Jordan Times
Thursday, May 28, 1998
Princess Basma highlights role of NGOs in development
By Suha Ma'ayeh
AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Wednesday opened the first national
meeting under a joint Jordanian-European project to look into ways to strengthen
cooperation between governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The meeting, organised by the Jordanian-European Information, Training and Technological
Support for NGOs (JETT) project in cooperation with the Queen Alia Fund for Social
Development, the Ministry of Social Development and the General Union of Voluntary
Societies, will discuss relations between the public sector and local and foreign NGOs
operating in Jordan. It will also focus on practical relations with counterpart groups in
European countries with a view to interacting with them and gaining expertise and
information in social development fields.
In her opening remarks, Princess Basma stressed the role of NGOs in the development
process.
She added that the objectives of development cannot be achieved unless people are
encouraged to participate, suitable conditions for self-reliance are provided, and the
proper programmes are given priority.
Ramon Mestres, economic counsellor of the European Commission (EC) delegation in Amman,
highlighted the importance of cooperation between the EC and NGOs, noting that “it
has kept pace with the solidarity shown by the citizens of Europe with the poor and
marginalised in developing countries.”
He said the EC contributes mainly through co-financing NGO-formulated programmes in
developing countries, conducting awareness programmes and campaigns on development issues
in Europe, and assisting in other specialised areas.
“NGOs are crucial to our development cooperation policy, which aims to make a real
contribution to eradicating poverty by substantially improving the lot of people in
developing countries,” Mr. Mestres said at the opening.
Michael Porksen, president of EuroCom, a German NGO charity organisation founded in 1989,
said such meetings are important because they tackle general issues and not specific
complaints.
“We hope that this meeting will initiate a series of annual meetings to discuss the
overall situation of NGO work in Jordan,” said Dr. Porksen.
Seven papers will be discussed during the two-day meeting focusing on NGO legislation,
relations and cooperation between governmental organisations and NGOs, and JETT and its
role in networking.