Executive Director, Mr. Imad Mohamed has participated in the National NGO Forum held on 4-5 August 2010, by Ministry of Home Affairs. During the discussion in the forum Mr. Imad has highlighted the importance of creating supportive environment for civil society organizations especially organizations based in atolls. In this regard he has mentioned that, one of the major challenges faced by civil society organizations based in the atolls is lack of awareness about role of civil society organizations among local government officials including political appointees. Mr. Imad has raised the issue of not recognizing role of civil society by some of the local government officials at island, atoll and province level, even though it is written in Strategic Action Plan of the current government.