Dunya Foundation conducts seminar on “Lessons in Development from the Community” featuring Kasur Mawakhat Report

Dunya Foundation in collaboration with Akhuwat organised an interactive seminar titled; Lessons in Development from the Community featuring the Kasur Mawakhat Program at the University of Central Punjab.

The event started with a warm and heartfelt welcome address by Mian Amer Mahmood. In his address, he shed light on the core concept of Mawakhat Program. He said to end poverty in the country, each affluent family must adopt a poor family and support them like their own. This will help them in not only becoming financially stable but also play a vital role in the development of their community. He stressed on the need to take this drive and initiative forward by well-off people with full zeal as the success of Kasur Muwakhat Program has proved the fact that it is a doable project to end poverty.

This followed by an exhibit of the real life stories of few of the beneficiaries of the Kasur Mawakhat Program who believed in the spirit of Mawakhat and transformed their lives and that of their community. The inspiring stories moved the audience greatly and inspired them to become leaders of change. These beneficiaries were titled as “Our Heroes”.

Dr. Amjad Saqib introduced the vision behind Kasur Mawakhat Program and the concept of Participatory Development; a phenomenon whereby communities, civic groups and individuals take a direct role in the decisions that shape their lives. He explained how social mobilization and development interventions led by the people are the most sustainable way to bring a positive change.

This was followed by an interactive panel discussion led by eminent personalities including: Chief Executive Officer- Rural Support Program Network; Ms. Shandana Khan, Country Representative- Democracy Reporting International; Mr. Javed Ahmed Malik, General Manager- National Rural Support Program; Mr. Agha Ali Javed, Member Provincial Assembly- Health Minister Punjab; Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Professor for Political Sciences Department of Humanities and Social Sciences LUMS. Afterwards a Q & A session was conducted.

The highlight of the event was a keynote address by Shoaib Sultan; a prominent name of the country and one of the pioneers of rural development programmes in Pakistan. Mr. Shoaib shared his extensive experience related to sustainable development plans dedicated to socio-economic uplift of the rural and underprivileged community of Pakistan.

The event concluded with a closing address encouraging masses to play their role in ensuring participatory development across rural areas of Pakistan followed by lunch.***