CSO Week 2023 Concept Note
The CSO Week is the largest gathering of civil society organizations in Tanzania. The event offers an opportunity to engage with multi-sectoral actors for purposes of enhancing partnerships in the interest of steering the national development agenda forward. The 2023 CSO Week will take place from 23rd to 27th October 2023 in Arusha. This year’s event is the fifth in a series of similar events held in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and it will be under the theme “Explore the Transformative Power of Tech and Society in Tanzania” Then, Now and Beyond. The aim to bring together civil society organizations, policymakers, technologists, and stakeholders to exchange ideas, experiences, and knowledge on leveraging technology for positive societal impact in Tanzania.
The “Then” component of the theme encourages civil society to examine the historical interplay between technology and society, offering insights into how past technological advancements have influenced societal structures, systems, and processes, including the work of civil society actors.
The “Now” component pushes civil society to critically analyze the current state of affairs, focusing on the contemporary impact of technology on societal dynamics and the opportunities and challenges it presents for CSOs in their efforts to effect change.
The “Beyond” component prompts civil society to envision the future, recognizing that the intersection of technology and society will continue to evolve. This compels civil society actors to anticipate and prepare for future technological trends and their potential societal impacts, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of these developments.
The discussions will facilitate collaboration and innovation to maximize the potential of technology in advancing social development and addressing pressing challenges faced by the country. The event is expected to bring together about 500 leaders of CSOs from Mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar and East Africa.