|
The NGO week Organizing Committee is an ad hoc body made of selected Civil Society
Organizations and the NGO Coordination Board. It was formed to spearhead the activities
of this year’s NGO week to be held between
16th – 18th September 2009 at the KICC grounds.
The organizations represented in the committee include: -
NGOs Coordination Board, Undugu Society of Kenya, Action Aid, Poverty Eradication
Network (PEN), Cordaid, Pact Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Kenya
Alliance for the Advancement of Children, UN Millennium Campaign, SISA Center for
Corporate Partnership, International Rescue Committee Hope worldwide Kenya , Oxfam
GB, Binti Africa,Plan International, A Global Public Healthcare Foundation, International
Rescue Committee and Arid Lands Information Network.
The committee has opened an account hosted by Undugu Society of Kenya and will be
accountable for all the resources mobilized for this event and will publish its
accounts for reference with a detailed financial report.
Why the NGO Week.
NGOs continue to play a pivotal role in the Socio-economic development of Kenya.
They operate virtually in all sectors of the economy including health, education,
governance, environment, human rights, HIV/AIDS, Micro finance just to name a few
and have strong networks and operations at the grassroots, regional, national and
International levels.
To date, there are over 5000 registered NGOs in Kenya, directly employing over 100000
Kenyans and contributing approximately 80 billion shillings annually towards the
economy. It is based on the above that the idea of the NGO Week was conceived to
act as a platform to network, share experiences, and build partnership with others.
The inaugural NGO week was
held in 2006 and has since been held annually and recorded good participation of
NGOs from across the country.
|
The NGO Week 2009
The NGOs week 2009 is organized against a backdrop of Kenya’s darkest moments that
was the post election violence and this happens at a time when the country is beginning
the process of reviewing the constitution, institutions national healing and reconciliation.
After the Post Elections Conflict, Civil society groups were instrumental in mediation
talks and provided useful information to the Koffi Annan- led team. As the momentum
for implementation of the agreements by the Coalition Government leaders picks up,
Civil Society groups are expected to play a significant role in advocating for reforms
around land, new constitution, electoral processes , devolution of power and resources
and reforms of our national institutions such as the police force and the judiciary.
The theme of NGO week 2009 is derived on the need for NGOs to create a strong voice
in the socio economic development of the Country through effective participation
in reforms.
The theme
Enhancing Capacity
and Competency for Reforms rallies CSOs,
Development partners, Government and Corporate partners to play a substantial role
in supplementing and complementing the government’s efforts to develop Kenya and
to ensure that gains brought about by the development have a human face.
This year’s NGO week also provides an opportunity for the
public to engage in some of the topics related to agenda 4 reforms of the national
accord. This will be made possible through the different workshops and seminars
organized.
The Objectives of the NGO week 2009 are: -
i) Highlight NGO activities to other development stakeholders
and the public.
|
ii)
Establish a better working relationship between the NGOs, Government and Corporate
sector.
iii)
Discuss the challenges affecting the sector and how to overcome them.
iv)
Provide a platform for experience sharing and identify good practices from within
the sector.
v)
Build a critical mass of CSOs who can play a key role in reforms
Activities
i) Official launch of the NGO Week 2009
ii)
Media events
iii)
Soccer tournament and match between select NGO side and
Bunge FC
iv)
Discussion and Networking forums – on reforms
v)
Exhibitions by over 200 NGOs across the Country.
The exhibition booth measures 3 by 3 metres square feet booth and cost Ksh60,000/= (sixty
thousand) for the private sector and
Ksh30,000/= (thirty
thousand) for the NGO sector.
Who can participate?
NGOs
Other CSOs e.g. Trusts, Foundations, Faith-Based Organizations
Private Companies
Government Departments
Parastatals
Donor Agencies
Societies
Individual Philanthropists
How is the event organized?
An organizing committee made up of persons selected from organizations listed in
the above categories meets regularly to plan the event. The secretariat of the NGOs
week is at the NGOs Coordination Board’s Offices.
|