NGOs

This study re-examines the healthcare and humanitarian aid contributed by the British government and the British NGOs to the Palestinians during the Arab-Israelis War of 1967 and the current Covid-19 pandemic age. The objective of the research is to compare the significant efforts initiated by the British government and their NGOs to Palestine in two different occasions. After the end of Six-Day War of 1967, many Palestinian displaced persons lived in a poor condition at refugee’s camps scattered in Syria and Jordan.  As a result of the unhygienic and inadequacy of a basic living facilities such as a clean sanitation system, the refugees experienced various contagious and non-contagious diseases such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis A and diverse skin infections. During this difficult time, the British government, and NGOs tirelessly contributed in various means to assist the displaced individuals and refugees in handling health disaster. Subsequently, the same thing occurs when the World, including Palestine is haunted with the current invisible Covid-19 virus, which appears to be another health catastrophe to the Palestinians. Hence, this study is re-examining the role and contribution of the British government and their NGOs to assist the Palestine Authority to face the imperceptible enemy which caused a pernicious plague. Regardless of religious beliefs, the noble efforts of those parties are appearing to be a humanitarian bridge which connecting humankind across continents, generations, and political ideology.

The emergence of Non Government Organizations (NGOs) in various fields of life is proof that civil society is essential in building a democratic society. NGOs can educate citizens and communities on their fundamental rights to create a democratic state and world order life. NGOs in Indonesia and Egypt have played a significant role in strengthening democratic movements by empowering civil society. This study examines NGOs’ role in democratization in Indonesia during the reign of President Suharto and Egypt under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak. In carrying out their functions, NGOs take a stand as a balancing force for the state and agents of community empowerment. The NGOs’ elements struggle in producing an ideal democratic society order in these two countries facing their respective challenges. Some NGOs challenge building democratic society such as military domination, party hegemony systems, and robust state control over society. To encourage democratization in Indonesia and Egypt, NGOs have contributed to building democratic practices, improving democratic performance, strengthening civil rights, monitoring elections, and promoting corruption eradication. The strengthening of democracy by NGOs in Indonesia and Egypt has impacted building political openness, awareness of citizens' political rights, and pro-society public policies.

Promotion of urbanization is one of characteristics of current societies that in their evolutionary trend results in establishment of megalopolis and brings the complex urban management in these huge population centers every day, together with new difficulties. Urban environmental problems, providing public and security services, green space and city fa ade, urban economic problems, informing, research and training makes the urban management duties list every day longer. Tehran Metropolis as the most important and greatest city of Iran and one of the most important metropolises of Middle East and included in the 20 great cities in the world, face these challenges more and less. Doubtless, management in this city with a population of 8 million peoples and 2/3 million families residing therein in an area equal to 800 square km, is not possible without participation of citizens. Citizens&rsquo participation in their city and neighborhood matters, firstly has frequent benefits for municipality. If citizens based on their well-known motto &ldquoour city, our home&rdquo are sensitive to the city matters and public profits, then plenty of municipality responsibilities will be fulfilled in a better manner. Therefore, quality of assistance to the growth of organizational model of urban NGOs&rsquo participation has been converted to an important phenomenon and one of the most essential questions. The experience of participation of NGOs in the developed societiesindicated that solving many urban problems such as urban environment, inappropriate status of security, unsuitable city fa ade and improper urban economic status is possible only at the extensive presence of NGOs and upon active participation and responsibility in the urban services management. Despite of awareness of necessity of development of NGOs participation in the urban matters administration, this concept in its organized concept in each one of participation levels encounters a lot of barriers such as deliberation, commenting, proposing, decision making, planning, execution and supervision on urban projects which limits the opportunity of NGOs upward from participation stair.Objectives of this research: Identification of grounds of need to citizens&rsquo participation and identification of citizens&rsquo participation promotion that upon studying national documents in national context (including constitutional law, viewpoints of supreme leader of Iran, 20-year perspective document of regime, fourth and fifth socioeconomic and cultural development plans and policies applicable on sixth development plan), and in urban context and comparative urban study in foreign cities consistent to Tehran, based on comparative and focal studies, at first strategies for promotion of NGOs&rsquo participation in urban services are presented. Later theoretical model was offered for formulation of strategies for NGOs&rsquo participation promotion in urban services management.