1LIBYA and NGO Management Association Switzerland:
In its efforts to support civil society organisations in Libya, 1Libya hosted a conference in Tripoli on the 11th of December 2011. 1Libya introduced the two components of its new NGO programme: the Executive Certificate in NGO Management and the 1Libya Open Forum.
1Libya partnered with the NGO Management Association Switzerland to offer a certified Executive Managment Programme, which will start in Tripoli at the beginning of 2012 and in Benghazi in Spring 2012. It will consist of a five-month programme divided into 9 modules. It is aiming to provide Libyan NGO managers and heads of organisations the necessary knowledge, skills and strategies to lead their organisations more efficiently and to achieve a higher impact in the civil society building process in Libya.
1Libya also introduced its 1Libya Open Forum initiative, which will be open to all Libyan NGO members. It will be launched in Benghazi in January 2012 and in Tripoli in February 2012. After identifying the key issues facing Libyan NGOs through comprehensive surveys, 1Libya intends to provide experts to assist the NGOs in addressing their needs within the Open Forum format.
The NGO Management Programme and the 1Libya Open Forum will also serve as a platform for Libyan NGOs and organisations to interact, debate and find synergies to better serve their purposes.
The audience of the conference was composed of representatives of over one hundred Libyan NGOs. Also present were Libyan dignitaries and several ambassadors as well as representatives of the EU, UNDP and international aid organisations who showed great interest and enthusiasm for the initiatives.
The speaker panel included Mr. Atia Lawgeli (NTC Vice Minister for Culture and Civil Society), Ambassador James Moran (Head of the EU delegation), Mrs Najla Mangoosh (member of Solidarity for Human Rights), Mr. Nicolas Gabriel (UNDP), Mrs Audra Dykman (Chemonics as implementing partner of USAID) and the director of the NGO Management 
Association Switzerland, Marco Kirschbaum.
They all highlighted the need and the urgency for high impact initiatives to enhance the capacity of the Libyan civil society organisations and stated that they are key supporters in the civil society building process. The key message from several speakers was that only a strong, active and empowered civil society can ensure a successful democracy in Libya.
1Libya is a Libyan and British registered nonprofit organisation, that actively supports the rebuilding of Libya through concrete, value added projects in the focus areas of civil society and media. 1Libya has an office in Tripoli and a presence in Benghazi.
NGO Management Association is a Geneva based non-profit organisation focusing on management support to civil society organisations. Its NGO Management School provides training for professional and effective NGO management.
