Peace Conference – October 21, 2012
The youth and women of Pakistan should be encouraged to seek a solution to the conflicts faced by the country. It was stated by participants of conference, held at the Lahore College for Women University’s Gender Studies Department in collaboration with the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO). The conference’s aim was to encourage people to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts in the country, promote justice, equality and social harmony through the participation of disadvantaged groups.Another objective was to make the youth, primarily students, part of the dialogue by making them aware of the facts, the statement said. Neelam Hussain, the Simorgh Women Resource and Publication Centre executive coordinator opened the conference and talked at length about the history of wars.Humaira Sheikh, the Shirkat Gah’s Peace and Conflict Programme director, Dr Sabiha Mansoor, the vice chancellor and SPO Regional Director Salman Abid spoke in the event. Over 400 students and representatives of various civil society organizations attended the conference. At the end of the day’s proceedings, Suneha Theater group staged a play Navein Rukh (New Directions). The play touched upon the importance of peace and resolving conflicts. It also addressed discrimination against women and low spending on health and education sectors and the spending on military budgets.
SPO and AAWAZ Program – October 11, 2012
Pakistan has experienced instability under both democratic and military led governments in its 64 year old existence. “Oxford Policy Management 2004 quotes that as a result of unequal and inappropriate allocation of resources in Pakistan, over 50% of the people remain poor, under-educated, excluded from participation in political processes and vulnerable to co-option by radical extremist groups. Women and minorities are worst hit of these vulnerabilities. The inability of the State to meet the needs of all citizens has distorted governance in the country. Fissures are developing in society, which together with existing inequalities are fuelling growing intolerance and community violence, and making minorities and women even more vulnerable. At community level, small-scale disputes based on existing fault-lines of class, caste, religion and sex among others, (which impede citizens coming together, articulating local priorities clearly and holding service providers to account) can escalate into violent, larger scale conflict, attracting young people many of whom have fewer other options in their lives. Weak governance, social exclusion and the limited capacity of citizens to develop coordinated demands to tackle resource allocation and improved service delivery are some of the reasons for continuing mass poverty in Pakistan. Improved citizen engagement with the state, and especially reform of the patronage-based political system and improved access to the political decision making will help to improve governance. For this to come about, a new and inclusive political compact is needed involving all sections of society. This requires women, young people and other excluded groups to be empowered to demand change, and for the state to respond effectively to the demands of all of its citizens for improved service delivery. Keeping this rationale the AAWAZ project is developed to be implemented in six districts initially with four major outputs leading to a better society for women and minorities with Better facilities and services, Platform for joint actions and Improved communication skills to resolve day to day conflicts that hinder collective thought process. The outcome of the AAWAZ program is that democratic processes in Pakistan are more open, inclusive and accountable to citizens (by 2017). This will contribute to achievement of the impact of a stable, inclusive and tolerant democracy in Pakistan. Achieving the outcome will mean increasing the range of social actors engaged in political life so as to shift the incentives, disincentives and constraints operating on the political elite. The growing urban, middle class and community based groups who want change, and are prepared to work together to achieve it, will apply pressure for more accountable government and make it more difficult for feudal elites to continue to dominate politics. AAWAZ program follows the participatory approach where men and women from rural districts from all ethnic and religious groups will form community forums to take the charge of their own development. SPO plans to focus on formation and capacity building of these groups at village, UC and district level, hence addressing the issues at all governance tiers. The program overall is being run through a consortium of four organizations including Aurat Foundation, SPO and South Asia Partnership Pakistan as implementing partners and DAI as coordinating and secretarial partner. The financial support is coming from USAID.
Flood 2012 in Balochistan: Initiatives, Challenges and Way forward – October 8, 2012
SPO Quetta organized a Round Table Dialogue on “Flood 2012 in Balochistan: Initiatives, Challenges and Way forward”. The event was attended by about 40 participants, including representatives of provincial government, political parties of the province, flood affectees and National Humanitarian Network. Key participants included Sardar Aslam beezenjo (Minister Irrigation), Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, President National Party, Mr. Munir Ahmed Badeni (Secretary Education), Khudad Khan (X- President, Awami National Party Balochistan), Ghulam Nabi Marri ( CC Member Balochistan National Party), Abdul Qayum Kakar ( CC Member Jamat-e-Islami), Mohammed Raza Wakeel ( Information Secretary Hazara Development Party). Speakers shared their information about the situation of flood in the province and expressed their concern that response is not matching the gravity of disaster. The participants extended the following recommendations. Priority should be given to the provision of Shelters, food and non food items Government must declare emergency and must allow the civil society to intervene A realistic assessment of damages should be conducted and development of long term strategy should be considered PDMA and disaster related government agencies should be revitalized to perform proper role in flood response Advocacy with donor organizations for seeking their support in relief and rehabilitation work Infrastructure development should be well planned and disaster proof structure should be developed in disaster prone areas Ms. Zeenat Yaqoob, member BoD closed the event with her remarks.
Mehfale Mushira at Gomal University D.I.Khan – October 2, 2012
Daman Civil Society Network (DCSN) with the support of SPO D.I.Khan organized Mehfale Mushira at Gomal University D.I.Khan with the objective to engage University level youth in Cultural revival activities and peace building process. Mushira was attended by district stakeholders including Print & electronic Media, Youth, literary society, educationists, NGOs and other segments of Civil Society. Shields of appreciations were presented on the occasion to Abasin Award KPK winner two D.I.Khan poets Mr. Abdullah Yazdani and Tahir Shirazi. Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Said Mir Khan attended as Chief Guest .He appreciated the initiative as it will encourage University youth to participate in positive activities and help them to become part of SPO Art for Peace Campaign in order to contribute in Peace building process in D.I.Khan.
Torrential Rains and Flash floods in Nowshehra District – August 23, 2012
Torrential rains on 22nd of August, played havoc in 5 Union Councils of Nowshehra district of Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa. The names of the UCs are Pirpiai, Azhakhel, Pushtoon Garhi, Aman Kot and Qasim Ali Bek. Torrential rains caused flash floods in local rivers and Nullahs that caused severe damage to the private and public infrastructure. The details are given under; Damages to property have been observed to the villages located on the banks of dry rivers (Khwar or Barsati nullahs) Approximately 400 households affected by the floods in all the three UCs mentioned. In low lying areas damage to the standing crops of vegetables and maze have also been reported due to flooding in the fields. According to the reports, 7 people have been reported missing feared dead. Provincial Minister , Mian Iftikhar Hussain (who belongs to Pabbi) is currently visiting the area to assess the damages. Other rivers namely Khyali, Jendi, Kabul, Shalum, Bara, Budni, Naguman, kurrum etc are said to be in mid level of floods. And people living on the banks have been alerted by the authorities. Immediate Needs;So far no large scale displacement of affected population observed in these UCs and affected population is trying to repair the damaged houses, and they are immediate needs are given under, Water needs to be drained out from the fields on emergency basis to save the livelihoods of the local communities. Slush left by the flood water needs to be cleared from the affected HH and they need tools, wheelbarrows for this purpose. Hygiene kits will help the locals to control the spread of diseases. Clean drinking water and food is also required in some of the villages. This situation update is prepared with the help of local volunteers who are in contact with SPO regional office, Peshawar, and released by Head of Disaster Preparedness and Response Department on 23rd of August 2012 at 03:15pm.
Talem sb k liay – July 2012
SPO organized Stage Drama/Theatre on Social issues in D.I.Khan after a long time to revive Stage Drama in D.I.Khan in order to contribute in sustainable peace building process and to reduce sense of insecurity prevailing in D.I.Khan from at least one decade due to wave of violence in D.I.Khan. In this regard local Drama writer/Director and local actors were chosen for performance as D.I.Khan stage Drama was famous in the past and people from nearby districts i.e. Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat etc were especially visit D.I.Khan to watch Stage Dramas in D.I.Khan in 90s.However due to adjacent to South Waziristan, Taliban and extremists forces forcefully stopped this powerful entertainment and social issues raising medium. In this regard SPO took proper permission from Commissioner D.I.Khan, DCO and DPO D.I.Khan and they all welcomed SPO steps and provided full security to Stage Drama. During extreme wave of violence SPO D.I.Khan started Intersect and Interfaith harmony dialogues ,conferences, formed Peace Committees to promote Social Harmony messages to create harmony and culture of tolerance with the support of all sects religious scholars(ulema), Media, Law enforcement authorities, Trade Union, Lawyers, NGO and Political parties etc. At 2nd stage now with the support of all stakeholders we are promoting Social, Cultural, political dialogues to contribute in peace building process. In this regard cultural dialogues, Mushairay, Books inauguration, Musical programmes, Art for Peace Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition and Stage Dramas are promoted to bring the city again to life to ensure sustainable peace in the District. In this Stage Dramas more than 150 people participated including 20 women and minority people. This will not only encourage local Drama writer and local artists but pave the way to restart almost finish drama performance work in D.I.Khan. SPO is organizing consistent dialogues with District Administration as well to provide funds to revive cultural activities in D.I.Khan.
Consultation on Climate Change Policy and Pre-Monsoon Institutional Response – July 2012
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) organized the consultation on “Climate Change Policy and Pre-Monsoon Institutional Response” in Islamabad.Chairing the session on climate change policy review , Jawed Ali Khan, Director General, Environment expressed that today the disaster we face are mostly the human induced disaster. He appreciated SPO for initialing dialogue on NCCP policy. Naseer Memon, Chief Executive, SPO was of the view that current national climate change policy (NCCP) 2011 will not make an impact without integrated institutional efforts and coordinated approach. He opined that policies in Pakistan were not followed in spirit and there are serious gaps in their effective implementation. “Pakistan needs to adopt an approach of climatically appropriate development planning. he went on to add and suggested that, “a nationwide disaster mapping, risk reduction planning and effective response mechanism is immediately required to avoid more catastrophes.” Dr Qamar-Uz-Zaman Chaudhry, Advisor Climate Affairs, Government of Pakistan and lead author of NCCP discussed about aspects of the policy. Earlier Hammad Raza Khan, consultant SPO presented a review paper on Pakistan’s first National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) 2011. In the session ‘institutional response to pre-monsoon institutional response’ NDMA and provincial disaster management bodies shared their preparedness plans for upcoming monsoon season of 2012.Chairman NDMA while chairing the consultation said, Pakistan is working on to provide disaster risk insurance for its 180 million population which is the biggest ever insurance venture anywhere in the world. He also informed that, For the first time elaborate contingency plans have been developed by NDMA at district, provincial and national level with consultation from all stakeholders. Other speakers at the consultation included Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad, Director External Linkages and Incharge Climate Change Cell, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Mr Mehmood Alam, Secretary, PDMA Punjab, Shahzad Khan Bangash, Director General, PDMA/PaRRSA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Hashim Ali, Secretary /Director General, PDMA, Sindh, Nasibullah khan Bazi, PDMA, Balochistan, Faisal khatak, Fata Disaster Management Authority, Peshawar, Munir Sheikh, Head Climatology Section, Global Change Impact Study Center (GCISC), Islamabad and Sardar Muhammad Nawaz Khan, Secretary, State Disaster Management Authority, AJK. Find below media coverage of the event 1. Post-disaster relief: First-ever insurance plan on the drawing board – TRIBUNE 2. KP, Balochistan pledge Rs 10bn for disaster management – Daily Times 3. Changing monsoon patterns posing new threats – The News 4. Pakistan is working on to provide disaster risk insurance for its 180 million population – Envo info
The Search for God and Interfaith Harmony – June 2012
Search for God has been a philosophic and scientific endeavor over centuries. Many modern philosophers after the Greeks postulated a final dictum in philosophy that would unravel the mystery of reality and human life. Enlisting these philosophers and scientists is extensive however, in recent history William James and Einstein spent years in seclusion searching for a unification theory that would explain all and unify the diverse faiths and views of mankind. Uxi Mufti, a folklorist, social scientist and cultural expert took up God -hypothesis as a PhD thesis in 1969 and has completed it now. He has published a book ‘Allah: Measuring the Intangible.”This book was launched under the aegis of SPO in Islamabad. Eminent speakers from different walks of life gathered to discuss Uxi Mufti’s latest book ‘Allah: Measuring the Intangible.” The book is a commendable effort to understand the concept of God and can help establish a peaceful, tolerant society, they said. Among the speakers were politician Akram Zaki, former National Assembly speaker Fakhar Imam, his wife Syeda Abida Hussain and Taxila Institute of Asian Civilization Acting Director Van Sky Hawk. They reviewed what they had read of the book and their own views on spirituality, religion, science and the human condition. According to them Uxi Mufti synthesizes contemporary philosophy and science through an integrative approach. “The book is a unique blend of humanities of science, research and faith,” they said. Hawk commented on the chronology of worship and spirituality starting from worship of fire to Achilles, Buddha and finally, Allah. “While the face and name of worship and god may change, the seed of spirituality has been the same throughout history; finding answers to questions of mortality and the universe,” he said. Dr Najiba Arif who has translated the book into Urdu under the title “Talash” highlighted various aspects of the book saying the book is a personal journey for her from doubt to certainty.” SPO chief of Programme ,Zafar Zeeshan thanked the guests and panelist while introducing SPO program.
World Environment Day – SPO Civic Café – June 2012
Charting the Course for a Green Economy in PakistanPakistan is number one on the climate change risk index in the world and its bio-capacity to sustain economic growth is showing steep downward trend. Speaking at SPO civic café on world environment day ;NSDS-Charting the course for a green economy in Pakistan, former Environment minister Malik Amin Aslam quoted Banki Moon, “our foot is stuck on the accelerator and we are heading towards an abyss”. He noted that though developed nations have larger ecological footprints than developing countries, it is a phenomenon that effects the latter the most. He said, we are facing three challenges of Fuel – Food – Financial and climate change is exacerbating the crisis. SPO Chief Executive Naseer Memon speaking on the occasion said, It is imperative for every citizen to realize his social responsibility to contribute towards better climatic conditions and even small steps such as saving electricity and avoiding the use of plastic bags can make a huge difference. He said civil society has the power to inform leaders and those around them. He left the audience with a responsibility to spread the information they have received. Introducing the audience and the program, SPO Chief of Programs Zafar Zeeshan said the Civic Café is a space for all to discuss contemporary issues and developments. The basic idea behind the Civic Café is to strengthen the role of civil society through dialogue, and to provide space for discussion on various topics, building new relationships, and strengthening old ones. The audience took part in question answer session with enthusiasm and debated on last government polices implementation, their affects and Pakistan’s current leadership will on implanting new emerging policies.