|
Professor Mahassen M. Hassanin
National
NGO Commission for Population
and Development (NCPD), Egypt
Strengthening Civil Society Organisations -
Egypt, a case study
Professor Hassanin reviewed the work of
voluntary organisations in Egypt over the last decade, explaining
the process of their transformation from charitable to development
organisations.
The presentation discussed the various procedures adopted in the
social field, after the Copenhagen Summit, the most important of
which was strengthening the work of NGOs through capacity building
and the establishment of many new organisations, now totalling over
15,000 indigenous NGOs.
Professor Hassanin drew attention to the important
experience NGOs have gained at the grassroots level in implementing
community-based projects and how they can fulfil an experimental
role for future government services. Professor Hassanin also illustrated
how NGOs can develop cost-effective models for future services.
She noted that, with the introduction of structural adjustment programmes
in Egypt and new economic conditions, NGOs were increasingly being
asked to fill gaps in government services. However, civil society
organisations did have weaknesses, particularly in their capacity
to manage projects effectively, their limited funding base and legal
constraints on their activities.
Professor Hassanin also noted how NGOs had traditionally
strengthened the roles of women in the design and execution of community-based
projects and had prioritised women’s access to credit and greater
involvement in economic activities.
Professor Hassanin drew attention to the
importance of building bridges with government at the local, regional
and national levels. She illustrated how implementing health projects
serving the poor in remote areas through participatory methods was
a good example of positive partnership with the government.
Professor
Mahassen Mustafa Hassanin is currently Programme Manager of
the National NGO Commission for Population and Development in Cairo
where she runs a programme of support to Egyptian NGOs working towards
the implementation of the International Conference on Population
and Development.
|
