Jordan Times
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Arab councils' regional
meeting opens Oct. 5
AMMAN (JT) — Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the International Year of
the Family, an Arab regional meeting will take place in Amman Oct. 5-6 with the
participation of the Arab councils and entities concerned with family affairs.
The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), in collaboration with the Arab
League, the Arab Family Organisation (AFO) and the United Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), is organising the event, held under
the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania, president of the NCFA.
The meeting seeks to empower Arab councils and entities concerned with family
affairs to enable them to carry out their roles in enhancing the capacities and
skills of Arab families, develop coordination mechanisms between such entities,
encourage the exchange of information and experience between them, in addition
to reviewing legislation in Arab countries geared towards the enhancement of the
Arab family.
The meeting, which will discuss the role of civil society organisations in
empowering the Arab family, is an initiative of the NCFA. Youth, aged 18-25
years, from various Arab councils and entities, have been invited to participate
in the meeting in order to make sure that their active participation and input
is heard.
Holding the Arab Regional Meeting stems from the participatory approach adopted
by the NCFA in working with all entities, at the national, regional and
international levels, in order to complement efforts in the field.
Various experiences pertaining to themes related to family issues, mechanisms,
frameworks for coordination between governmental, civil and private sector
institutions, policies and legislation as well as civil society initiatives will
be presented by each country as the main themes for discussion.