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THE formation of a European Expatriate Council has received royal approval and will give unprecedented access to the kingdom’s leaders as part of a drive to unite the nation and steer it to a safe, peaceful and prosperous future.
A steering group, chaired by Andrew Stephenson, has been set up to put in place the policies, resources, staffing and relationships the council will need to do its work.
It is likely to have a life of no more than six months after which the group will dissolve to be replaced by an elected body, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
Mr Stephenson, 55, said: “I believe that the expatriate community has a huge amount to offer to the further development and well being of this country, which for many of us is our home ... our only home.
“But it would not be honest to say that everything in the garden is rosy, we all know that it isn’t.
“There are difficulties and frustrations with living in Bahrain as an expat and we are all aware of issues including travel bans, expat investors worried about losing money on failed projects and obstructive bureaucracy. These are real issues which affect people’s lives, and it will be the job of the council to highlight such cases.
“On a personal note, if you ask me what I would like to see happen as a result of the formation of the council, I think it is this; I would like to see Bahrain live up to its true potential and become the leading expatriate posting on the planet.
“I think this country now has the possibility to leap ahead of others and introduce measures which will mark it out head-and-shoulders above other countries in the region as an expat home.
“This will take hard work and commitment, it will also take pragmatism and honesty as the country comes to terms with some difficult issues, but it can be done. And, I believe that under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad we can do it.”
It has been a hectic week for leading members of the European expat community following last week’s royal reception held at Al Rawdah Palace.
“If we are to genuinely represent the views, interests and desires of the community, in an open and honest way, it is vital that the council gains and retains the confidence of both the expatriates and of the Government. That credibility is crucial,” said Mr Stephenson.
“The council will be an openly and freely elected body which is truly representative and transparent. One of the main challenges facing the Steering Group will be to organise a genuinely fair and open election, in which the community can elect its representatives, before the end of 2011.
“It is also important that we get away from assuming a linkage between the community, the council and the expatriate clubs.
“Whilst the clubs have all been enormously supportive and helpful in the formation of the council, there is more to expatriate life than club membership.
“Many expatriates are not members of any clubs and have their own social and local networks, these people have exactly the same rights as everybody else and the elections will be fully inclusive.
“In fact, we were surprised to find that only around three per cent of European expatriates are members of any of the expat clubs - this is a very small proportion of the community. Having said this I would like to reiterate that the clubs have been wonderfully supportive and I would like to sincerely thank them all for their efforts,” added Mr Stephenson, who is a member of the Bahrain Rugby Club’s executive committee.
A celebratory luncheon was held at the British Club on Saturday attended by visiting dignitaries from The Council of Europe. Afterwards, Mr Stephenson said: “His Majesty the King has taken an intelligent and inspirational approach to the fact that the expatriate communities account for a large proportion of society, and the announcement of his patronage for the Expatriate Councils is a great leap forward.
“It is incredibly exciting to have the privilege of being involved in this initiative which, as far as we know, is the first of its kind anywhere in the region and perhaps in the world.”
The European’s council is only the beginning. Tomorrow representatives from a range of Asian countries are also set to visit King Hamad and it is anticipated that other expatriate councils will be formed shortly. “I am sure that no community is going to be left out of this wonderful initiative and no expatriate will be without a voice,” said Mr Stephenson.
TO help the Kingdom of Bahrain European Expatriate Council move forward GulfWeekly readers can assist by answering the following questions:
Please indicate your age, gender, years in Bahrain, nationality and state whether the kingdom is your first expat location. Send your answers to editor@gulfweekly.com for forwarding to the steering group.
