BUILDING BRIDGES: ENGAGING CIVIL SOCIETY FROM MUSLIM COUNTRIES AND COMMUNITIES WITH THE MULTILATERAL SPHERE

This project was initiated in 2005. The assessment within FIM leading to this project was that the voice of civil society from the Muslim world is often absent from, or poorly represented within, dialogue with multilateral bodies. Thus the overarching aim of this project is to open the way for Civil Society from Muslim countries and communities to have an effective voice in influencing multilateral policies and projects. Seven meetings have been convened so far: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in January of 2006; Doha, Qatar in November of 2006; Amman, Jordan in January of 2007; Dhaka, Bangladesh in October 2007; Thiès, Senegal in March of 2008; Lahore, Pakistan in November 2008 and Cairo, Egypt in December 2008.

These workshops and discussions led to identification of two priority outcomes for the project, namely:

• CSO (Civil Society Organization) accreditation within the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) and

• Increased influence of civil society from OIC and other Muslim communities on the UN.

Over the past two years, the Project foundation has been established and significant momentum has been gained. Achievements have included the creation and dissemination of original knowledge on the OIC and relevant consultative modalities; the establishment of a growing alliance of over seventy CSOs, the majority from OIC member states; the convening of country meetings in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Senegal, and establishment of a nine member Coordinating Council and decentralized project structure. The next Building Bridges meeting will be held in Beirut, Lebanon in June of 2009.

Click here for the Building Bridges Project Overview April 2009 >

REPORTS

	Building Bridges – Lahore – November 2008
	Building Bridges – Thiès – March 2008
	Building Bridges - Dhaka - October 2007
	Building Bridges - Amman - January 2007
	Building Bridges - Doha - October 2006
	Building Bridges - Kuala Lumpur - January 2006

PRESENTATIONS AND PAPERS

	OIC Overview and Analysis
	A Study of Formal Relationships between CS and Multilateral Bodies
	An Orientation to the OIC and Civil Society Engagement in Muslim Communities and Countries

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