United Group

This conference comes in the framework of a series of extensive legal discussion meetings, implemented by the United Group titled "Abusing the Law." They are dedicated to discussing the problems and legal violations of the administrative body with regard to applying the provisions of the Law of Associations.

This conference was dedicated to discussing the current challenges encountered by NGOs with regard to receiving funds, in the light of the fierce media attack exercised by state agencies against NGOs.

The discussions  took place over three separate sessions:

- The first session discussed the legal and practical problems facing NGOs in receiving funds.

- The second session discussed the reasons that make civil society activists resort to establishing civil or law firms instead of NGOs so as to escape the complications of the Law of Associations

- The third session discussed the fierce attack exercised by state agencies against civil society and NGOs with regard to receiving funds.

The  conference was attended by the representatives of more than 100 major NGOs from twelve different governorates, in addition to representatives of some centers and institutes that were established as civil or law firms, and the representatives of several foreign bodies in egypt..

The conference was held on Monday September 19, from 10:30 am till 05:30 pm, at Safir Hotel, Dokki.

Click here to download the Arabic version of the background papers discussed during the conference

In the scope of the project "Empowering Civil Society and the Legal Profession" (ECSLP), implemented by the United Group with the support of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), which aims to provide legal support for NGOs, the United Group organized a consultative meeting with the Heads of the Regional Unions of NGOs of Dakahlia, Gharbia, Behera, Minya, Qalubia, Fayoum, Cairo, Beni Suef, Port Said and Aswan.

The aim of this meeting was to come up with an action plan for the next stage within the framework of the objectives of the project, which seeks to raise legal awareness among NGOs and support them through legal consultations, judicial support, as well as organizing raising awareness meetings, conferences and different trainings for a number of NGOs all over the different governorates.

Furthermore, the meeting sought to come up with an executive mechanism for implementing Phase III of the "Empowering Civil Society and the Legal Profession." The attendees expressed their opinions through discussions with the Heads of the Regional Unions of NGOs and the prior studies made by the representatives of the United Group.

The attendees agreed to select old associations by 40% and newly established associations by 60% to participate in the intended conferences, raising awareness meetings, and trainings, as well as continuing the cooperation with field lawyers.