Civil society institutions forum reviews sustainability in volunteer work

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Social Development organised the Civil Society Institutions Forum. The forum aims to qualify and empower civil society institutions by providing them with the skills and knowledge that enable them to manage their resources, qualify their members, and develop their institutional performance, and will continue for two days.
The forum, whose opening was held under the auspices of Shaikh Rashid bin Ahmed al Shamsi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development, and attended by representatives of volunteer teams, professional associations, and charitable societies, also aims to exchange experiences and successful practices in the fields of social responsibility, investment and empowerment.
The forum's programme includes a series of scientific and dialogue sessions that discussed several topics related to sustainability and empowerment in the civil society sector. The first session discussed the concept of sustainability in volunteer work and its role in community development and enhancing the impact of volunteer initiatives.
The second session focused on the theme of Social Responsibility and Sustainable Investment, which reviewed mechanisms for benefiting from the social responsibility programmes of private sector companies in the Sultanate of Oman. It also presented successful models in financial sustainability and sustainable investment, including the Imam Jabir bin Zaid Foundation, Manah Volunteer Team, and Al Rahmah Association for Motherhood and Childhood Care.
The forum continues its sessions on its second day by discussing the topic of Empowerment in the Civil Society sector, through presenting a number of practical experiences. It will also address the category of self-employed workers and those similarly situated, in addition to reviewing successful models of economic empowerment projects, including the experience of the Yanqul Volunteer Team and the Omani Women's Association in the Wilayat of Al Seeb.
The forum activities will conclude with a session discussing the identity of civil society institutions in light of e-marketing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), along with introducing participants to the Joud platform for charity work and the Ayadi platform for volunteer work, and reviewing the experience of the Ibra Volunteer Team, reflecting the directions of volunteer work towards innovation, sustainability and enhancing community impact. — ONA