KABUL, AFGHANISTAN- On May 13, 2006 Counterpart International, a prime-contractor of the United States for International Development (USAID), in partnership with other NGOs, conducted a seminar to raise awareness among members of the National Assembly of the role that NGOs play in the development of Afghanistan at Intercontinental hotel, Kabul.

 

On May 13, 2006 Counterpart International, a prime-contractor of the United States for International Development (USAID), in partnership with ICNL and NGO umbrella organizations, conducted a seminar at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on NGO Law and NGO Code of Conduct to raise awareness among members of the National Assembly of the role that NGOs play in the development of Afghanistan.

 

Around 150 participants included 14 members of the National Economic Commission of the National Assembly, representatives from the line Ministries including Ministry of Economy / the NGO Department officials, donor community members and a large contingent of NGO representatives attended the seminar.

 

“For much of the past generation NGOs helped to hold Afghan society together, providing critical humanitarian assistance during the Soviet invasion, the civil war and the Taliban period,” stated Barry Primm, USAID Deputy Mission Director.

 

“USAID/Afghanistan is fully committed to providing long term assistance to Afghan NGOs and civil society organizations to build their capacity to be effective, transparent and accountable,” he said. “Based on our own national experience, we support a strong civil society as a key ingredient of democracy and development.”

 

Since 2005, the NGO sector has been severely criticized by the people of Afghanistan due to either their weak performances or misperception of the term NGOs.  To address issues raised by the government and the public at large, the Afghan Government enacted a new Law on NGOs in June 2005.  NGO umbrella groups have taken the initiative to ensure improved NGO performance through the development and adoption of an NGO Code of Conduct and an NGO Image Working Group.