Whenever I attend a conference or any gathering of engineers, the question that is always asked is whether the Saudi Engineering Association is a civil society or a government agency. The same question could be asked of other professional organizations. What is fairly sure is that none of them have been able to give a logical answer.
Since we live in a time that calls for fast and decisive decisions rather than wasting time in raising questions such as these, it would perhaps be more useful to decide whether professional organizations should be independent or not. Whatever is decided, the consequences are of profound importance.
I favor these societies becoming independent. We face major challenges requiring confrontation by a combined effort. This calls for strong public participation which is possible through activating the role of civil organizations.
One of the major challenges for us is how to cope with globalization and the resulting economic and cultural threats. These should make us think of making our civil organizations serve as the first line of defense against the impending economic and cultural invasion. Globalization, which calls for the dismantling of geographic boundaries and opening up countries to free movement of people, goods and information, shows the need to enhance the roles of civil organizations.
The one major problem facing the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, right now is the presence of large numbers of foreign workers. These workers are expected to account for one-quarter of the total population of these countries by 2005. Foreign workers now account for 76 percent of the overall work force in the region. Our countries should expect to be subjected to future pressures regarding work conditions and the rights of workers.
It is unfortunate that despite these circumstances, the role of professional organizations in the region, whether in regard to the relationship among themselves or the changes taking place in the world, remains ambiguous.
It is time we defined a clear role for these organizations so they are able to deal with present and future challenges, especially those posed by globalization.
