The growth of civil society in scale and importance over the last two decades has also increased its vulnerability. Civil society is challenged from three directions: internally, by the risk of losing public trust; and externally, by political threats to its right to exist and also by the general threats that face humankind as a whole, such as the impact of climate change, violent conflicts, poverty and inequality.

CIVICUS'' mission is to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world. CIVICUS supports the right of citizens to organise, strengthens civil society organisations and fosters better terms of engagement with governments, the private sector and international institutions.

Recognising the challenges civil society faces and in support of CIVICUS'' mission, the organisation has adopted three, mutually reinforcing Strategic Directions to guide its work over the next five years (2008-2012).

The Strategic Directions are:

Protecting the rights of civil society actors
Strengthening good practice within civil society
Strengthening civil society''s ability to influence the policies and practices of governments, international institutions and the private sector