Ms Helen Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance and Mayor of Cape Town, will deliver the closing address on 24 October. She has given her full support to this initiative. `NGOs have always been valued partners to us in local government. I welcome the fact that the upcoming conference will focus on the role of NGOs in skills development. It helps our citizens to become pro-active participants in their communities and equips them to address social challenges,' Zille said.

Ac3 stands for access, action and achievement and represents the main objectives of the conference to:

build the individual's skills
assess the sustainability of organisations
strengthen financial, organisational and strategic planning abilities
identify the community's needs
mobilise resources
The conference also includes skills-building sessions that will assist NGOs in running viable and successful organisations.

Major international donor organisations such as PEPFAR, USAID, German Technical Co-operation (GTZ), DFID and the Royal Netherlands Embassy have been invited to attend.

Delegates will receive a Toolkit worth at least R1000 that includes valuable guidelines on the sound running of non-governmental organisations.

Members of the media interested in attending this conference can apply for registration by downloading the media registration form on www.ngoconference.co.za or by completing the attached form. Please send the registration form and supporting documents to info@ngoconference.co.za before 17 October to qualify for a registration fee waiver.

Venue

Date: 23 October 2008 to 24 October 2008
Location: CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria

Contact: Magda Naude
Company name:
Telephone number: 082 452 5878
Email address magda.naude@gmail.com