Islamabad: A two-day national conference on ‘Community-Driven Development’ begins here today (Monday). Organised by the European Union (EU) and Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), the conference aims to emphasise the transformative approach of Rural Support Programmes to local community-driven development. In doing so, it will also highlight the work of organized local communities and its social and economic impact on the poor. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will be the chief guest of the conference while Marvi Memon, chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, will be the guest of honour. EU Ambassador to Pakistan Jean-François Cautain, secretary Economic Affairs Division Tariq Bajwa, chairman RSPN Shoaib Sultan Khan, among other government officials, academia and social sector experts from Pakistan, India, Germany, Afghanistan and Tajikistan will address the conference and share their experience of community mobilization and its impact on the lives of poor in their countries.
