From ‘liquid democracy’, to the ‘underground fungal network’ of citizenship that supports progressive change, the former Oxfam GB CEO offers lots of useful ideas about how the 21st century can live up to its initial promise as the ‘century of the citizen’, says Duncan Green.
The strength of unity: protests in Kenya
In this blog, Simon Maina shares his first experience in a protest and how young people in Kenya propelled their shared anger and hopes in demanding for change.
How do you build a digital movement? Smart strategy, good stories – and make sure it is rooted in the real world
Oxfam Novib staff on four lessons for digital activism, drawn from their “E-motive” peer-to-peer learning project that connected campaigners across borders.
Four ways to build youth activism for peace: insights from one UK student’s campaigning on Yemen
Oxfam campaigner Yasmin Turner on how she is working to draw attention to the crisis in Yemen and pressure the UK government to stop the British arms sales fuelling the conflict – from hosting a photographic exhibition to writing to her local MP.
Are schools facing a squeeze on social justice activism and debate?
New government ‘impartiality guidance’ advises teachers in England to provide ‘opposing views’ to campaigning movements such as Black Lives Matter – and to discourage students from taking any action that aims to change policy. John McLaverty and Safia Mizon Thioune set out their concerns
What drives active citizenship?
by Rik Linssen and Saskia van Veen Mobilising citizens to raise their voices and hold those in power to account for their actions is one of the main ways Oxfam fights poverty and inequality. Oxfam amplifies the voices of those living in poverty and injustice. By mobilising citizens in various modes of collective action (for example, signing a petitions, contacting …
A fresh approach to visual communications in development: allow me to illustrate
2020 brought many surprises. At the beginning of the pandemic, the last thing I expected was to be coaching voice actors down a crackly line to a recording studio in Afghanistan. My organisation, Integrity Action, was producing an animated video to showcase one of the impact stories from our work – this was part of our shift, over recent years, …
On human rights, the US must repair, reflect, and re-engage
On January 16, Julio David González Arango, an Indigenous land defender involved in peaceful resistance to a mining operation in Guatemala, was shot in his home. The next day, two other defenders – Juan Eduardo Donis and Pablo Adolfo Valenzuela – received text messages saying that “they would be next.” Tragically, this incident is all too familiar to activists and human rights …
Introducing The Impact Talk Podcast from Oxfam Novib & the “Power of Citizens’ Voices” Series
“People living on the frontlines of inequality have the solutions, and leaders all over the world should pay attention to what people are saying are tangible solutions”Antonia Musunga, Kenya National Coordinator, Fight Inequality Alliance, and guest on Episode 1 of the Impact Talk Podcast. Oxfam Novib announces the launch of The Impact Talk Podcast with the “Power of Citizens’ Voices” …
A deep-dive into the practice of influencing networks
In July 2020 Oxfam Novib launched the book ‘Beating the Drum: Stories of Influencing Networks’ [available in English and French]. The book, which is part of a comprehensive learning trajectory on ‘worldwide influencing networks’ (WIN), explores the practical experiences of nine influencing networks around the world and their efforts to influence decision-makers on a variety of issues. Issues include land rights, the abolition of nuclear weapons, …