The Faculty of Environmental Studies will present a public lecture tomorrow by Michael Edwards, director of the Governance and Civil Society Program at the Ford Foundation, New York. Edwards will be speaking about his most recent book, Civil Society (Polity Press, 2004). The lecture is co-sponsored by the York Centre for Asian Research, International Development Studies in the Faculty of Arts, and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies, Ryerson University.
Right: Michael Edwards
The lecture will take place on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 3:30pm in room 140 HNES (Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies Bldg.).
Drawing inspiration and examples from history and contemporary experience, Edwards gives voice to a rich and diverse account of civil society in its many different guises. He explores the theoretical and practical significance of civil society as a concept and as a basis for action and hope about the future.
From 1998 to 1999, Edwards was the senior civil society specialist at the World Bank in Washington, DC. There he led a program designed to improve the agency’s understanding of, and engagement with, a wide range of civic groups. His many books and articles have helped to shape thinking about non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society and international cooperation.
Ewards is also the author of Future Positive: International Co-operation in the 21st Century (2001); Global Citizen Action (2001); NGO Rights and Responsibilities: A new deal for global governance (1999); NGOs, States and Donors: too close for comfort (1997); Beyond the Magic Bullet: NGO performance and accountability in a post-Cold War world (1996); and Making a Difference – NGOs and development in a changing world (1991).