with the support of the EU
The Project
Enhancing Legal Framework of Associations in the Arab World through National Dialogue and Empowerment of Civil Society
2007 – 2009
Countries Involved
Jordan SyriaLebanon Palestine Egypt Outreach to morocco, Algeria, Tunisia
Laws involved
NGO LawPolitical Party LawLabor Union Law
These laws are believed to impact on the democratic transformation in concerned countries
Objectives:
1.Strengthen the rule of law and democratic processes through the creation and adoption of minimum internationally acceptable guidelines governing NGOs, trade unions and political parties in close consultation between different stakeholders nationally and regionally
Objectives:
2. Creating partnership among CSOs including moderate Islamic groups, and between CSOs and their governments on a national and regional level through the promotion of an active ongoing dialogue focusing on the guidelines mentioned above.
Objectives:
3. To improve CSOs performance, image and relations with the government and with their constituencies through the adoption of internal good governance principles:
A Code of Conduct for NGOs A Charter on Democratic Practices for political
parties A Code of Conduct for workers associations
Objectives:
4. Initiate and strengthen partnerships between lobbying and advocacy groups and grass-root organisations (Egypt and Jordan's campaign to amend the NGO law)
Objectives:
5. Laws and legislations are amended in close cooperation between well informed CSOs and governments open to dialogue (special and direct interventions)
Means
National and regional conferences Workshops Focus group meetings involving different
stakeholders Campaigns Lobbying and advocacy All inclusive approach
Hindrances
Tensed political conditions (war in Gaza, street wars in Beirut, Fateh and Hamas hostilities)
Absence of political will among governments to enter into real dialogue with CSOs
Lack of supportive regional and international environment (war on terrorism, political Islam, etc.. )
Some of the project’s achievements:
The recommendation of the Arab League summit in Kuwait to develop CSOs relations and enhance dialogue
NCHR in Jordan was given the right to review all laws
before being submitted to Parliament
A restrictive NGO law was withdrawn from the parliament in January 2008 and another restrictive endorsed NGO law will be re-sent to the parliament for amendments in Jordan.
The book “Guiding Principles on Freedom of Association in the Arab World” is the first of its kind as a reference to legislators and governments.
The book has been printed and distributed in Syria
Enough funding secured and the book was produced in English and distributed to embassies and foreign foundations working in the region.
Why are we here?
To announce the birth of the Arab Council for Freedom of Association (ACFA)
Why are we here?
To launch the first publication of ACFA
A book containing 9 reports on FoA in nine Arab countries.
Why are we here?
To network and learn from other experiences
To reach recommendations and
To draw a roadmap for the future