‘NGO Day’ observed

Islamabad: The ‘NGO World’, a non-governmental organisation, arranged a day-long function in collaboration with the Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST) and ‘Taleem Foundation to observe the ‘World NGO Day’ at the CUST campus.

Representatives of more than 100 NGOs from all over Pakistan participated in the event. The participating NGOs set up their stalls and distributed the reports and pamphlets, highlighting their field of work, efforts they have or are making and the goals and objectives they had achieved.

The ‘NGO World’ started observing the day in 2014 when Marcis Liors Skadmanis announced to observe February 27 as the ‘World NGO Day’ and it was the fifth successive event they had arranged this year to mark the day.

Zafar Iqbal, the ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ said that observing this day is more important than ever, as we are living in difficult times for NGOs and for civil society around the world, NGOs are a voice for those who are too often not heard.

The activities arranged on the day included a ‘National Conference for Greater Good’, display of projects of different NGOs, a ‘Job Fair’ aimed providing access to the students to connect with social sector.

The Vice-Chancellor of the CUST, Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, was the guest of honor and inaugurated the event. The Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Mr Joao Paulo Marques Sabido Costa was the ‘Chief Guest’ for the exhibition.

Marcis Liors Skadmanis, Founder of ‘World NGO Day’ shared his views through video link and appreciated the efforts made by Zafar Iqbal, the ‘Goodwill Ambassador for World NGO Day Pakistan’ and Abubakar Siddique, Director Volunteer in Service, CUST to organize such a successful event.

Earlier, the ‘Goodwill Ambassador World NGO Day Pakistan’, Zafar Iqbal, highlighted the importance of the day. He urged all the organisations to act together for social and greater good. He also shared the future plans of his organisations with the participants.

Abubakar Siddique, Director Volunteer in Service (CUST) shared the vision of VIS department of CUST. He emphasized the importance of volunteer work for students in social and development sector to become a useful citizen of this country.

Dr. Saeed Elahi, Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society, was the chief guest of ‘World NGO Day’. He appreciated the efforts of the ‘NGO World’ and CUST for organizing the event. He highlighted the importance of on social work to make the world a safer and better place to live. He also appreciated the participation of youth and expressed the hope that youth would continue to participate in such of events and groom as civic leaders.

In the end an ‘Islamabad NGO’s Declaration for Greater Good’ was also passed in which the participating organisation agreed on a 20 point agenda that lays down a set of guidelines for the NGO sector to deliver effectively for the target communities and earn a good name for not only the social sector but also for the beloved homeland.