Foundation Charter Principles

Broader Middle East and North Africa
December 14, 2005

Preamble

Whereas the countries of the Broader Middle East and North Africa region (the "Region") face important political and social challenges;

Whereas the international partners represented here are committed to help them address such challenges and implement initiatives aimed at advancing and strengthening freedoms and democratic trends and practices;

Whereas achieving those reform objectives are best accomplished by responding to, and supporting ideas and initiatives generated at the regional and national level;

Whereas a vibrant civil society is a critical partner in the reform efforts undertaken by governments in the Region;

Whereas civil society organizations in the Region within the scope of the Democracy Assistance Dialogue and elsewhere, have long been calling for the creation of mechanisms that provide resources supporting the expansion of their activities and capacities;

Whereas the development and expansion of such civil society requires an enabling regulatory framework as well as vital technical and financial assistance;

Whereas such assistance is most effective when administered by an independent, and privately managed, not-for-profit entity operating in a local political and legal environment that is conducive to such efforts;

Whereas both civil society organizations and governments will continue to be critical partners in the development of the Foundation.

Our Commitment

The international partners represented today agree to support in partnership with non-governmental organizations and civil society actors in the region:

A Foundation to promote democracy and reform efforts in the Region.

The Foundation will be a legally registered, not-for-profit entity with a focus on providing financial and technical assistance to local non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, based in the region; and undertaking programs and activities that contribute to the strengthening of freedoms and democracy in the Region.

The Foundation will not give funding to political parties.

The Foundation will not support terrorist organizations, illegal entities, their surrogates, or those using or advocating the use of violence in pursuit of their objectives.

The Foundation would be led by a Board of Directors (the "Board") comprised of distinguished private individuals from the Region, Europe, and North America. The Chairperson of the Board would be from the Region. No government representatives will sit on the Board.

The Initial contributing partners to the Foundation are free to nominate qualified non-Governmental officials for Board membership. The Chairperson will select and present the Board of Directors to the initial contributing partners. Initial contributing partners can then vote to approve or veto the entire Board of Directors slate. A majority decision is required. The Chairperson and Board members would be subject to term limits and shall oversee the transition to a self selected Board and an elected chairperson.

The Foundation will have its operational headquarters in the Region. As necessary, it may also have liaison offices in Europe and North America. The determination of the "seat" of the Foundation will reflect the founding principles and objectives of the Foundation, and will further be a function of the most advantageous and flexible legal environment providing for tax-exempt status, operational autonomy and effectiveness, and efficient financial transactions and monitoring.

The founding international partners represented here today commit to providing the Foundation both political and financial support. The Foundation will be open to new partners, including the private sector, governments, non-governmental organizations, and multilateral institutions that are ready to make a substantial contribution to the Foundation and to adhere to the Charter of Principles.

All international partners pledge to exercise their best efforts to help expand the Foundation’s operation throughout the Region and provide all necessary support to ensure the Foundation is able to operate freely and independently and to conduct its full range of activities in partnership with civil society in the region.