News

1. Background

Corporate Social Investment (CSI) is a self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. By practicing CSI, companies can be conscious of the kind of impact they are having on all aspects of society, including economic, social, and environmental. To engage in CSI means that, in the ordinary course of business, a company is operating in ways that enhance society and the environment instead of contributing negatively to them.

community philanthropy is described as individuals and local institutions giving goods, money, time, and skills to improve the well-being of others

the intricate relationship between philanthropy and civil society organizations reflects the foundational philosophy of civil society

Envisioning a society driven by local philanthropy and domestic resource mobilization, the Philanthropy for Development program has become a catalyst for change. An example emerges from Kabale District, Kigezi sub-region, where communities are uniting for the common good.

In an age where the boundaries between nations and cultures are fading, where information flows freely across borders, and where global challenges require global solutions, the significance of collaboration and collective action has never been more apparent. The interconnectedness of our world, facilitated by advancements in technology and communication, has amplified the potential for synergy when like-minded organizations and individuals join forces to address common goals and objectives.

In the past, communities in the West Nile region relied heavily on the government to address their needs, including repairing essential infrastructure like boreholes, bridges, and access roads. This dependence often resulted in women having to travel long distances to fetch water, and school-going children faced the perilous risk of drowning in bridges during the rainy season. Access to markets and other essential services became a formidable challenge.

Preamble

The news article discusses a meeting between a delegation of citizens from the Ankole sub-region in Uganda and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. The primary purpose of this meeting was to implore the Deputy Speaker to advocate for constitutional and electoral reforms through parliamentary processes.

According to the 2016 Uganda Demographic Survey, the youth in Uganda form the highest
population, with about 78% being under the age of 30 years. It is therefore important to
understand that the youth groups are so large that they are not just an interest group - it is
the country! They present huge challenges and opportunities for our country.

“We are not shifting power, what we need to shift is the spotlight on power. If for a long time, the spotlight has been on our power, it’s time to share the space, let’s shift it elsewhere. We keep giving spotlight on the things we complain about. In this discourse to tangibles, lets shift the spotlight, that’s the beginning. If media shifts attention to communities and as organizations, if shift that spotlight from the power we’ve been on to the others that exist, then we start to see traction” …

Civil society organisations have played a profound role in energizing citizens to take part in the governance processes of their communities.