Creativity and strategy: How civil society organizations communicate and mobilize in Egypt, Kenya, Serbia and South Africa

Communications are central to how civil society organizations organize themselves—both internally and externally. Communication is the central means by which civil society highlights key issues, challenges the status quo and pushes an agenda for change. This chapter explores the communication strategies of civil society organizations, looking at the theories behind specific strategies, and the constraints civil society experiences in developing effective communications. Examining nanomedia, such as meetings, drama, art, poetry, protests and marches, interactions with mainstream media and the use of social media, the chapter aims to establish common and divergent communication strategies across Egypt, Kenya, Serbia and South Africa.