CIVICUS -World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Founded in 1993 by an international group of NGO leaders, CIVICUS’s founding cohort brought together diverse civil society voices — early figures such as Kumi Naidoo and Miklós Marschall alongside founding members who guaranteed regional balance, most notably Dr. Farida Allaghi. A Libyan sociologist, women’s-rights advocate and former regional advisor in the MENA region, Allaghi helped ensure that perspectives from the Arab world were present at the alliance’s creation; the mix of grassroots activists, academics and international development experts in the founding group shaped CIVICUS’s global mission to strengthen citizen action and defend civic freedoms from day one.
Dr Allaghi's leadership in CIVICUS
Dr. Farida Allaghi was a founding member of CIVICUS in 1993, invited to join the international group that conceptualized and launched the alliance. She was included because she was already recognized as a respected Libyan sociologist, women’s-rights advocate, and experienced development practitioner whose regional expertise represented the Middle East and North Africa.
Her role in the founding process was significant. She ensured that Arab and MENA perspectives were reflected in early conversations and strategic planning, bringing attention to the civic-space realities of the region. Drawing on decades of advisory experience with international agencies such as UNICEF, she provided critical input into the shaping of CIVICUS’s mission, vision, and strategies, particularly on women’s rights, grassroots challenges, and regional development priorities.
Dr. Allaghi’s cross-sector background—spanning academia, international development, and grassroots activism—helped bridge scholarly insight with policy practice and on-the-ground realities, aligning perfectly with the founding aim of CIVICUS to connect different levels of civil society. Her inclusion also carried strong symbolic importance, demonstrating CIVICUS’s commitment from its inception to being a truly global alliance and reinforcing its emphasis on inclusivity.
Although she was not involved in the long-term day-to-day operations of CIVICUS, she remained a key advisory figurein its early years. Later, she continued to be a respected voice in international civil society forums and consultations, while her primary focus remained on regional development, women’s empowerment, and academia.
Overall, Dr. Allaghi’s participation lent legitimacy, broadened CIVICUS’s global remit, and ensured that the priorities of the Arab world were present at the organization’s foundation.
