AMMAM (JT) — Some 300 NGO representatives from 70 nations will meet at the Dead Sea from November 30 to December 3 to discuss the integral role of civil society in creating a peaceful future that is conducive to the well-being of children, families, communities, nations, and the world.

Prominent international and national leaders from intergovernmental, governmental, and for-profit sectors — who share an interest in helping NGOs accomplish their vital tasks — will also participate in the World Congress of NGOs 2006, according to a statement released by the organisers.

WANGO (World Association of Non-Governmental Organisations) is an international association of NGOs, whose headquarters is at the United Nations Plaza in New York. Its mission is to serve its member organisations, providing the mechanism and support necessary for NGOs to work together.

Guided by the motto “Connecting and Serving NGOs Beyond Borders,” WANGO has become the leading umbrella organisation for NGOs, and its voice is heard and taken into account in international forums, the statement said.

The members of WANGO are mainly NGOs from 140 countries on the five continents.

The objectives of the conference are firstly, to increase awareness of the role of NGOs in promoting peace at all levels: Individual, family, society, nation and world, and secondly to bring leaders of NGOs together to address common concerns, tackle challenges of the sector, network together and help civil society be more effective in its mission.

The WANGO World Congress is the world’s largest gathering of NGOs dedicated to the ideals of service, world peace, strong families, and global well-being and serves as the centrepiece of the association’s activities.

It provides a unique opportunity for WANGO to offer NGOs the mechanism and support needed to connect, partner, share, inspire and multiply their contributions to solve humanity’s basic problems.

This year’s congress will be an important opportunity for representatives of NGOs, colleges and universities, governmental and intergovernmental agencies, funding bodies and corporations to meet, share innovative ideas and practices and build strategic partnerships that can help NGOs better fulfill their missions.

The congress is being convened by WANGO, the General Union for Voluntary Societies and the Universal Peace Federation.

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