Non-Governmental Organizations

Study Notes

Definition of Civil Society
- A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization formed independently from government, typically nonprofit, and active in humanitarianism, social sciences, or providing services to members and others.
- NGOs can include clubs, associations, and organizations working in various areas, such as social, religious, cultural, scientific, educational, occupational, women, innovational, technical, or humanitarian.
UAE Law to Form Associations (NGO)
- Article 2 of the UAE law defines a society as a group of people or organizations formed for a limited or unlimited time to create activities in areas such as social, religious, cultural, scientific, educational, occupational, women, innovational, technical, or humanitarian.
- The law requires a minimum of 20 founding members, who must be UAE nationals, and at least 18 years old.
- The managing board must have a minimum of 5 active members, who must be UAE nationals, and at least 21 years old.
Categories of Public Utility Associations
- The table shows the categories of public utility associations in the UAE from 2014 to 2018, including:
  - Women: 8 associations
  - Occupational: 34 associations
  - Folkloric Arts: 29 associations
  - Cultural and Public Services: 63 associations
  - Charity and Relief: 23 associations
  - Theaters: 13 associations
  - Community Leagues: 15 associations
Occupational Societies
- Examples of occupational societies in the UAE include:
  - Society of Engineers
  - Medical Society
  - Sociological Association
  - Lawyers Association
  - Accountants and Auditors Association
  - Teachers Association
Humanitarian Organizations
- Examples of humanitarian organizations in the UAE include:
  - Red Crescent
  - Al Maktoum Foundation
  - Human Appeal International
  - Dubai Charity
  - Sharjah Charity
  - Alihsan Charity
Folklore Associations
- Examples of folklore associations in the UAE include:
  - Abu Dhabi Folklore Association
  - Dubai Folklore Association
  - Sharjah Folklore Association
  - Ajman Folklore Association
  - Umm Al Quwain Folklore Association
  - Ras Al Khaimah Folklore Association
  - Fujairah Folklore Association
Awards
- Examples of awards in the UAE include:
  - Zayed-Emirates Appreciation Award
  - Humaid Bin Rashid Award
  - Al Owais Award
  - Cultural and Scientific Association Award
  - Hamdan Bin Rashid Educational Award
  - Hamdan Bin Rashid Medical Award
Women Associations
- Examples of women associations in the UAE include:
  - General Women Union
  - Umm Almoumineen – Ajman
Clubs
- Examples of clubs in the UAE include:
  - Abu Dhabi Sports Club
  - Dubai Sports Club
  - UAE Football Clubs
Cultural Associations
- Examples of cultural associations in the UAE include:
  - Cultural Foundation – Abu Dhabi
  - Cultural and Scientific Association
  - Sharjah International Book Fair
  - Abu Dhabi Book Fair
  - National Cultural Encyclopedia
Theatre
- Theatrical Association – Sharjah (established in 1994) aims to develop talents, participate in national and regional events, knowledge transfer, and provide support to those in the field.