ABSTRACT

This book explores the roles of civil society organisations (CSOs) when engaging in public diplomacy activities and their impact on community development and change. It provides up-to-date analysis of the challenges and constraints facing CSOs involved in diplomatic missions and working with foreign donors.

Bringing together case studies from Cameroon, Egypt, Poland, Palestine, Lebanon and Libya, this edited collection reflects on how external calls for proposals in the fields of women’s empowerment, community development, education, training, exchange programmes, democracy, human rights and peacebuilding influence the way civil society organisations contribute, deliver, intervene and position themselves in various societies. It explores the lessons learnt by various CSOs in identifying societal problems, understanding grassroots demands, prioritising development agendas and campaigning for peacebuilding. Grounded in a firm theoretical framework and based on up-to-date empirical research, the book reflects on the leadership shown by civil society organisations in development, politics and business and their impact on community development initiatives and local change process.

This book will be an important resource for researchers, policymakers, donors, NGO practitioners and the beneficiaries themselves, within the areas of international development, peacebuilding, civil society, politics and international relations.

chapter 3|10 pages

Historical review of public diplomacy

Milestones for civic engagement and business

chapter 4|12 pages

Public diplomacy and civil society penetration

The new 'scramble for Africa'

chapter 5|14 pages

Being at the forefront

Polish CSOs' contribution to public diplomacy and development cooperation efforts

chapter 6|19 pages

Barriers to CSOs' public diplomacy

Failure of multilateral intervention, conflict, violence and militarism

chapter 8|13 pages

Challenges to civil society organisations' public diplomacy

Militarism, restrictions and violence in Libya and Lebanon

chapter 9|7 pages

Concluding thoughts

New directions for civil society organisations' public diplomacy