The Civil Society Organization (CSO) Quarterly Meeting was hosted by Bhutan Media Foundation on Decemeber 28 at Namgay Heritage in Thimphu to discuss issues concerning civil society in the country.
The various heads of CSOs and members attended the meeting discussing certain issues and agendas including the establishment of Core Coordination Committee (CCC) secretariat, Proposal to Bhutan Foundation, Helvetas plans and activities.
The key outcome of the meeting was the finalization on the formation of the CCC secretariat with Bhutan Foundation agreeing to fund the establishment.
According to the manifesto of Druk Nyampdrp Tshogpa, the party has plans on building partnership with the CSOs through various initiatives. The government has pledged “to establish revolving fund for CSOs to avail when in need, to outsource development programs and activities in the 12th Plan to CSOs and to invest in capacity building of CSOs to enable fund mobilization.”
The CSOs are expecting the government’s support and hopeful that the pledges will be fulfilled.
Executive Director of Bhutan Media Foundation, Needup Zangpo reiterated, “From the CCC the government’s plan perfectly aligns with what we want to do”.
The agendas also included meeting between the CSOs and the cabinets, and proposal to meet the parliament.
Passang Tshering, the founder of Bhutan Toilet Organization said that when there is the Meet the Press every week, the government must at least meet the CSOs once in a month to discuss the issues concerning the CSOs.
The meeting also discussed the need for drafting a policy which can be used as guidelines for the government when dealing with the CSOs and amendment of the current Act.
Dasho Nima Wangdi, CSO core co-ordinator said, “We must propose the government to consider drafting a policy document to guide the development and participation of the CSOs in serving the Tsa-Wa-Sum.”
By Kinley Wangchuk