 2 successful four-years terms, has agreed to stay on at CIVICUS to ensure that the transition to the new board goes smoothly, to ensure that the strategic planning processes is successful, and to establish a new senior management team at CIVICUS. 

 

The focus theme of the next Civicus World Assembly to be held in Glasgow from May 23-27, 2007 will be promoting accountability in all sectors of civil society and its stakeholders. This includes Civil Society Organisations, Government and Intergovernmental Organisations, Media, Business and Grant Makers.

 

We look forward to seeing you in Glasgow.

 

Aruna Rao

Chair, CIVICUS Board of Directors