Minutes of meetings :

First Meeting of the AFF (Arab Foundations Forum)

 May 21, 2006

Location: Welfare Association Offices

Brief of the minutes of meeting:

Attendees:

  • Sallama Namani, Makhzoumi Foundation
  • Ziad Khalaf, Qattan Foundation
  • Yousry Mustafa, Arab Human Rights Fund
  • Marwan Awartani, UEF (Universal Education Foundation)
  • Atallah Kuttab, Welfare Association
  • Mona Karram, AFF
  • Iyman Abu Rus

Agreed on the following points:

Meaning of Foundation:

Foundations are independent, separately- constituted non-profit bodies with their own      established and reliable source of income, usually but not exclusively from an endowment, and their own governing board. Their mission and objectives include the performance of work and support for public benefit purposes, either by supporting associations, institutions, NGOs, or individuals etc., or by operating their own programs.

The Following Points were discussed and agreed on:

  • Agreed that this is the first Forum for the AFA initiative.
  • Agreed that this Forum would change to either an Alliance or Net Working Foundations.
  • Agreed not to invite any of the governmental organization in the next Forum.
  • Agreed to create a Steering Committee in the next forum
  • Enhance the effectiveness of the foundations that are participants and this will be discussed in the next Forum.
  • Agreed that next Forum will be in September or October.
  • Discussed who are the participants of the next Forum, and how to make them a part of this Forum that can be in the future either an Alliance or a Net working Foundations.
  • Discussed code of practice/ethics/principles. This topic will be discussed in the next Forum
  • Discussed whom to invite for the next Forum from the EFC for the awareness on the usefulness of foundation network.
  • Discussed various key questions.

Summary of the discussion regarding some important key questions:

Questions were divided into four main parts:

The first part is to do with the importance of the forum.

Here are the main points.

  • Benefits of the forum in terms of exchanging experiences among different foundations especially if this forum turns to be an Alliance or Net working Foundations.
  • Do we really need in the Arab World to have an initiative like this!
  • How can this forum if it turns to be an alliance or net working can be effective in the field of social justice philanthropy.
  • Aims of this forum.
  • What is the message that this forum is trying to convey, can we implement this message, and who are the participants!
  • The importance of this forum to be apart of the world Alliance foundations
The second part of the discussion:
Here are the main points:
  • The definition of foundations and its role, and what are the membership policies if it turns to be an alliance or net working foundations..
  • How to be able to identify good practice and develop share tools and concepts.
  • Who to invite to the next forum, and if foundations that were present should invite other foundations from their own countries.
  • Who are the foundations that should not be a part of the AFA.
  • What are the experiences that were shared among the existing foundations?
The third part of the discussion:
Here are the main points
  • What are the steps that this forum should follow especially if it turns to be an alliance or net working foundations.
  • Discussed how to establish and promote among foundations code of ethics/ practice/principle.
  • What are the obstacles that might face this forum
The forth part of the discussion:
Media and Communication and how they can play a big role if this forum turns to be an alliance or net working foundations.

The second meeting of the AFF
 
Oct 16th 2006
Location: Welfare Association Offices

Brief of the minutes of meeting:

 Names of the participants:

  • Ms.Sallama Numani, Makhzoumi Foundation in Lebanon.
  • Mr.Ziad Khalaf, Qattan Foundation in Palestine.
  • Mr.Marwan Awartnai, Universal Education Foundation in Palestine.
  • Dr.Atallah Kuttab, Welfare Association in Jordan.
  • Mona Karram, AFF.
  • Mrs.Maha Khatib, Jordan River Foundation (Main Offices) Amman – Jordan.
  • Mr.Fateh Azzam, Human right office of the Middle East, Arab Fund for human right.

 Agreed on the Following Points

This Forum will be called:
                                    The Arab Foundation Forum.

AFF 's Mission

To be a forum of dialogue, exchange of experience and networking, to increase awareness of social responsibility and the importance of capitalizing on private funding for the benefit of the public. The forum will also work on enhancing social development justice by providing a climate suitable for a healthy institutional work based on the principals of transparency and accountability.

Forum Members

Foundations that are independent, separately-constituted non profit bodies with their own established and reliable source of income, usually but not exclusively from an endowment, and their own governing (board of Trustees, General Assembly, and Executive Committee. Their mission and objectives include the performance of work and support for public benefit purposes, either by supporting associations, institutions, NGOs, or individuals etc., or by operating their own programs.

Forum activities

  • To support foundations working in the field of philanthropy for the purpose of achieving social justice.
  • To enhance and to promote the inter-institutional co-operation and exchange of experience.
  • To find or establish strategic partners between participating originations and other sectors such as the banking and consultancy sectors.
  • To participate in various world Forums for mutual benefit and connecting our network with other networks which will be reflected on alliances and foundations alike.
  •  To provide individuals donators with information on grant making foundations donors that works in the field of social development.
  • To encourage foundations to participate in the Forum and introduce them to other foundations working in this field.
  • To suggest new initiatives that support the work and insures continuity of foundations members on one part as well as encourage social development work on the other.
  • To increase awareness in the principals of social justices, in particular with the wealthy members and how important is their role towards the community.
  • To develop the basic ethical procedures and codes of conduct for foundations such as transparency, accountability, and fairness and open management…with focus on justice of public policy, and helping foundations in this field is an effective factor for its work continuity and for maintaining a healthy environment.

The third meeting:

 Date: 20/2/2007

 Location: Welfare Association offices

Brief of the minutes of meeting

 Names of the participants:

1-.Sallama Numani , She is responsible for the Makhzoumi Foundation in Lebanon.

2- Ziad Khalaf, Executive Director of Qattan Fundation in Palestine.

3. Yousry Moustafa, a member representative for the Arab Human Rights Fund in Egypt.

4- Dr.Atallah Kuttab, Director General of Welfare Association in Jordan.

5- Mona Karram, a consultant for the AFF.

6- Hossam Badrawi, Chairman for Nile Badrawi Group, Chair-Buisnes Secretariat, chair-Education Committee.

7- Dema Bibi, CEO for Injaz (Injaz for Economic Opportunities for Jordanian Youth).

8- Nelly Senyonga, Executive Director of Medicare (the first health maintenance organization in Egypt).

Note: Four members apologized due to personal circumstances.

The Following names did not attend:

Maha Khatib, Director General for Jordan River Foundation, Jordan

Marwan Awatani, Secretary General for Universal Education Foundation in Palestine.

Fateh Azzam, Regional Representative for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human right in the Middle East, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Arab Fund for Human Rights.

Fadi yark, Executive director for Rene Maoud Foundation, Lebanon.

Agreed on the Following Points:

  • Maha Al Birjes (The Secretary General of the Kuwaiti Graduates Society) to be a member of this Forum.
  • Instruct the responsibility of each member to prepare a list of names of Foundations located in his or her country and to give a brief about the profile of these Foundations.
  •  Combine and modify the objectives and the activities of the AFF.
  • Prepare for an activity for the Arab Foundations Forum in the Research Center for Philanthropy and civic engagement at the American University in Cairo in June.
  • Update the website of the Arab Foundations Forum; modifying and adding information in the site.
  • To update the search for Arab Foundations in Morocco.

     

    The Forth meeting:

     Date: 19/6/2007

     Location: John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic engagement at the American University in Cairo (Oriental Hall)

    Summary of the minutes:

    Attendees:

    • Ms.Sallama Numani, Makhzoumi Foundation /Lebanon.
    • Mr.Ziad Khalaf, Qattan Foundation / Palestine.
    • Samar Haidar, Arab Human Rights Fund./Lebanon
    • Valentina Qussisiya, Jordan river Foundation/Jordan
    • Dima Bibi, Injaz/Jordan
    • Atallah Kuttab, Welfare Association/Jordan.
    • Omar Qattan, Qattan Foundation / Palestine.
    • Maha Barges, Kuwait graduate Society/ Kuwait
    • Mona Karram, Welfare Association /AFF/Jordan

    Note: Five members apologized for their absence due to personal circumstances.

    The Following members did not attend:

    • Marwan Awartani, Universal Education Foundation / Palestine
    • Fateh Azzam, Arab Human Rights Fund/ Lebanon
    • Fadi Yarak, Rene Mouawad Foundation/ Lebanon.
    • Nabil Qaddumi, Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation/Jordan/Palestine
    • Hossam Badrawi, Badrawi For Development and Investment/Egypt

    Participants agreed unanimously on the following decisions:

    • To support the Forum’s Mission Statement.
    • To amend some of the objectives and activities of the Forum (attached hereto is a copy of the amended paper).
    • To identify the tasks of all members in formulating a two years action plan for the Arab Foundations Forum in order to obtain a grant.
    • To delegate Dima Bibi the task of writing a newspaper article on the roundtable discussion on Arab charitable work and innovation being held in the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo. The article shall also include a summary on the forum and its objectives, and a précis on the work of the fourth meeting.  The article will be published in “Alliance” magazine, http://www.alliancemagazine.org  and Dr. Ata shall facilitate its publishing.
    • To delegate Ziad Khalaf the task of preparing checklists. A copy should be sent to all members for suggestions and approval so that its criterion applies to all the Arab foundations selected as members of the Forum. However, members should continue compiling lists of existing institutions in their countries to which the conditions are, in principle, applicable.
    • To delegate the task of drafting the application for funding to cover any shortfall in foundation operating expenses and its activities over three years. Ziad Khalaf, Dima Bibi and Omar Al-Qattan will write the draft proposal.
    • The Arab Foundations Forum Secretariat is to be hosted by the Welfare Association for one more year.
    • To discuss the possibility of approaching individuals rather than Foundations in North Africa due to legal restrictions in these countries.
    • The AFF membership system was discussed and the sum of $1000 (USD) was set as the annual institutional membership fee, knowing that the annual costs are estimated to be $20,000.
    • The Arab Human Rights Fund (Dr. Atallah Kuttab) ascertained its contribution to the annual subscription. Other members will also confirm their Foundations' commitment in this respect.
    • Points to be discussed with the John D. Gerhart Center have been identified. These include:

             1. Improving philanthropy initiatives towards              developmental approaches that target holistic               social development.
             2. Participating in building an appropriate climate              for new initiatives and  coordinating the              establishment of networks.
             3. The Gerhart Center’s role in networking by              compiling a list of Arab foundations in the Arab              world through research and studies in order to              establish a solid base and support the              Foundations sector in the region.

    • It was determined that there will be two annual meetings for the AFF.
    • There was discussion of the Forum's role on Advocacy, which is to be followed up.
    • The legal dimension of the Forum's official registration and its effects upon the Forum's work was also discussed. It was decided that the members would send their opinions (pros/cons) on the issue, which is to be followed up.