Opening ceremony of the regional training course September 2005
From left to right: Ambassador of Iraq, Ambassador of Oman, Dr.Al-Eryani, chairman of CBF, Ambassador of Netherlands, Executive director of international service for human rights, Representative of UN High Commisioner for Human Rights Prelude:The need for establishing the Cultural Bridges Forum (CBF) has come out of the continued national and international calls necessitating the cultural dialogue between the civilizations as dialogue is the best way for overcoming extremist understanding and misconceptions of the nature of cultures and religions in these societies, particularly the Arab region. The Republic of Yemen has been characterized with its earnest and serious interactions with such calls and that is very clear in the initiatives, meetings and official conferences hosted by the country. Civil society organizations play an important role in the same context, which can be complementary to the official one with the aim to have a society free from thought and religious fanaticism. CBF was licensed by decree number (11) on February 15,2004 by the Ministry of Culture and decree number (47) on May 11,2004 by the Ministry of Social Affairs as a non-governmental organization. Forum name and headquarters: Name of the forum: Cultural Bridges Forum Headquarters: The central office of the forum is based in Sana’a and the CBF has the right to open branches all over Yemen. Definitions: Words set out below shall bear the meanings appearing opposite them. Republic: The Yemen Republic Forum: Cultural Bridges Forum Board: Forum Board Trustees Chairman: Chairman of CBF Secretary-General: Forum Secretary-General Cultural Links Council: Donors representatives, International organizations working in Yemen and the other sectors, that work forward enhance and promote open dialogue among cultures (Nominated by CBF). Forum Message, Goals and Tasks
CBF Message:The forum works to disseminate a modern civilized culture, opening a cultural and thought window for Yemen on the world throughout meetings, dialogues and local and international conferences that aim to introduce Yemen culture, history and civilization as well as the ethical and religious tolerance of the Yemeni society to the world community. It also will contribute to develop awareness of democracy and human rights issues at different economic, political and social aspects, mobilizing both state and community to enhance these values based on the principles of our Islamic religion. Objectives: 1- Contributing into the spread of the cultural democratic dialogue in public life and adopting the principle of constructive dialogue with other cultures, supporting citizens in establishing and activating NGOs for this purpose. 2- Working seriously with other local and international NGOs operating in the field of cultural dialogues and democratic development so as to help promote Yemen democratization process ahead. 3- Calling for openness and tolerance, rejecting religious and though extremism. 4- Promoting the expansion of women participation in different social, economic, political and cultural aspects of life in the society. 5-Calling for transparency .6-Raising awareness of child rights and environment protection . Mission: The forum shall carry out the following tasks so as to achieve its goals: 1- Holding and organizing conferences, workshops, lectures, meetings and exhibitions as well as providing information services. 2- Conducting consultative meetings with political, economic, social and cultural decision makers. 3- Exchanging experiences and information with local and international organizations with the same goals. 4- Publishing bulletins, magazines, and books, using all advanced communication means to get the forum message reach the targeted social groups. 5- Collecting documents and data as well as evaluating the performance of the cultural democratic sectors both at the state and non-government levels. 6- Conducting periodical meetings with representatives of the donor countries and organizations so as to evaluate Yemen democratic experience in addition to the means of promoting NGOs work in Yemen. 7- Conducting any other tasks that fall in line with the forum goals and concerns.., | 
