PRIA Conference on citizenship and governance

PRIA organized its fifth international conference under the theme ‘Citizenship and Governance: Re-visioning Social Transformation in the 21st Century’ at New Delhi from 27- 29 February 2008.

International experiences of democracy contribute to UK policy debates

An international project to share learning among Champions of Participation in local government across 15 countries has culminated in a release of a final report, and a policy dialogue around its findings with key UK policy makers.

Violence and democracy in Kenya: a personal reflection

Celestine Nyamu Musembi from Kenya, IDS fellow and Citizenship DRC researcher reflects on the crisis in Kenya, and raises questions between issues of violence and democracy, two of the themes that cut across the work of the Citizenship DRC.

Amazonian indigenous representation in state health institutions

A DRC research project in the Western Amazonian state of Acre, Brazil, is investigating the participation of indigenous peoples in health policy and health systems management.

Gains and reversals in building democracy

Funding for ‘democracy assistance’ by international donors has risen to an all time high, with recent estimates that some $10 billion are now going into democracy building projects.

What does globalisation mean for citizenship?

Around the world, citizens are finding new spaces and opportunities to engage with governments and other institututions.

Citizenship in violent contexts

For many people, the possibilities of participation - in policy processes or mobilising for claiming rights - are highly constrained by violence in their everyday lives.

Champions of particpation: an international learning experience

An international learning experience took place recently when champions of participation in local governance from all over the world spent a week together in the UK.

Participatory video: a useful lens for research?

What are the advantages and challenges of using participatory video in research? What is distinctive about participatory video as opposed to other participatory approaches?

Shaping asbestos policy: global connections and local mobilisations

“It is Tuesday 13th March 2007 – day two of my first research trip to India . This morning I’m off to meet Brigadier Sethi who represents the Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers’ Association. I am nervous about this interview..."

Research progress in the Citizenship DRC

Field research continues in each of the thematic areas of the Citizenship DRC: the deepening democracy group; the violence, citizenship and participation group and the citizen engagements in a globalising world group.

Participatory democracy: a challenge for us all?

Many countries have experienced huge gains in democratic participation during the past 25 years. Today over 150 countries have the minimum standard of democracy – the right to vote. But there are still major challenges to face.