The representatives, who discussed various issues on education, social, political and economic reforms in the Arab and North African countries, stressed the need for peaceful mechanisms and transparency to regulate the functioning of institutions if the Arab world was to take its step towards democratic reform.

Further, participants stressed the need for Arab countries to pass legislation dealing with the right to access information into the internal workings of government.

The issue of Arab governments and civil societies failure to embrace the principles of good governance and respect the red lines that confine politics to an institutional framework was also addressed.

Officials, however noted that all this could only be accomplished when the relationship between citizens and the state is strengthened through popular participation in decision-making, the establishment of alliances between governments and legislative bodies on the one hand and the private sector and civil society organisations on the other, ensuring the independence of public institutions, and embarking on a balanced development plan.

An important step towards achieving the first goal would be to press governments to pass fairer and more democratic electoral laws that would allow citizens to elect representatives who are willing to hold governments accountable.

Addressing the opening session, Khalid Al Hosani, Coordinator of the National Organisation Committee for the Civil Society in UAE, in his keynote address urged the need to exchange expertise and ideas for speedy transformation of the civil societies in the region.

“It’s not enough to say that the role of the civil society is very crucial to development and reforms. We must think further on how to develop our abilities, beware of our responsibilities, and setting our priorities on the highest national levels,” he said.

Ezzeldin Al Asbahy, Head of Information Centre for Human Rights in Yemen said, “we can’t take any step forward and become effective in making history without freedom and dignity and democratic regimes that represent people’s well being and embraces their partnership in decision making.”

On the same note, Taher Al Masri, authorised by the Arab League for Civil Societies, said in his speech that the talk about a conflict between civil society and governments is absolutely non-feasible, and this is because governments represent the management of resources.

“Arab civil society institutions are facing serious challenges, such as the fact that they contend with occupations in Palestine and Iraq, in addition to the poverty and development issues, which are affecting the Arab citizens throughout the Arab world. The civil society must respond to these challenges cautiously,” Al Masri added.

Said Essoulami, Executive Director of Centre for Media Freedom, Morocco addressing a session said “Right to information by the public will be one of the main recommendations made by civil societies at this year’s Forum for the Future hosted by the UAE.”

“Nearly 88 countries across the world have given public the access to information and in the Arab world, only Jordon has acknowledged this right.

It is necessary for this forum to push Arab governments to guarantee this right,” he noted, adding that that it was imperative to equip the public with the right to access to information held by public authorities and the private sector.”

Highlighting UAE’s achievements following a meeting held in Dubai in June this year, Yusuf Al Hassan, Civil Society Coordinator at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the governments and civil society have partnered in the development of the country to achieve the supreme interest of civil societies, as well as prosperity, justice and progress in the region.

The country has developed national jurisdictions to protect human rights. The country has also combatted human trafficking, protected expatriate labour rights as well as organised its labour force in development projects . UAE has also empowered women and increased women representation in the government and judicial authority and has opened education avenues and jobs, he added.

meraj@khaleejtimes.com