SPO has changed the Civil Society landscape of Pakistan. Country Director UNDP The history of community development cannot be written without referring to the work and approaches tested and pioneered by SPO. Partner Organizations applause
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) has changed the civil society landscape of Pakistan. Country Director United Nations Development Program (UNDP) congratulated the executive, management and employees of the organization for their never ending zeal and fervor in realizing the true spirit of change, as a means towards sustainable grassroots development. Speaking at the 20years of Celebrations of SPO he added that it is very easy to start an organization but it is always hard to establish and sustain.
Mr. Bill Kilby, Head of Governance Group, DFID said SPO has fostered a movement of civil society organizations, human rights and grass roots level community organizations. Mr. David Fournier, Concellor Development and Head Aid, Canadian High Commission said that Canada is proud to be the partner of SPO through this journey. He recognized that SPO has fostered a movement of civil society organizations, human rights and grass roots level community organizations implementing community development projects, conducting research and lobbying policy makers, enabling citizens to affect policy change and pave the way for building a democratic, just and tolerant society. Ms. Susan Hyland,Political Counselor, BHC said that SPO has made great contribution, in election, training workers, holding seminars, id card registration, vote casting. She said British Government encourages human rights and democracy in Pakistan. Mr. I. A.Rahman, Director, HRCP appreciated the SPO work as an agent of change and said that civil society have to continue your work and not only the civil society, the political parties people of Pakistan should also learn as an agent of change .
Chairperson SPO Board of Directors Dr.Tufail Muhammad in his inaugural speech briefed about the vision and mission of SPO. He talked about the journey began two decades ago with the aim of serving the underprivileged rural and urban communities of Pakistan.
Chief Executive Strengthening Participatory Organization Naseer Memon welcomed the gathering and briefed about role of SPO in the process of development. He said, SPO started with very modestly, and transform into a right based organization, He said, big organizations have big challenges. As Right based organization we want sustainable democracy, we want responsible state, and we are accepting these challenges.
Member SPO Board of Directors Mr. Javed Jabbar in his key note address revealed the story of transformation of a single project into one of the leading Civil Society Organization of Pakistan with a sprawling outreach to communities, networks, civil society organizations and CBOs. He added that SPO has worked in conditions of rapid change seen decline institutional, capacity wise and at state level, but we take pride that SPO has preserve its values .
Members SPO BoD Syed Abid Ali Rizvi, Ex CEs Dr. Suleman Shiekh, Mr.Ali Akbar, Mr. Harris Khalique shared their views about being connected with SPO.
Grassroots leader women who have been playing leadership roles in civil society shared their views and experiences in the session, “women and civil society”. They shared their contribution for good governance, social cohesion and tolerance, women and political rights and capacity building of political parties.
20 years ceremony was marked with SPO documentary showing success stories from all over the country, Theatre performance with theme of organizational growth and Puppet show messaging peace and harmony. SPO ‘s 20years journey through photographs and handicrafts Mela also grabbed the attention of the guests. Pairs clad in regional traditional dresses together cut the cake to show SPO‘s spirit of respecting diversity and harmony in the society.
SPO celebrated twenty years of work for Human rights amid a diverse gathering of, politicians, foreign dignitaries, professors, human rights activists, community representtatives, Journalists and intellectualsat local hotel in Islamabad.
Keeping in mind the drought situation in Thar, the program started with paying gratitude to Thar drought survivors by Ms. Tahira Abdullah and recitation of poem by a renowned poetess Kishwar Naheed. A candle was also lit to show the hope and solidarity with Thar survivors.