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Civic Society and Governance

ā€œto foster conditions that best enable underrepresented communities throughout the world, and their full array of civic persons, to participate more equitably in their governanceā€

The Trust in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance

The Trust in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance was established to foster conditions that best enable underrepresented communities throughout the world, and their full array of civic persons, to participate more equitably in their governance.

On Fundamentals of Civic Society

The primary focus of the Trust is less on specific party or policy outcomes from political participation, debate, and governance than on the sound fundamentals of such civic activities, and on the practices that have perennially diminished the ability of persons to engage equitably.

A Geographic Focus that Extends

As with all the Trusts, there is a substantive focus on Africa and its global diasporas, but precisely with wider impediments to ethical governance in mind. Including those to be found in often structurally related settings that continue to produce global patterns of de jure and de facto underrepresentation.

Reducing Global Differences

In this way, the work and support of the Trust shall continue to function as direct attempts to reduce perennial differences in ethical, civic participation, within and across local and global communities, and thus be of direct benefit to the most regularly underserved, marginalized, and disenfranchised of the world’s communities.

The Trust’s Finances

The Trust in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance was established as part of the Declaration of Trust of the Chinyere and Chinelo Ikoku Charitable Trusts. It is therefore subject to the general fiduciary responsibilities outlined in the founding Declaration.

Annual Spending

These responsibilities include stipulations that limit appropriated spending in any given year to no more than 5% of the three-year average market value of the Trust’s current principal.

Appropriated Spending I

The Declaration also stipulates that no less than half of such annual spending be dedicated to work on continental Africa.

Appropriated Spending II

It is also expected that such annual spending be overwhelmingly dedicated (greater than 75%) to being of direct benefit to low-income communities and individuals.

To Fund in Perpetuity

Such stipulations are in line with best practices to ensure that the Trust continues to exist in perpetuity and that it continues to have assets to carry out its charitable purposes during that time.

Reports: In Charts and Numbers

Reports: In Charts and Numbers

The Trust’s Projects (Actual and Proposed)

We provide below access to a number of projects partly funded and conceived under the rubric of this Trust. Note that the operations of said projects are typically the purview of The Ikoku Foundations, and so the links will often guide you to their sites.

The Database of Governance and Participation in Society

The Report on Civic Participation and Governance

The Report on Civic Participation and Governance

The Fellowship in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance

The Fellowship in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance

The Grant in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance

The Grant in Ethics of Civic Society and Governance

The Newsletter on Civic Society and Governance

The Newsletter on Civic Society and Governance

The Trusts Areas

The Chinyere and Chinelo Ikoku Charitable Trusts hold and manage the donated assets of The Ikoku Foundations, with specified attention to areas of focus delineated in the founding Declaration of Trust. Below is access to further information in each of the Trusts Areas.

Agriculture and Sustenance

Contributions to Public Knowledge

Cultural and Technological Innovation

Energy and Infrastructure

Ethics of Research and Care

Human and Environmental Health

Humanistic Inquiry and Expression

Public Opinion and Civic Discourse

Rights and Covenants

01.

Governace Suited to Local and Global Philanthropy

We have designed the governing structure of the Ikoku Foundations and Foundations in order to be attentive to needs and operations at the local and global level, as well as across the complex states and societies where our communities reside, living shared, interdependent lives.

02.

With Respect Being Central to Our Ethics

At the core of our founding and governing Code of Ethics is a commitment to the most robust conceptions of respect and humanity, including and beyond what the law has protected and provided for, as we fulfill our twin mottos: to serve the public interest in Africa and its global diasporas; and to account for the past while ensuring a shared and just future.

03.

To Ensure a Just and Shared Future for Many

We are inspired by peoples who have contributed to the foundations and development of their societies, despite a history of systemic difficulties. Who maintain an unyielding belief that the betterment of their human condition will foster the betterment of those living around them, and will enhance the futures of the regularly underserved, marginalized, disenfranchised. We draw from their example a vision of the public good and common community that is our hope and objective.

More About Us

The Ikoku Trusts

We are independent, private, non-profit organizations that serve the public interest in Africa and its global diasporas — by advancing education and research and by also supporting creative ideas, civic communities, and emerging institutions.

— About Us

Nature, Scope, Means

Our founding mission and ongoing emphases of support are for good works that help the public understand Africa's essential place in a global future, one that is to be more knowledgeable, environmentally sound, and equitable, of deep benefit across communities in shared societies.

— Founding & Overview

Mission, Charitable Goals, Trust Areas

To this end, we are governed by a Board of Trustees and two differently dedicated Advisory Boards of Directors — a three-board system set out and defined in the original Declaration of Trust, where our founding and governing Code of Ethics is also delineated.

— Governance

Leadership, Boards, Corporate Documents

The policies provided above collectively constitute our Corporate Code of Conduct and User Agreement, which governs all work in and for, access to and use of, association with and reference to The Ikoku Charitable Trusts and The Ikoku Foundations. Please read them attentively.

— Policies

Terms of Use & Service, Code of Ethics

Take a look, and follow us, during media events we attend and the coverage that at times precedes them or ensues. You may also sign up for our newsletter, which will update you about news and events from the publics we serve.

— Press & Media

News, Events, Articles

Join us as a potential leader, staff, board or committee member, researcher or educator, contributor or volunteer. A career of doing good through the Ikoku Foundations and Foundations may be the perfect fit for you.

— Careers At Ikoku

Jobs, Volunteer, Research