INCM hosts meeting on NGOs
KUWAIT CITY: A multi-party system will create unstable governments leading to frequent changes in the Cabinet, Al-Rai Al-Aam quoted Chairperson of Women Development and Training Institute Kawsar Al-Jawaan as saying. "Diwaniyas, where people exchange ideas, discuss the performance of the government and the system of governance, are the ideal substitutes for multi-party system in Kuwait," she added. Addressing the Third Annual Consensus Meeting organized by the Islamic National Consensus Movement (INCM), Al-Jawaan said "multi-party system has failed in the Arab world, where democracy is yet to take roots. Existing Arab leaders and their parties are not allowing new parties to come up and prove their capability to the public."
The meeting was held at Crowne Plaza Hotel under the title "NGOs and National Development" under the patronage of Board Chairman of Bu Khamees Holding Group Jawad Ahmed Bu Khamees. Manager of the meeting Daari Al-Shemali said "this meeting has been arranged to enable INCM achieve its objective of improving the Kuwaiti society." Stressing the importance of non-governmental organizations in social development, he said "the government should implement administrative reforms and voluntary works should be carried out only according to the rules and regulations of the country." Indicating all over the world NGOs help their respective governments prepare their internal and foreign policies, Al-Shemali said "Islam is not only a religion but also a law to lead to a better society."
Al-Shemali urged NGOs in the country to assist the government in developing the society, and educating the public on culture and politics, adding "economic development of Kuwait should be an important target for local NGOs. They should ensure all segments of the society are developed and educated." Lamenting NGOs in Kuwait are not well organized, he said "a majority of the citizens do not know the meaning of NGO." Constitutional expert Dr Mohammed Al-Fieli said "political parties mean different things to different people in Kuwait. Some people believe political parties are nothing but a shortcut to reach top positions." He said granting political rights to women will increase the number of voters and will be a major factor in changing the political system of Kuwait, adding "the weak performance of the Parliament is an obstacle for political and administrative reforms. "In the Arab world political parties don't know the meaning of multi-party system as they are unable to share the power," he said. "In Arab countries only a single party under single man stays in power for a long time."
© Arab Times 2006
