World NGO Day observed

Islamabad

The leaders and members of different Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) were of the opinion that there is an immediate need for better and enhanced collaboration and cooperation between different NGOs to draw maximum output from the efforts being made to bring about a change in the society at grass roots level. 

Members of around 150 national as well as international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) got together at the premises of the National Centre for Rural Development (NCRD) to observe the World NGO Day Saturday. 

In the deliberations the participants pointed out that different NGOs are working on achieving identical objectives in the same area but are not coordinating or collaborating with each other, keeping themselves and their activities aloof. 

"There are quite frequent instances where more than one NGOs are working on the same project in the same area, even in the same village but are not collaborating with each other. This is something that has to be taken up seriously by the NGOs as well as the donors and some kind of policy guideline need to be devised to ensure that such repetitive work, either could be avoided or be collaborated to draw the optimum results," the Executive Director of 'The NGO World', Zafar Iqbal said. 

He also urged the United Nations (UN) to include the 'World NGO Day' in its calendar of events.   

A large number of participating NGOs also set up their stalls at the premises where they highlighted their work and efforts they have been making to create awareness about different social, economic, and cultural issues. 

The organisers also arranged a documentary competition and the three award-winning documentaries were also screened for the audience on the occasion. The one adjudged first by the jury was prepared by the Shifa Foundation and focused on the plight of people of Thar, particularly raising the health issues because of non-availability of safe drinking water in the area as well as highlighting the efforts the NGO is engaged in the education and skill development field. 

The second was prepared by the Nur Foundation, focusing on the education and skills development for youth while the third was presented by the Red Crescent, highlighting their efforts in Mansehra area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, helping youth to learn different skills and entrepreneurship. 

The award winning documentaries were presented the Social Work Encouragement, Recognition and Appreciation (SWERA) wards. The Awards were presented by Dr Zafar Qadir, the former Director-General NCRD, Ammar Jaffery, Chairman Taleem Foundation and Atiqqu Rahman Mirza, founder of Momentum Counseling.  

Programme Manager of 'The NGO World', Sardar Shakeel Akash, who organized the whole show, said that this was the third event organized and the participation has boosted manifolds as compared with the first function organized back in 2014. He expressed the hope that the event will gain further momentum and hoped that it will be even better the next year.