PHILOSOPHY/STATEMENT OF BELIEF | GOALS | OBJECTIVES

The NGO Forum is founded on the belief that broad based, nation-wide, citizen partcipation is necessary for sustainable national development, and its mission is predicated on structured citizen action through civil society organisations. Further, it is the belief of the members of the NGO Forum that civil society organisations have an equal, and as important, role as the goverment and private sector in national development; and that civil society, along with government and private sector, should work towards a tripartite approach to national policy making.

1. To promote the development of the NGO Sector

1.1 Build capacity and facilitate institutional Strengthening

1.2 Create Enabling Environment

1.3 Build networks of NGOs at local and international level.

 2. To promote Increased Citizen Participation 2.1 Promote dialogue with government, private sector and among NGOs

2.2 Increase citizen support for and participation in programmes and activities of NGOs

2.3 Organise citizen fora on national development issues

2.4 Promote lobbying as a valid advocacy technique among NGOs

2.5 Promote citizen participation in general

 3. To Promote Sustainable Human Development
 
 

4. ToBuild Sustainability of the NGO Forum

4.1 Develop good governance systems and organisational structure

4.2 Develop capacity to access adequate human and material resources

4.3 Engage in strategic planning

4.4 Achieve highest level of accountability

4.5 Expand membership

4.6 Establish national NGO Centre
 
 

1.1.1 Assist member organisations to develop strategic plan in participatory way with support from BCCP, and GVC, by June 1999

1.1.2 Promote good governance among member organisations by encouraging realisation of 75% of statutory meetings (AGM, Board/ExCoCouncil meetings, Statutory and Committee Meetings) and achievement of 75% attendancethereof for 18 months ending June 1999

1.1.3 Obtain situation where 50% of member organisations produce audited financial statements by April 1999

1.1.4 Organise at least 1 training programme per year in each of the following areas:

a. Membership development

b. Project planning

c. Fundraising

d. Strategic planning

e. Accounting

f. Basic management

g. Lobbying

 1.2.1 Draft NGO legislation by December 1998 inconsultation with relevant government agencies, private sector organisations and NGO community, with the assistance of USAID and International Centre for Non-profit Law. Ensure provisions included for: a. Tax exempt status for NGOs

b. Duty concessions for NGOs

c. NGO registration

d. Tax deductible donations by private sector entities and foundations

e. Establishment of granting making foundations and contributions thereto

 1.2.2 Promote establishment of Volunteer Programme in Schools

1.2.3 Promote establishment of Volunteer Programme in private sector entities

1.2.4 Develop corporate Board placement programme for senior executives within the private sector and make 20 new placements by June 1999

1.2.5 Promote NGO Forum as primary conduit for donor assistance to the NGO community by June 1999

1.2.6 Encourage establishment of NGO desk within relevant government ministry and achieve by December 1998

2.2.1 Increase participation in and support of NGO programmes and activities by 200% by June 1999 according to the following measurement scheme:

a. Annual number of persons who participated in some way

b. No of person hours of partcipation in a community activity

c. No of persons who became involved in an NGO or NGO programme in a sustained way.

 2.3.1 Organise at least one citizen forum in each Region in any of the following topics by June 1999: a. Sustainable development

b. Environment

c. Constitional reform

d. Race relations

e. Youth and development

f. Gender equity

g. Indigenous people’srights

h. Consumer’s rights

i. Disabilities

 2.3.2 Publication of Newsletter to support citizen fora programme

2.4.1 Achieve 5 lobby initiatives on new issues; 20 new lobby activities and 50% succesful resolution rate by June 1999

3.1 Conduct least 2 activities to define and promote principles of sustainable human development in each of the ten Regions by June 1999.

4.1.1 Good governance

4.1.2 Access resources

4.1.3 Strategic/Business plan

4.1.4 Accountability

4.1.5 Membership Development

4.1.6 NGO Centre

4.1.7 Newsletter for Members

For more information :
E-mail: ngoguyana@sdnp.org.gy