Globalizing Civic Engagement

This collection of essays by leading experts on civil society and globalization looks at what civil society organizations (CSOs) can achieve, and the barriers they face, when they break through national boundaries and out of sectoral moulds to work with others in global networks. It charts the experience of various civil society initiatives, all of which relate strongly to the question of globalization. CSOs until recently were mostly organized at national or local levels, but new global organizations or networks are increasingly emerging. The case studies show how transnational action can yield impressive results ' particularly in changing policies and public attitudes. The range of CSOs studied is diverse but all reveal a remarkably similar array of practical challenges, from structure and leadership issues to governance dilemmas. The book is intended to offer practical guidance to those engaged with CSOs as well as contribute to academic enquiry about civil society.