17th IFNGO Resolutions and Recommendations

Pubdate: Thu, 06 Dec 2007
Source: Borneo Bulletin (Brunei)
Copyright: 2007 Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.brunei-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3514
Author: Lyna Mohamad

17TH IFNGO RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations of the 17th IFNGO  Asean NGOs Workshop recommend
that a technical  committee be established and that with the support
of  various funding agencies be tasked with proposing the  technical
agenda and for future IFNGO conferences,  seminars and workshops and
assist in developing and  implementing plan of action arising from the
  recommendations of the above mentioned meetings.

That IFNGO Asean NGOs appeal, lobby and urge their  respective
governments to enact legislation similar to  "THE SECOND CHANCE ACT,
2007" of the United States of  America aimed to reduce recidivism,
increase public  safety and help Asean governments to better address
the  growing population of prisoners returning to  communities. The
Bill should focus on four areas of  concern, namely: employment,
housing, drug and  substance abuse/mental health treatment, and
families  and that to achieve a Drug-Free Asean 2015, IFNGO Asean
NGOs oppose any strategies that aim at legalisation of  illicit drugs
and other strategies that sanction  illicit drug use. That IFNGO Asean
NGOs reiterates its  commitment in supporting strategies that work
without  ambiguity to deter drug abuse under all circumstances  and
promoting full recovery of those suffering from  drug addiction and
dependence.

That IFNGO Asean NGOs appeal, lobby and urge their  respective
governments to forward the goal of Asean  Drug-Free 2015 to the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs  Vienna 2008 and to the forthcoming
United Nations  General Assembly Special Session on Drugs.

Participants of the 17th IFNGO Asean NGOs Workshop  recorded sincere
menjunjung kasih and profound  gratitude and appreciation to His
Majesty the Sultan  and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and to
Her  Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha for Her  Majesty's
gracious Royal Patronage of BASMIDA, Brunei  Darussalam.

The 17th IFNGO Asean NGOs Workshop formally adopts the  speech of the
Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang  Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri
Setia Awg Hj Adanan bin  Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia
Awg Hj Mohd  Yusof, delivered at the official opening ceremony and
for graciously declaring open the Workshop. Grateful  thanks and
appreciation is also recorded to the  government and people of Brunei
Darussalam and BASMIDA  in particular under the leadership of Datin
Hjh Masni  Hj Mohd Ali, President BASMIDA Brunei Darussalam
concurrently President-Elect of IFNGO-International  Federation of Non
Government Organizations for the  Prevention of Drug and Substance
Abuse, organizing  committee, working committee, members and
volunteers of  BASMIDA for the gracious and kind hospitality in
hosting the event. Record of thanks and appreciation  also goes to the
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,  Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa
Major General (Rtd) Dato  Seri Pahlawan Awg Hj ! Mohammad bin Hj Daud,
for gracing  the welcome dinner on December 3.

Record of thanks and appreciation to Yayasan Sultan  Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah, the European Union Diplomatic  Missions in Brunei Darussalam,
for the hosting of lunch  on December 3 and 4 respectively, as well as
to Brunei  Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd and Brunei Shell  Marketing
Company Sdn Bhd, for hosting the farewell  dinner on December 5.
Record thanks and appreciation to  Ms Patricia Yoon-Moi Chia,
Secretary-General of the  Colombo Plan and the Bureau for
International Narcotics  and Law Enforcement Affairs, US Department of
State for  the funding assistance extended to BASMIDA, host of the
event and also to PEMADAM Malaysia and PEMADAM State of  Sarawak,
Malaysia for agreeing to host and organize the  18th IFNGO Asean NGOs
Workshop December next year.  Reiterate IFNGO Asean NGOs support,
thanks and  appreciation to BASMIDA for confirming the hosting and
organising of the 23rd IFNGO World Conference in Brunei  Darussalam in
June 2009, and record thanks and  appreciati! on to PHILCADSA
Philippines for confirming  the hosting and organising of the 19th
IFNGO Asean NGOs  Workshop in Baguio City, Philippines in the year
2009,  to BERSAMA Indonesia for agreeing to explore the  possibility
of hosting the 20th IFNGO Asean NGOs  Workshop in Indonesia in the
year 2010.

Record grateful appreciation to Arch. Nuno M. R. Jorge,  President of
IFNGO concurrently President of OFAP  MACAU, S.A.R. China for chairing
the IFNGO Management  Board Meeting and gracing the 17th IFNGO ASEAN
NGO  Workshop. Participants of the workshop also extend
congratulations to Datin Hajah Masni, on her success in  translating
into Bahasa Melayu the Book "UNDERSTANDING  DRUG ADDICTION FROM THE
ISLAMIC PESPECTIVES - A  GUIDEBOOK" and on being awarded "The
Meritorious Youth  Leadership Award" and BASMIDA, on being awarded
"Outstanding Youth Organization Award" by His Majesty  in conjunction
with National Youth Day of Brunei  Darussalam in August 2007. Thanks
and appreciation  recorded to Islamic Da'wah Centre, Ministry of
Religious Affairs, for the publication and sponsoring  the printing
and distribution of the guide book.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath