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The crucial and under-appreciated role of social movements and civil society

While governments, firms and scientific institutions can all contribute to the 3D agenda, civil society – both in the form of organised public-interest groups and, more importantly, spontaneous citizen-led movements - is often the real source of change. The history of civil society in demanding responsible forms of innovation is as long as the history of industrial technology itself. The globalisation of such movements presents challenges and opportunities for the future.

Resources on this CD

  1. Robins, S. 'Treating AIDS with Activism in South Africa’ Citizenship DRC Case Study
  2. Report: The Knowledge Society Debates in India. The STEPS Centre's 'Knowledge Society Debates' investigated and discussed the role of broader forms of knowledge dispersed throughout society
  3. Presentation: Suman Sahai: Grassroots Innovation in Agriculture at the STEPS Symposium, 2009
  4. Suman Sahai also featured on the IDS podcast "The Big Question"

Additional online resources

(Internet connection required)
  1. Leach, M., Scoones, I. and Wynne, B. (2005) 'Science and Citizens: Globalisation and the Challenge of Engagement’, Zed Books
  2. The Transition Network: network which started as a group of motivated individuals and has now expanded to a growing international network of communities trying to address the challenges of Peak Oil and climate change
  3. Science and Democracy World Forum
  4. Science India - a publication by the Swadeshi Science Movement, one of several Indian Popular Science Movements
  5. Union of Concerned Scientists, USA
  6. Fondation Sciences Citoyennes
  7. Soldiers in the Laboratory - a report on military technologies by Scientists for Global Responsibility.
  8. Anil Gupta (2010) “Network, institution and movement: the case of the Honey Bee Network" in Farmer First Revisited

We welcome examples of innovation for development.
Email us at steps-centre@ids.ac.uk