Third annual exhibition of private associations and institutions opens

HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad inaugurated Tuesday the third annual exhibition of private associations and institutions.The exhibition is held in co-operation with the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs – represented by the General Administration of Endowments, Qatar Charity (QC), and Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation.The exhibition aims at introducing to the public the services of the non-profit organisations working in Qatar, motivating the civil community to accomplish outstanding achievements in sustainability, and encouraging collective and voluntary work as well as community participation.Private Associations and Institutions Department director Naji Abd Rabbo al-Aji said that the exhibition will present useful products and activities to the community in partnership and support of the public and private sectors.In a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said that the partnership between the public and private sectors results in programmes and activities that serve the community, taking into account the diversity of the associations – professional, cultural, scientific, and/or educational.Al-Aji said that the work of private associations is regulated by law, empowering them to carry out their work.He added that the ministry enables all associations to work freely unless they deviate from the law regulating the work of civil community organisations in Qatar.Al-Aji expressed the hope that the exhibition would encourage associations to organise initiatives serving the community.HE the Director-General of the General Directorate of Endowments, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Ghanim al-Thani, said that the exhibition aims to exchange the expertise among various associations, and praised the efforts by the Ministry of Social Development and Family to organise the exhibition.He said that the support and partnership of the General Directorate of Endowments for the exhibition is as an achievement of the co-operation among government authorities, support for civil institutions, and as an implementation of the slogan (endowment is a community partnership).Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Autism Society, Sheikha Jawaher Fahad al-Thani, stressed the significance of the Society's participation in the exhibition.She said that the goal behind its participation lies in the right of people with autism to integrate into society.Sheikha Jawaher said that the latest news from the Qatar Autism Society is related to the launch of robots for people with autism to share their daily activities, whether at home or out, to help them psychologically and mentally.Under the theme *My association in service of community, the exhibition saw competitive programmes and initiatives in all fields, and an expanded number of participants from associations and organisations to raise the awareness of private associations and their role in serving the community.The exhibition will allow productive projects to market their initiatives and the emergence of new productive projects that serve the community and provide job opportunities.