In just one month Jocelyn, 12, has learnt to read. He is attending one of Madagascar’s 260 learning centres scattered in villages in the poor provinces of Fianarantsoa, Majunga, Tamatave and Toliara. The centre is Jocelyn’s first contact with an educational institution. Like many children living in rural Madagascar, Jocelyn’s parents, who are farmers, could not afford to send him to school. “I hope the courses won’t stop. I want to continue to learn,” Jocelyn says, while proudly reading to his parents from his book. Madagascar’s government and the UN System Joint Programme to Promote Basic Education for All Malagasy Children are behind this innovative non-formal education programme.

The CIVICUS World Assembly creates an opportunity for civil society organisations which normally do not have access to certain important actors nationally, regionally and internationally to engage in dialogue and debate about the future of the planet generally, and the role of civil society specifically. The overall World Assembly theme is Acting Together for a Just World. Plenary sessions, learning exchanges and capacity-building workshops will focus on the following sub-themes: Civic justice which explores ways to defend the rights of civic associations and to strengthen the governance and legitimacy of civil society organisations; Social justice, which explores civil society's role in situations of public or private conflict; Political justice which explores ways to enhance citizen engagement in decision-making; and Economic justice which will reflect on the ways in which globalisation is changing the world of work.