March 22, 2004
Governance and Poverty Reduction in the Arab Region: The Impact of Civil Society Organizations on Public Policy

LCPS organized a regional seminar on the impact of civil society organizations on public policies in the Arab region. The purpose was to share analyses and experiences about the current capacity of Arab civil society organizations to influence public policy and the conditions needed to empower them in their relationship with the state, public actors and other national stake holders.  The debate included issues such as the ability to build upon lessons learned from different projects and programs, the development of participative methods in programs and relationships, the building up of research and advocacy resources and skills, the capacity to formulate and promote policies and legislative ideas and alternatives, the need to develop associative or federative structures on a sectoral or national basis for pooling resources and expanding influence, and the possible supportive role of regional and international NGO networks.
The seminar was commissioned by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).