The International Conference on Freedom of Association, themed “Strong Civil Society,” will be held in Istanbul on June 11-12, 2024

Organized by the Third Sector Foundation of Türkiye (TUSEV) and the Civil Society Development Center Association (STGM) with the support of the European Union, the conference aims to bring together civil society organization representatives, academics, experts, activists, and policymakers from around the world.

What are the Topics?

Key topics include various dimensions of freedom of association, overcoming challenges to civic space, strengthening NGOs as fundamental actors of democracy, and strategies to uphold human rights and promote social justice. Discussions will also focus on innovative approaches to address global challenges faced by democratic systems, resilience of civil society in different countries and regions, adaptation to changing environments, and the global impact of legislative regulations on the activities of civil society regarding freedom of association.

The conference will feature sessions such as:

• New Approaches to Addressing Challenges Faced by Democracies
• Resilience of Civil Society in Difficult Times
• Safeguarding Freedom of Association: Legal Regulations
• Global Civil Society Agenda and the Role of International Organizations
• Impact of New Technologies on Civil Society

Detailed program and session information will be shared in the coming days. The conference invites applications from representatives of civil society organizations engaged in rights-based work. Priority will be given to applications from outside Istanbul, with accommodation and travel expenses covered for 30 representatives. Local transportation costs within Istanbul will be covered by the applicants.

Academics and experts interested in participating can contact info@tusev.org.tr and bilgi@stgm.org.tr. Applications must be submitted by May 20, 2024, and the participants will be contacted by May 27, 2024. For further updates, please visit the STGM and TÜSEV websites and social media channels or contact the provided email addresses.