Representing the Organization for Economic Development and Diplomacy (OEDD) as part of Cooperation Canada’s delegation to International Civil Society Week (ICSW) in Bangkok was a grounding and energizing experience. ICSW — hosted by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation — is the world’s largest civil society gathering, convening over 75 organizations and 120+ sessions to defend democracy, advance human rights, and promote climate justice and inclusion at a moment when inequality and democratic backsliding are accelerating globally.
This year’s convening wasn’t just a conference. It felt like a community in motion — activists, policymakers, researchers, artists, and youth leaders imagining new futures together. Several themes continue to stay with me as I reflect on the week.
1. Civil Society Is Rooted in Community, Not Just Advocacy
Across plenaries and side sessions, one truth was undeniable: civil society is fundamentally about people — belonging, connection, and care. ICSW shone a spotlight on colleagues operating in shrinking civic spaces or navigating conflict and instability. Their resilience is both a warning and an inspiration.
Civil society fails when community is an afterthought. It thrives when solidarity is centred.
2. Accountability Must Be Transformative
Speakers challenged traditional donor-driven accountability frameworks, calling for models grounded in culture, lived experience, and community-led priorities. Accountability cannot be reduced to compliance. It must reflect values, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
This shift is essential if civil society is to remain credible and relevant.
3. Collaboration Across Sectors Expands What’s Possible
From strategic foresight to emerging digital tools, ICSW showed how innovation multiplies when disciplines intersect. When human rights activists sit with technologists, educators, artists, and policymakers, new pathways emerge.
Cross-sector collaboration isn’t optional — it’s the engine for stronger civic spaces.
4. Young People Are Reshaping Civic Life Right Now
Youth leadership was everywhere — bold, creative, and unafraid.
One highlight: Thai rap artist Elevenfinger, who uses hip hop to unify communities, resist oppression, and spark political imagination despite real risks to his freedom.
Equally inspiring were conversations with students at Thammasat University, whose global awareness and commitment to tackling urgent issues reaffirmed that the next generation is not waiting for permission to lead.
Moments of Connection: Diaspora, Dialogue, and Shared Purpose
One of the most meaningful moments was gathering delegates of African descent from across the world — from Haiti and Portugal to Uganda and South Africa. What began informally became a powerful space for affirmation, shared histories, and collective responsibility. These diasporic connections remind us how global our struggles — and our solutions — truly are.
And of course, the warmth of Thai people shaped every day. So did discovering new joys like mango sticky rice and mangosteen.
Acknowledgements
Gratitude to my fellow delegates for their insights, solidarity, and leadership, including:
🤝 Maiwand Rahyab & Carolina Barrera – Solidarity Beyond Borders: Building Resilience in Exile
🔎 Andy Ouédraogo (a Black Diplomats Academy fellow!) & Guillermo Correa – Reclaiming Civic Imagination: Strategic Foresighting and Visioning
A special thanks to David Panetta and Andy Ouédraogo for their coordination, and to Cooperation Canada for the opportunity to represent OEDD on this global stage.
Moving Forward
ICSW reinforced what OEDD stands for: equitable development, innovative diplomacy, and building the capacity of future global leaders. As civic spaces evolve and pressures mount, collaboration among civil society, government, and global institutions will become increasingly important.
The work continues — and OEDD remains committed to supporting the people and communities who make that work possible.
Connect with Vibya Natana
Vibya Natana
Attaché for Economic Development & Executive Affairs
Vibya Natana is a South Sudanese-Canadian social impact leader strengthening organizations through strategic governance, community-driven systems, and youth representation, advancing global partnerships as an Attaché for Economic Development and Executive Affairs.