Along with six other close colleagues from the Collaborative Strategies Network (www.tocollaborate.org), I am helping to establish a new Civil Society Forum, with a launch scheduled for Wednesday 20th April.
Civil Society faces profound organisational and leadership challenges as we enter a new era. Government does not and cannot have all the answers. What role can Civil Society play to close the gap in the changing relationship between state and citizen?
Building a stronger civil society requires us to tackle complex challenges together, and the Civil Society Forum is being set up to enable leaders to engage with these practical challenges and make the most of the opportunities.
What we will achieve on the day
This will be the key event in building the Civil Society Forum, providing an open and supportive space for strategic thinking and individual and joint action.
It will tap a rich range of experience and expertise, and belong to all who participate in it.
You will develop your knowledge, know-how and networks, build relationships and discuss practical ways in which closer working can achieve a more forward-looking and stronger civil society. Your understanding of what civil society can achieve by working collaboratively will be stretched by different challenges to accepted constraints and conventional thinking.
Programme for the Day1. Explore the challenges in building civil society , and ways in which we can work together to address them. This will include short sessions from speakers with government, business and civil society experience, as well as group discussion.
2. Develop the role and remit of the Forum , and take forward the future programme for the CSF 3. Consider the policy context for Civil Society, and discuss the issues, options and solutions. |
Our vision
Our vision is to be a catalyst for individual and joint action. Areas for action include:
- Break down silos, and build bridges
- Find and appreciate what is being done well and exchange transferable insight.
- Learn together on what constitutes good practice in collaborative leadership; negotiation and influence; advocacy and engagement; commissioning, funding and service delivery
- Support in-depth strategic dialogue between government and other players
- Understand and enhance services as experienced by the service recipients
- Lever and develop informal networks for greater effectiveness
We have a strong focus on stimulating effective collaboration and organisation to increase collective impact on society.
Membership
The Forum will be open to partnership with existing organisations and networks across sectors. We invite proposals from individuals and organisations who might be involved, suggesting how we might work more closely together.
The founders of the Civil Society Forum are:
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Lucian J. Hudson |
Chairman, Collaborative Strategies Network. Managing Director, Cornerstone Global Associates. Previously Director of Communication, FCO. |
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Professor John Carlisle |
Managing Director, Cooperation Works, a leading authority on collaboration and organisational transformation, whose work has been cited and endorsed by HBR. Previously trainer on Top Government Development Programme. |
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Mark Napier |
Managing Director, Centre for Public Innovation. |
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James Plunket |
Managing Director, Social Investment Group. Member of the Philanthropy Advice Steering Group. |
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Aidan Ward |
Partner, Fractal, representing ScIO, systems practitioners |
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Esther Ridsdale |
Managing Director, CSPI (Collaborative Strategy, Planning & Improvement) Associates. Recently Collaborative Working Officer at the NCVO |
Details
This event will benefit delegates from: voluntary and community sector organisations, local and national government, health and social care organisations, social enterprises, professional bodies, think tanks, and those with an interest or supporting role in civil society.
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Programme |
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1.30 – 2.00 pm |
Registration & Networking reception |
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2.00 – 5.30 pm |
Main event |
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5.30 |
Reception and optional Dinner |
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8.00 pm |
Close |
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Cost: |
??35 per head plus VAT Dinner, payable on the day. Price will be confirmed shortly. |
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Additionally:
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Options for a preliminary morning workshop are being considered to progress an aspect of the strategic thinking. Details to be confirmed. Comment provided by you on particular areas of interest will be considered in planning this. (There may be a small additional charge) |
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Registration closes: |
4 pm Thursday 14th April |
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Location: |
Central London TBA |
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Contacts:
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esther.ridsdale@tocollaborate.org / 0780 243 0246 |