A conference that seeks to improve co-ordination between the six Gulf states opened in Bahrain yesterday.

Around 60 people gathered in Manama yesterday for the opening of the two-day event, at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said to be the first of its kind in the region, according to a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The forum - organised by the Bahrain Philanthropic and Social Work Society - is taking place under the patronage of Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi.

It hopes to strengthen the work of volunteers and encourage more people to enter the sector.

Participants will draft a series of recommendations that will be presented to their respective governments at the conclusion of the event today.

Conference chairman Hussain Mousawi admitted encouraging people to give up their time and take up a cause could prove tricky.

"Volunteers have to be selfless and dedicated, as they have to go out into the society to encourage people to take up voluntary work," he said.

"It is easy to talk about it, but one has to be completely dedicated because part of the work is to encourage investments into the society for everybody to benefit."

Mousawi said every Gulf country has a different social fabric and structure for the volunteering sector and it was important to harmonise efforts.

"We will hopefully learn from the work of other societies and they can pick up something from us," he said.

Bahrain Philanthropic and Social Work Society chairman Dr Hussain Al Mahdi said it was important to speak out about efforts being made to enhance people's quality of life.

"Voluntary work has no religion, caste or creed and anyone is free to join and contribute," he said. – TradeArabia News Service