If you can bear to visit the Mother of Parliaments, then here’s a chance to say what you think about Real Independence. And what you think about the speakers line up and venue for such an event. NCIA supporters will be going to add to the points we’ve already made to 21st Century Network

21st Century Network would like you to join us at our meetup at The House of Commons on The Real Third Way – Civil Society & Its Independence on Thursday October 15th at 6.30 pm in London. Here we will discuss the importance and role of the voluntary sector in the 21st century.

If you have not already done so then you can find out more and register here…

Globally, voluntary and campaigning groups have expanded so that they now probably represent the greatest social movement the world has ever known. At the same time Governments are drawing in the larger voluntary groups into the contract culture and through commissioning getting them to deliver services. This causes a tension in the voluntary sector and raises questions over what civil society is and what its nature should be. This will be the focus of this meeting. Speaking will be:

• The Rt Hon Alun Michael MP who has held many posts in the last 10 years including Minister of State, Home Office and was also in charge of local government and community affairs.
• Stuart Etherington the Chief Executive of NCVO since 1994. Throughout his career he has been involved in the leadership of voluntary organisations and policies surrounding them.
• Steve Johnson is Chief Executive of AdviceUK – the UK’s largest support network for free, independent advice centres and
• Kevin Curley ther Chief Executive of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA, formerly NACVS).

There will be ample time for comment and questions from the audience and we hope you will join us there.
AdviceUK has sponsored this meeting and we are grateful for them for that. They have also commissioned us to write a small report on the third sector and the commissioning culture.