ABSTRACT
This chapter includes the background, framework, scope and questions of study and methods. It introduces explorations of some civil society organisations' (CSOs) operational practices and shifting landscapes and influences, as well as shed light on their challenges as CSOs in contemporary societies. It focuses on three themes/shifts –, political, social and foreign aid - and, by examining specific case studies, aims at improving our understanding on the shifts of CSOs in various societies. In short, this chapter raises and addresses the following questions: To what extent has civil society actually succeeded in achieving its own objectives despite shifting landscapes? What is the role of civil society to accommodate the shifts? How did civil society organisations overcome challenges in these societies?
