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A restrictive NGO law was withdrawn from the parliament in January 2008 and another restrictive endorsed NGO law will be re-sent to the parliament for amendments in Jordan.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