Seminar on supporting peace held

Islamabad
A national workshop cum seminar on ‘Strengthening the role of business in supporting peace through social harmony in Pakistan’ was organised by International Alert at a hotel here, says a press release.
The event marked the completion of projects funded by the European Union (EU), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Foreign Commonwealth Office of the British High Commissionthrough Enhanced Democratic Accountability and Civic Engagement (EDACE) project (which is managed by Development Alternatives Incorporated - DAI).
Dr. Haris Qayyum, country representative of International Alert welcomed all the participants and gave an introduction of international alert globally and in Pakistan. International Alert is a 27-year old international non-governmental organisation based in United Kingdom. In Pakistan, Alert works in all provinces through the support of different donors including European Union, CIDA, Oxfam Novib, FCO and DFID. Alert is working on private sector, economic empowerment, gender, social integration of migrants and minorities and also offers training programmes on peace sensitive programming and business practices.
Dr. Markus Mayer, regional manager of South and South East Asia International Alert also spoke on the occasion on the increasing role of the private sector and its huge potential in promoting social cohesion and harmony. Ambassadors from Belgium and of Cuba also attended the seminar. Other participants included representatives from French and Danish embassy, donors, government, international and national NGOs and the civil society at large.