Report :

I was nominated by the Egyptian Liberal Lawyers Union to participate in the seminar organized by FNSt held in the International Academy for Leadership during 9-21 November 2008, which was titled "Politics and Civil Society: The Role of NGOs and Political Parties"

The seminar started on Sunday November 9 with the arrival of the participants from 14 different countries: Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Malaysia, South Africa, Palestine, Pakistan, India, Peru, Argentina, Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. All participants were either party or NGO members. The organizers introduced the participants to the Academy and the stay, then they reviewed the program and the agenda.

Monday, November 10 involved the introduction by the participants and workshops were planned through which every participant would introduce his/her political party or NGO. Some time was dedicated for questions from the participants for further clarifications about the organizations. The presentations were made on respective geographical basis: Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, South Asia, and South East Asia.

Tuesday November 11 - after the introductions were completed, the participants were divided into working groups within the framework of a workshop about the major features of NGOs and political parties. Every group presented the pros and cons of each organization type (NGO or political party), the method of acting their roles, and the achievements that could be fulfilled, as well as the problems that could be faced.

Wednesday November 12 – we had a meeting with Mr. Peter Ring from Association of German development non-governmental organizations (VENRO), which is a league for German non-governmental organizations. Mr. Ring talked to us about this association, activities, and membership requirements. In the evening we had a tour in the city of Cologne.

Thursday November 13 – the participants were divided into groups to give presentations about the manner for cooperation among NGOs and political parties.

Friday November 14 – the possibility for discussing the various possibilities for this cooperation, mechanisms of implementation, as well as the potential areas for cooperation.

Saturday November 15 - we left for the city of Weimar, where we had a tour and then we went to the Nazi concentration camp in the city of Buchenwald, and we finally visited the city of Dresden.

Sunday November 16 – we had a tour in Dresden and we attended a lecture given by Dr.-Ing. Hans-Joachim Jäger about the rebuilding of the Lady’s Church after its destruction during World War II.

Monday November 17 – we had a tour in the church and then we visited the Technology University in Dresden where we listened to a lecture by Prof. Dr. Werner J. Patzelt about political parties and parliamentary work in Germany.

Tuesday November 18 – we left to Erfurt where we had a lecture by Mr. Peter Fräbel, the mayor of the town of Floh-Seligenthal about the liberal success on the level of local government in Germany, and we were back in Gummersbach at 8 pm exactly.

Wednesday November 19 – we evaluated the trip and we were divided into working groups to discuss potential cooperation among NGOs and political parties in all societies. Some groups discussed supposed cooperation in the turbulent societies, while other groups discussed possible cooperation in their own countries.

Thursday November 20 – the remaining presentations were discussed and the seminar was evaluated.

NB: generally the seminar was very useful because it focused on the manner for the creation of successful NGOs as well as saving the political parties in developing countries generally, and in the participating countries in particular, from the frequent crises. Also the seminar indicated the means for establishing a successful cooperation among NGOs and political parties.