Ministry workshop to discuss global standards
Alexander M. Arrackal
Staff Reporter
Bahrain plans to take non-governmental activity to the international level.
The Ministry for Social Development will meet the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Kingdom and the International Centre for Not-for-profit Law.
Assistant Undersecretary for Community Development, Waheed A Al Qassim, told the Tribune that the meeting would focus on the rules governing NGOs in Bahrain.
“We want to ensure that the rules conform to international standards,” he said.
Ministry workshop to discuss global standards
Alexander M. Arrackal
Staff Reporter
Bahrain plans to take non-governmental activity to the international level.
The Ministry for Social Development will meet the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Kingdom and the International Centre for Not-for-profit Law.
Assistant Undersecretary for Community Development, Waheed A Al Qassim, told the Tribune that the meeting would focus on the rules governing NGOs in Bahrain.
“We want to ensure that the rules conform to international standards,” he said.
“We have met the NGOs in Bahrain and taken their views on various subjects, including activities, financial dealings, areas of operation, laws governing them and how to enhance these laws,” Al Qassim said.
“Once the workshop is held and the final document is approved, we will have a document that will cover the global rules of non-governmental activity, with the specifics of what Bahrain will need to maintain,” he said.
“At the workshop we intend to discuss the notes we have made with the NGOs, government views and what the International Centre for Not-for-profit Law thinks so that we will be able to update laws governing NGOs. Bahrain has over 43 NGOs.”
The workshop will have long-term implications for the Kingdom, Al Qassim said.
There is a rule book to follow. Once we have such a document in place, it can be amended. But there has to be a stepping stone, he said.
“Also in view of the activities, including charity, of these NGOs, it is important to have a rule book. Although meant to carry out work that benefits people, some organisations also contribute to money-laundering. The activities of such groups are monitored by the Central Bank of Bahrain and Interpol. The new rule book will help us look at all or most of these issues,” Al Qassim said.
