MLSD Minister Sponsors the Graduation Ceremony of 244 Trainees in the Financial Management Program for NGOs

14-08-2021

Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the Ministry organised a graduation ceremony for 244 trainees in the Financial Management Programme (ETP) for NGOs and similar organisations, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Administration (BIPA), a number of private‑sector establishments and specialised professional associations. The ceremony was held via electronic videoconferencing technology, with the participation of the Director‑General of the Institute of Public Administration, Dr Raed Mohammed bin Shams, and a number of relevant governmental, private and civil society organisations. The training programme, the first of its kind, aims to enhance the capabilities of civil society workers to manage their development institutions efficiently and competently, enabling them to manage their organisations’ funds professionally, in addition to protecting them from exploitation in the fields of money‑laundering and terrorist financing. This initiative accords with the eighth recommendation of the Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), concerned with combating the financing of terrorism in the non‑profit sector, and enables civil society workers to obtain a professional certificate in managing these organisations’ funds. The programme is delivered through an electronic platform established by the Institute of Public Administration to implement training programmes directed at NGOs. On this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, congratulated the graduates who successfully completed the training and obtained the professional certificate in managing NGOs’ funds. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Institute of Public Administration and the programme sponsors, which have contributed to qualifying and empowering employees of NGOs to manage their organisations’ funds effectively and professionally, in accordance with local and international laws. The Minister underscored the importance of such joint initiatives between the public and private sectors, through which many development goals are realised, in addition to supporting and assisting civil society organisations in managing their financial and legal affairs. He noted that this initiative, implemented through community partnership among the government, private and civil sectors, reflects the esteemed Government’s orientation to strengthen the development process, overcome challenges and raise institutional performance through constructive cooperation among the relevant parties. He expressed hope that this cooperation would continue in a manner that advances financial practices of NGOs in their dealings with internal and external stakeholders, while supporting the civil sector and enabling it to perform its role in community development. His Excellency further noted that the success achieved by this joint initiative is among the most notable successful practices presented by the Kingdom of Bahrain in its report to MENAFATF, confirming implementation of the eighth recommendation in this regard and ensuring that these organisations are able to manage their funds professionally and protect them from exploitation. In his address, the Director‑General of the Institute of Public Administration, Dr Raed Mohammed bin Shams, highlighted the shared strategic vision uniting the Institute and the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, reflected in their community partnership. This led to the establishment of an electronic training platform serving NGOs, which is being further developed to meet current and future needs. He underscored the importance of the Financial Management Certificate for NGOs, presented via this platform, in raising the efficiency of national cadres and qualifying them to manage administrative and financial work systems in line with development aspirations. He added that the Ministry’s efforts are clearly evident in embracing NGOs and providing appropriate support aligned with current requirements, culminating in the graduation of an elite cohort capable of managing the financial operations of NGOs with professionalism and expertise.