Search: For - civil society

61 results found

Taliban’s participation in the UN-led conference in Doha
Jul 12, 2024

Taliban’s participation in the UN-led conference in Doha

With the conference providing no significant gains in both security- and economics-related issues, the trade-off of not having women and civil society

2030 पर्यंत स्त्री-पुरुष समानता साध्य करण्याचे उद्दिष्ट कसे गाठायचे?
Mar 14, 2024

2030 पर्यंत स्त्री-पुरुष समानता साध्य करण्याचे उद्दिष्ट कसे गाठायचे?

शाश्वत विकास उद्दिष्ट-५ आणि इतर उद्दिष्टांमधील आंतरसंब�

J&K च्या नवीन DGP चा जनतेशी संपर्क, शांतता प्रस्थापित करण्यावर भर
Mar 13, 2024

J&K च्या नवीन DGP चा जनतेशी संपर्क, शांतता प्रस्थापित करण्यावर भर

काश्मीर खोऱ्यात प्रभावीपणे विश्वास निर्माण करण्यासाठी

Walk the talk: Prioritise SDG 5 to advance Agenda 2030
Mar 07, 2024

Walk the talk: Prioritise SDG 5 to advance Agenda 2030

The connections between SDG 5 and other goals underscore the imperative of attaining gender equality as both a moral obligation and a strategic invest

Building bridges, fostering peace:  J&K's new DGP connects with the public
Feb 28, 2024

Building bridges, fostering peace: J&K's new DGP connects with the public

The continued collaboration between various stakeholders is crucial to effectively foster trust and maintain peace in the Valley.

Whose AI is it anyway? Moving global debates from “mine” to “ours”
Feb 23, 2024

Whose AI is it anyway? Moving global debates from “mine” to “ours”

An inductive approach to AI development can improve the data foundation for discussions and mobilise a wider coalition advocating for its integration

RBI sets the tone in climate finance thinking with its “Green India” report
May 29, 2023

RBI sets the tone in climate finance thinking with its “Green India” report

This report is a thought leadership push for policymakers, businesses, and civil society to work together to address India's environmental challenges

Protests in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan: A Soviet legacy
Jul 15, 2022

Protests in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan: A Soviet legacy

The proposal to downgrade the autonomous status of Karakalpakstan has led to widespread protests in Uzbekistan.

World Youth Skills Day 2022: Upskilling the youth of India
Jul 15, 2022

World Youth Skills Day 2022: Upskilling the youth of India

To address the skill deficit, India needs to extend high technical and vocational courses to improve employability.

Beyond government: Role of new actors in India’s development cooperation
May 02, 2021

Beyond government: Role of new actors in India’s development cooperation

There is immense potential for tech startups, social entrepreneurs and civil society organisations to become partners in India’s development coopera

Is youth with civil society a serious challenge to government?
Dec 23, 2019

Is youth with civil society a serious challenge to government?

The large turnout of youth and the civil society despite the central and state government’s determined efforts like large scale arrests of political

Vajpayee's Kashmir policy was more than a slogan
Aug 20, 2018

Vajpayee's Kashmir policy was more than a slogan

Among the indicators of the success of Vajpayee’s Kashmir policy is that even two decades later, the politicians, the civil society, the intelligent

Lebanon elections: Hezbollah, Hariri and the civil society
May 05, 2018

Lebanon elections: Hezbollah, Hariri and the civil society

Lebanon is trying something different, but how far will it succeed?

Should India boycott Chinese goods?
Oct 24, 2016

Should India boycott Chinese goods?

Call to boycott Chinese goods can be taken up by civil society and leaders of business, trade and industry community in coordination with each other

Dousing flames in #Kashmir
Aug 17, 2016

Dousing flames in #Kashmir

Role of media, civil society, political parties and business are significant in addition to Central and State governments in dousing the flames in Kas

Civil society and nuclear weapons policy
Jan 15, 2015

Civil society and nuclear weapons policy

At a conference on "Civil Society and Nuclear Weapons Policy", organised by ORF and Chatham House in Bangkok, there was a general consensus among participants that the emphasis should be given on raising awareness on the various hazardous impacts of the nuclear weapons explosion, especially in the nuclear weapons states.

Governance, Citizens and New Civil Society in Contemporary Urban India: Lessons from Mumbai
Jun 20, 2013

Governance, Citizens and New Civil Society in Contemporary Urban India: Lessons from Mumbai

The 2011 anti-corruption movement in India—characterised by a huge trust deficit in the political class—was the culmination of several such localised movements that marked the birth of a new civil society in contemporary urban India. This paper studies the profusion of middle-class-led associations in Mumbai fighting for good governance, and their increased political mobilisation in the city. It argues that a new civil society bypasses electe

Govt, corporates and civil society should work together to fight human trafficking
Jan 06, 2014

Govt, corporates and civil society should work together to fight human trafficking

There is a need for a multi-pronged attack on human trafficking involving the government, corporate bodies and the civil society, it was observed at a panel discussion on the "Role 'India Inc' in Combating Human Trafficking" at ORF.

Indian foreign policy needs civil society experts. MEA must step up, go beyond conference model
Apr 11, 2023

Indian foreign policy needs civil society experts. MEA must step up, go beyond conference model

Much of PP&R's engagement with civil society remains limited to event-oriented modes. There is a fundamental problem in the extant approach.

Myanmar can learn A Lot from India, Say Myanmar's Civil Society Groups
May 19, 2011

Myanmar can learn A Lot from India, Say Myanmar's Civil Society Groups

A delegation of Myanmar civil rights groups was of the view that civil society groups could be used as a catalyst for social change in their country. They hoped that the civil society would be able to play a critical role in further transforming the seemingly changing political system of the country.

Need for revising our sense of the role of civil society amongst the urban poor
Jan 14, 2014

Need for revising our sense of the role of civil society amongst the urban poor

Globally, there is an upsurge of sectarian movements and informal community-based organisations that affect the daily lives of the urban poor in the way they provide for their need of tangible goods and services.

Public health concerns and reforms: Perceptions of the civil society
May 01, 2012

Public health concerns and reforms: Perceptions of the civil society

The problem of female foeticide and sex selection was highlighted as a big public health concern at a seminar on 'Public Health Concerns and Reforms' organised by ORF and RLS in Delhi. It was said that India could witness elimination of 9-10% girls in the times to come.

'Lok Pal' does not mean it has to cover all Indians!
Jun 17, 2011

'Lok Pal' does not mean it has to cover all Indians!

The Government and the political and bureaucratic class should be sensitive to the cause professed by the civil society and acknowledge that absence of accountability and responsibility could lead to anarchy of a more militant kind.

A new approach to global security: Munich Security Conference meets in New Delhi
Oct 20, 2015

A new approach to global security: Munich Security Conference meets in New Delhi

The Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting is beginning in New Delhi from Tuesday. Around 70 senior decision-makers from politics, business, media and civil society from India, as well as the Euro-Atlantic, Asian and the Middle East region will discuss key issues of international security policy.

Addressing inequities for balanced urban development of Delhi
Apr 20, 2011

Addressing inequities for balanced urban development of Delhi

A select group of urban sector professionals in the government and the civil society acknowledge that the problems of inequity observed in almost all Indian towns and cities could be overcome by adopting a balanced and participatory approach to urban development.

AI Governance in India: Aspirations and Apprehensions
Dec 06, 2023

AI Governance in India: Aspirations and Apprehensions

The Observer Research Foundation’s first Tech Huddle was held on 23 November 2023 and focused on the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in India, highlighting the rapid growth and adoption of AI as well as the complexities associated with developing regulatory frameworks for it. AI governance is in its infancy, both globally and in India, and grapples with issues such as the explainability of AI systems as well as the embedded biases, s

As internet matures, India faces a choice on governance
Mar 24, 2014

As internet matures, India faces a choice on governance

Given the Indian government's taste for pushing unilateral mechanisms for governing the internet at an international level, and Indian civil society, which for the most part seems to vocally support a multistakeholder approach, the Indian elections might bring about a new opportunity for both sides to find clarity.

Balancing Old and New in Delhi: Modern Delhi’s Perspective on Built Heritage Conservation
Aug 23, 2023

Balancing Old and New in Delhi: Modern Delhi’s Perspective on Built Heritage Conservation

While existing literature provides solid documentation of conservation policy and legislation, coverage of civil society's perceptions and role within conservation schemes is relatively sparse. This paper presents the under-represented perspective of modern Delhi on the policies and realities of heritage conservation.

Cause and Effect: The Factors that Make Pakistan's Military a Political Force
Feb 28, 2024

Cause and Effect: The Factors that Make Pakistan's Military a Political Force

This issue brief assesses the enduring political influence of the military in Pakistan. It delves into the historical, social, and geopolitical factors that have propelled the military's rise in the nation's governance structure. The brief also examines the military-bureaucratic nexus and its role in perpetuating military dominance, and the implications of a weak civil society and its constrained ability to counterbalance military power.

Challenges ahead for the India-EU FTA
Feb 28, 2012

Challenges ahead for the India-EU FTA

There is need for greater transparency in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations. There could be more information sharing with civil society groups and the general public so that the content of the negotiations would get public approval faster, making it easier to conclude the FTA.

China cloud over Taiwan: President Lai Ching-te starts term in the face of Beijing’s war drills
Jun 05, 2024

China cloud over Taiwan: President Lai Ching-te starts term in the face of Beijing’s war drills

Taiwan’s civil society has hit the streets to register their displeasure against what they perceive as Beijing’s moves to get a backdoor entry into Taiwan’s democratic process.

Community Driven Development in Developing Countries
May 24, 2013

Community Driven Development in Developing Countries

This paper highlights the increasing importance of Community Driven Development (CDD) in the delivery of public services to the poorest sections and enhancing access, voice and accountability in developing countries. Community participation in the delivery of ‘public services’ to the poorest sections of the population in developing countries has often been regarded as an effective mechanism to enhance access, voice and accountability.

Countering insurgency in Kashmir: The cyber dimension
Jan 10, 2017

Countering insurgency in Kashmir: The cyber dimension

Countering the militancy in Kashmir has become a highly challenging task due to the exploitation of new information and communication technology by insurgent groups. The battlefield is now a multidimensional one, encompassing both physical territory and cyberspace. The overall capabilities of insurgents have been enhanced by tools in cyberspace that are inexpensive, ever more sophisticated, rapidly proliferating, and easy to use. Militants are sy

Current situation in Nepal: Parties at conflict
Jun 01, 2004

Current situation in Nepal: Parties at conflict

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa¿s resignation on 7th May 2004 amidst mounting pressure from the agitating five political parties Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Jan Morcha (JM), Nepal Mazdoor Kishan Party (NMKP) and Nepali Sadhavana Party (Ananadi Devi) supported by the members of civil society has left a political vaccum in the country.

Cyber Mercenaries: The Failures of Current Responses and the Imperative of International Collaboration
Dec 11, 2023

Cyber Mercenaries: The Failures of Current Responses and the Imperative of International Collaboration

Digital adoption, hastened globally by the COVID-19 epidemic, brought along with it both benefits and threats, including concerns of safety and security of the cyberspace. Current geopolitical dynamics, ongoing strategic and economic disputes, as well as attempts by authoritarian regimes to preserve power have allowed companies with malicious intent—known as ‘cyber mercenaries’—to develop and deploy offensive cyber capabilities. The tools

Embedding Technology in Education: The Potential of India’s Solutions in East Africa
Mar 23, 2021

Embedding Technology in Education: The Potential of India’s Solutions in East Africa

India and the countries of Africa share common challenges in their education systems, among them, weak teacher capacities and lack of basic infrastructure. In India, technological interventions have been able to address some of the challenges at scale. Africa has met with less success in this regard, as governments prioritise the provision of hardware without addressing the systemic issues that hamper the adoption of such technologies. Cu

Formulating open-space policies for India’s cities: The case of Mumbai
Apr 22, 2020

Formulating open-space policies for India’s cities: The case of Mumbai

Over the past decade, Mumbai’s civil society has raised concerns over the way in which the municipal corporation appears to be prioritising rapid development at the cost of the city’s public space. Indeed, the city has lost significant areas of its open spaces owing to various reasons, among them archaic policies, unrealistic goals, and the labyrinthine division of power and jurisdiction between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and othe

Framing multistakeholder conversations on encryption
Dec 06, 2016

Framing multistakeholder conversations on encryption

On August 12, 2016 the Observer Research Foundation convened the first in a series of multistakeholder roundtables on encryption. This report is the outcome of the discussion of issues and proposal of solutions conducted at the roundtable. Being a complex, technical-legal question around access to data for law enforcement, encryption has long been a contested issue. Creating best-in-class regulation on encryption will require targeted interventio

Global urbanisation experiences
Nov 08, 2011

Global urbanisation experiences

Growing urbanisation and its resultant problems and issues have drawn the attention of international organisations, national governments and the civil society. The United Nations (2012) has reported that while "unprecedented increase in urban population will provide new opportunities to improve education and public services in Africa and Asia,...

India, Russia cannot  give up on each other
Dec 28, 2012

India, Russia cannot give up on each other

If Putin and Manmohan Singh want to capture some of the magic of the past, it is imperative to look beyond government-to-government ties and engage the private sector as well as civil society. The India-Russia relationship is not only about defence or nuclear issues but about people.

Internet governance debates gain steam within India
Apr 09, 2014

Internet governance debates gain steam within India

Though the Indian state has chosen to espouse a state-led mechanism for internet governance, one must remember that it is the civil society and media outrage that led the Indian government to ensure the IT Act, 2000 is not easily abused. All actors have their place at the table, be it at the state or international level.

Learn lessons from the CBI fiasco
Nov 02, 2018

Learn lessons from the CBI fiasco

Given the political slugfest over the CBI, it is clear that the revival of India's premier investigative agency cannot happen at the hands of politicians. Civil society and stakeholders must step up and force the establishment to undertake reform

MDP's 'May Day' call, now again to India
Apr 30, 2015

MDP's 'May Day' call, now again to India

Combined with the Maldives government's demonstrated preparations for a face-off, the tone and tenor of the Opposition's preparations for the May Day rally, and their call for the civil society to chip in, indicate a possible repeat of the 'December 23 movement' protests (2011-12) that led to President Nasheed's exit.

Plugging the holes in India’s 'Independent Contractor' economy
Nov 13, 2017

Plugging the holes in India’s 'Independent Contractor' economy

It seems that the distinctive workforce model that the sharing economy touts as vital to its existence may eventually be the reason for its downfall.