Labour minister visits British Charity Commission

London, Oct. 19 (BNA): Labour an d Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, and his accompanying delegation yesterday paid a visit to the headquarters of the British Charity Commission for England and Wales. The minister met the commission's Legal Director, Kenneth Dibble, and International Programme Director, Robin MacGregor, and was briefed on the Charity Commission's vision, responsibilities and work mechanisms in the voluntary and humanitarian fields. The delegation was informed about the work of the Charity Commission and its role in supervising the activities of NGOs. They were also informed about the laws regulating the work of NGOs, the commission's oversight of the movement of their funds to ensure they contribute effectively to achieving national and development goals and social partnership, as well as the electronic system used to exchange information among charity organisations. The minister lauded the pioneering development and social projects implemented by the Charity Commission, being a prestigious organisation with accumulated experience in providing technical and consultation services, training NGOs' staff, as well as risk management and analysis of financial statements. It also provides all kinds of support to NGOs to protect them from everything that may undermine the security and safety of society, especially regarding matters related to sending financial aid to external regions with extraordinary humanitarian conditions. Humaidan asserted that cooperation with the British Charity Commission over the past years have contributed to upgrading the work civil society organisations in Bahrain, highlighting the Labour and Social Development Ministry's keenness to continue cooperation with the Charity Commission to take advantage of its various programmes. He also stressed the crucial role played by NGOs in Bahrain, being an essential partner in the development and service work. Kenneth Dibble lauded the Bahraini leadership's keenness to achieve sustainable development, and focus on social partnership through which NGOs can participate effectively in the government's development programmes. He also hailed Bahrain's development initiatives and achievements, expressing the Bahrain Charity Commission's readiness to provide technical assistance to the relevant bodies in Bahrain in order to be able to achieve their goals.