CACIM was set up in 2001 as an experimental informal association named “Critical Action” (CA) between scholar-activists in different parts of the world, who were pursuing research into and were directly involved in the history and dynamics of social and political movements.
Based on this preliminary collaboration, CACIM was formally established in 2005, with the ambition to be a hub within existing and emerging networks among individuals and organisations. Since then, CACIM has done a substantial amount of work in support of movements, encouraged critical debates in and around them and conducted important theorising work (on cultures and spaces of politics for example) and expanded into other domains.
CACIM, being a “living organism”, has evolved in this period, by incorporating new members, nurturing new initiatives and also by responding to the emerging needs of movements, who have faced important challenges over the years.
Striking issues have progressively been added to our work, mainly on “Rights, Resources and Accountability” & “Marginalities, Democracy and Power” while we have maintained the core principles of the work. The two initial focus areas “Information / Culture / Technology” and “Building Bridges” have now found expression in other developing programmes around the world of “Global Finance / Capital and Multilateral Institutions” and more continues to emerge.