RIYADH, 22 October — Fifty-five research papers will be debated at the first conference of Saudi charitable societies scheduled to be opened here today by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
According to Labor and Social Affairs Minister Dr. Ali Al-Namlah, the conference aims at reorganizing charitable activities in the country to promote social development.
He said the three-day conference will focus on management and organization of charitable societies and proper investment of their funds. Participants will also discuss the problems being faced by charitable societies as well as new rules to regulate their activities.
Prince Abdullah ibn Khaled, chairman of the board of trustees of King Khaled Charitable Foundation, organizer of the conference, thanked the crown prince for agreeing to open the event.
"The crown prince’s participation is a big support for charitable activities in the Kingdom," he added.
He said special arrangements have been made for women’s participation in the conference. "There will be separate seminars and workshops for women on the sidelines of the conference," he added.
The Riyadh-based King Khaled Charitable Foundation was established a year ago. Its members are the wife of the late King Khaled and his sons and daughters.
There are 241 charitable societies in the Kingdom including 23 women’s organizations and 23 private foundations with a total membership of 31,262 including 2,929 women. The combined revenue of charitable societies is estimated at SR1.2 billion and expenditures at about SR970 million.
