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Jordan’s Former Prime Minister Mr. Taher Al-Masri has been appointed to the post of a Civil Society Commissioner in the Arab League, a position that was created in 2003. In an interview with the Middle Eastern Studies Journal he explains the commission’s policies in developing civil society institutions, and stresses their role in the Arab world. “The commission is working on elevating to the partnership level the relationship between Arab governments and civil society institutions,” Mr. A1 Masri said. He criticized what he saw as the negative role of some Arab governments who are not yet ready to yield part of their responsibility to such civil institutions. Al-Masri addresses the financial problem that faces most civil society institutions in the Arab world, stressing that his commission will establish a special fund to enhance those institutions in achieving their goals and talks about the networking plan outlined by his commission, and for civil society institutions in different countries. The success of this program will guarantee an observer membership to these institutions in the Arab League and in making sure that their voice is heard.
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