In 2010, Bev Russell described her methodological innovations in the measurement of civil society in Africa at the ISTR Conference in Istanbul. Her paper outlines the practical methodological and measurement considerations for undertaking a bottom-up, evidence-based appraisal of civic agency, in its entirety, as it presents itself in Africa. Only through a completely fresh look at the why, the how and the who of civil society in Africa can we really attempt to make sense of what it is and its current and potential influence on the broader issues of African governance and democracy.

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