Civil Society

Civil Society

The collection of nonprofits, educational institutions, cultural groups, nongovernmental organizations, and associations that make up civil society are an important feature of healthy democratic societies. Lying outside the purview of political and business entities, these groups provide valuable space for social engagement, education, creativity, and advocacy that are free from overt economic or political influence.

Hard political realities threaten Ukraine’s soft power ambitions

UkraineAlert Feb 11, 2025

How Ukraine’s shadow army fights back against the Russian occupation

By Omar Ashour

Ukraine’s resistance movement has evolved significantly in the eleven years since the onset of Russian military aggression, with a dramatic escalation following the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, writes Omar Ashour.
Civil Society Conflict
Hard political realities threaten Ukraine’s soft power ambitions

MENASource Jan 10, 2025

To help build the new Syria, the US needs to better understand the Kurds and Arabs of the northeast

By Ömer Özkizilcik

Washington should take note of the complexities in the region and not be bound by the past. The security of the entire region is at stake.
Civil Society Democratic Transitions
Hard political realities threaten Ukraine’s soft power ambitions

IranSource Jan 6, 2025

Blinded Iranian activist Elaheh Tavakolian: ‘We lost our eyes on this path. Let us not lose sight of our goal’

By Holly Dagres

Holly Dagres sits down with blinded Iranian activist Elahe Tavakolian to share her story and discuss the situation in Iran and what the West needs to do.
Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

Content

UkraineAlert

Jul 29, 2020

Hard political realities threaten Ukraine’s soft power ambitions

By Marina Pesenti

The Ukrainian Institute was established in 2018 in order to make the most of the country's untapped soft power potential, but this cultural diplomacy initiative faces numerous political and bureaucratic obstacles.

Civil Society Politics & Diplomacy

Blog Post

Jul 23, 2020

What world post COVID-19?: A conversation with Mr. Greg Lindsay

By Peter Engelke, Anca Agachi

Greg Lindsay, director of applied research at NewCities, outlines the implications of the pandemic for the future of cities and shares suggestions for how communities could emerge from this crisis stronger than before.

Civil Society Climate Change & Climate Action

GeoTech Cues

Jul 23, 2020

#GoodTechChoices: Addressing unjust uses of data against marginalized communities

By Nikhil Raghuveera and Tom Koch (Guest Author)

Data has been weaponized against marginalized communities. Now, it must be transformed to be a force for good.

Civil Society Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 22, 2020

Roberts on World Is One (WION)

By Atlantic Council

Dexter Tiff Roberts, an award-winning journalist and Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Asia Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, speaks with World Is One (WION) News based in India about his research on China’s future economic trajectory. More about our expert

China Civil Society

UkraineAlert

Jul 17, 2020

Israeli-Ukrainian artist offers window on late Soviet realities

By Jacob Heilbrunn

Artist Zoya Cherkassky stands for something permanent and enduring, drawing on the deep traditions that she encountered both in Ukraine and in Judaism.

Civil Society Israel

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Jul 14, 2020

The National: Middle East faces ‘scary’ rise in COVID-19 deaths, expert says
Civil Society Coronavirus

In the News

Jul 11, 2020

Hunter in The Palm Beach Post: Point of View: We need a March on Tallahassee
Civil Society Politics & Diplomacy

Feature

Jul 2, 2020

South Asia midyear pause: Taking stock of 2020

By South Asia Center

The specific events of the year’s first six months might have taken us by surprise but the political-economic dynamics that have shaped South Asia’s response to these new challenges did not. Across the region democracy and freedom of expression are challenged, and protectionist impulses are indulged in flailing response to calamitous economic strife. And the United States continues its slide into strategic irrelevance, exercising little leadership or interest in building stronger ties to this vital region.

Afghanistan Bangladesh

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2020

Hezbollah takes control of Lebanon’s judiciary in assault on rule of law

By Michael D. Barbero

Lebanon is a nation in crisis. Just as Hezbollah is the main cause of the current economic crisis, Hezbollah, through its FPM allies, is also the impetus for the assault on the rule of law. The Hezbollahization of Lebanon must be reversed. Reforming one broken sector in Lebanon without restoring the rule of law—the most foundational pillar of Lebanese society—will play into Hezbollah’s hands, continue the misery of the Lebanese people, and ensure Lebanon’s inevitable failure.

Civil Society Corruption

GeoTech Cues

Jul 1, 2020

We can increase public participation in data and avoid surveillance states: Here is how

By David Bray

The world needs a collective effort to gather and share data to steer society and nations back to full operations, and to provide early indicators and warnings of future pandemics. Current methods for accessing data owned by public and private institutions and private citizens today are not able to guide COVID-19 recovery. The new data access frameworks in this initiative can succeed while strengthening societal welfare, prosperity, and peace around the world.

Civil Society Coronavirus
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Experts

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Slavina Ancheva

MPP Candidate and Belfer Young Leader, Harvard Kennedy School

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Civil Society

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Ryan Arick

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense
Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Millennium fellow

Chime Asonye

Founder, Nigerian Mental Health

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society North & West Africa
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