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E-Newsletter April-June 2015

Quarterly Edition

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Welcome Note

This Issue Contains

1. Highlights of the Quarter (April-June, 2015)

2. Theme of the Quarter

3. Upcoming/ongoing activities & projects

We welcome our readers to our second quarterly edition of E-Newsletter-2015. It presents a broad outline of the ongoing projects and the progress made in the last quarter along with a glimpse of our future targets and milestones. It also showcases our key engagements related to our selected theme for this quarter i.e. Youth San Borders.

Introduction – PEAD Foundation

Peace Education and Development (PEAD) Foundation is a non-profit training and advocacy organization operating in Pakistan since 2002, with a mission to educate and empower the people of Pakistan towards establishing a country in which every citizen holds and enjoys equal status and equal rights. For achieving this mission, the Foundation implements projects and programs that promote values of democracy, responsible citizenship, pluralism and social harmony. (Please visit www.pead.org.pk for more information)

Three broad themes which define the areas of operation of PEAD Foundation are: a) Minority Rights b) Democracy & Governance c) Peace Building & Social Cohesion

For carrying out its work across Pakistan, the Foundation works in collaboration with both international and national partners. Our beneficiaries, to whom we reach out through our multiple projects/programs, particularly include women, youth and religious minorities, as highly germane stakeholders.

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Highlights of the Quarter Media Forums for Presenting Charter of Demand for Equal Political Participation of Minority Women: Equal citizenship rights and equal participation in the development process of a state is the key slogan of democracy and good governance. An ideal democratic country ensures that each of its citizens play their due participatory role in state affairs to the maximum possible level regardless of their caste, color, religious, ethnic or gender identities.

To support the cause, besides others PEAD is also focusing on one of the major but neglected segments of the society. i.e. Women and their role in political and electoral process of Pakistan.

Further narrowing it down, women from religious minorities are a prime focus of PEAD Foundation through its project ‘Political Empowerment of Minority Women’. Educating 70 women on their political rights through 04 leadership trainings and then further facilitating them in their awareness raising and advocacy campaigns at community level as well as supporting them in approaching political leaders to advocate for their rights and demands. As a result of one year effort, these 70 women were mobilized and capacitated enough to draft a Charter of Demands for participation of women belonging to religious minorities into the political process. To present their demands for political participation of religious minorities on the table, they met and presented their Charter of Demands to MPAs from Punjab Assembly, Ms. Shunila-Minority reserve seat, Ms. Najma Afzal and Ms. Suriya Naseem to seek possible support and consensus on their demands. They also met religious representatives Pastor Joel Bhatti-A.S Garrison Church in Lahore and Pastor Bashir Francis in Faisalabad for further possible refinements in the demands and to seek agreement, harmony and support of religious leaders/representatives.

Charter of Demands We, the ‘Women of Minority Communities’ are struggling along with others ……...towards the development of our beloved country…….As a coalition of Minority Women…..…..We commit to our learning, knowledge and awareness amongst our communities.

Political Demands – Protecting democratic rights for all through free and fair election….must ensure participation of women from minority communities in all provincial functional peace committees

Increase Participation of Minority women in politics and decision making………fund and encourage mentorship between minority women in political positions – Read more http://www.pead.org.pk/2015/08/media-forums-for-presenting-charter-of-demand-for-equal-political-participation-of-minority-women/

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Voter Education Campaign for Local Government Election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Citizen’s right to vote and its fair utilization by them, and then its further impact on accountability of elected government, is the reflection of respect for democratic values in a state. According to Spearhead Research1- an independent, non-political and non-partisan center of research, analysis and consultancy, an upward trend was observed in 2013 general election which was 60% while for previous elections the turn out rate was 44% but unfortunately, at the same time 56% of the voters did not vote. This leads us to think that there is still long way to go to bring up the voters turn out rate to a satisfactory level.

It is generally accepted that voting is only one part of elections. The second, and an important, part is the accountability of the elected representatives by their voters. But in Pakistan, despite an improvement in overall voter turnout in last general elections in the year 2013, a considerable portion of registered voters did not utilize their right to vote. To contribute toward maximizing the voter turnout particularly of women voters in the Local Government elections in Khyber Pakhtukhawa, PEAD Foundation with the support of UNICEF led a voter education campaign in five (05) districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Kohat, Karak, Bannu, DI-Khan and Hangu. The basic objective of the campaign was to enhance the understanding of voters in general and of female voters in particular on the importance of voting and its benefits for the local community and secondly, to engage with local communities through a concerted campaign to encourage increased participation of females in electoral processes. For the purpose, PEAD held awareness raising campaign by organizing Training of Trainers who subsequently conducted extensive voter education seminars and sessions in their respective Union Councils in the target districts to further create multiplier effect of voting promotion campaign. The effects of these efforts became visible during the Local Government elections day in KP on 30th May 2015. In several areas of the target districts, which had never witnessed female voters in the past, many women showed up for voting. These areas include extremely remote localities like Esak Chountra, Palosa Sar and Shanawa Gudikhel of district Karak. Moreover, in Hangu district, Jirgas of local people in Thall Urban and Thall Rural had decided that females will not be allowed to cast vote during the local government election. The same was aired on local TV channels such as AVT Khyber as well. But despite this fact, females came out and cast their votes.

1 http://spearheadresearch.org/SR_CMS/index.php/researchopinions/pakistans-2013-general-election-new-trends

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“An impressive number of voters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) turned out to elect their local council representatives in the largest ever electoral exercise in the province on May 30, 2015”, says a preliminary report issued on 31st May, 2015 by Free And Fair Election Network (FAFEN), an elections’ watchdog in Pakistan. The report further goes on to add, “Although the participation of women voters improved considerably compared to previous polls in the province, obstacles to women’s voting were, nevertheless, prevalent in several areas.” (FAFEN, 2015)

“I have done masters in Islamiat and so far I have neither used my vote nor am I aware of the process of how to vote. We do have certain cultural limitations but if one takes care of that, it’s not impossible to use their right of voting. After attending this session I am fully aware of the process and now, not only will I cast my vote but also mobilize other females of my village to use their right of voting in the forthcoming LG elections”. Russia Bibi, 35, UC Kahi- Hangu

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Theme of the Quarter – Youth San Borders Pakistan and Afghanistan are indeed conjoined twins, as stated by former President Hamid Karzai. But the two neighbors, besides sharing a 1400-mile contentious border, also share a turbulent history. A survey by The Asia Foundation in Afghanistan, held in 2013, revealed the high-level of negative perception among the Afghans towards Pakistan, which is seen as a source of most of the problems being faced by the country. Given the background, supported by The Asia Foundation, Peace Education And Development (PEAD) Foundation in cooperation with Afghanistan New Generation Organization (ANGO), a Afghanistan based NGO, initiated the project “Af-Pak Youth Dialogue”. The idea behind the dialogue was to create a platform for peaceful, citizen-to-citizen dialogue between Afghan and Pakistani youth and promote a culture of mutual understanding among the common public. As many as 16 youth (eight from each side) were selected from both countries. They were mostly young male and female students from universities across the country who expressed their Interest, passion and commitment towards the cause. Read more

Highlight of the Program - A 05-days Conference in Kabul - The major highlight of

the program was the one-week conference, convened in Kabul from May 21 to 27, 2015. The aim of the conference was to provide a long lasting experience for the delegates of both sides, which would not only provide them an opportunity to meet and see each other but also to challenge perceptions. Both PEAD and ANGO wanted to show the 16 delegates of both countries the face of Afghanistan which is not under a lot of spotlight in the media, which tends to focus more on violence in general and on the differences between the two countries in particular.

The visit also provided them the opportunity to experience the dynamics of life of young Afghans in the capital city and reflect on the similarities and differences between the new generations. The second aspect of the conference was to challenge the delegates of both sides to think critically about the similarities and analyze the causes for the polarization of the common public within the two countries towards politics.

It is hoped that the creation of this unofficial channel of diplomacy will enable the citizens of both nations to understand our similarities and differences, and break the barriers of misconception that has contributed to the mistrust between the two countries.

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Key Features Visit to Pakistan Embassy: Keeping in mind the sensitivities of

political issues about the countries, the dialogue arranged a tour

with the high dignitaries of Pakistani Embassy in Kabul. Pakistan

as a neighbor has been extensively involved in the development

of Afghanistan over the past years; however, none of these

development efforts had been given the right exposure. The tour

of Pakistani Embassy was solely organized to open up the

dialogue between the youth of countries with a positive message

of cooperation between the two countries.

The Road Map: One of the successes of the program involved

the youth from two sides in coming up with joint ideas and

activities to implement, which foster better relations. This

agenda, titled as Af-Pak Road Map, saw youth delegates work in

groups and conceive creative ideas of promoting friendship

between the two countries as well as become ambassadors of

peace in their own capacities all the while working with youth

from the other country. The delegates would be implementing

the road-map in their local communities upon their return.

Meeting the Minister: The visit of Pakistani youth created a buzz

in the Kabul social circles. As the word spread, the organizers of

the Af-Pak Youth Dialogue received a request from The Ministry

of Border and Tribal Affairs to host the delegation. The delegates

met with Minister of Border and Tribal Affairs, Mr. Gulab Mangal.

The meeting was an opportunity for the youth to talk about the

steps which the two governments are planning on taking to

better the relationship. The Minister appreciated the Af-Pak

Youth Dialogue and termed it an important step for improving

relations between the two countries and the youth specifically.

Kabul University Dialogue: Four Afghan and four Pakistani

delegates sat around a table in Afghanistan Center at Kabul University

(ACKU)’s auditorium for a discussion with more than 200 young Kabul

University students in attendance. The discussion, on the role of youth

in cross cultural dialogue, was focused on how the young generation of

the two countries, which forms up more than 50% of the population,

can play a role in citizen dialogue. Afghan journalist Mujib Mashal, who

works with the New York Times, moderated the discussion. These

interactive discussion sessions proved to be highly productive as it

provided the students with a platform where they found themselves

comfortable and completely at ease to intimately discuss certain

prevalent myths and realities about both the countries. They also brainstormed to find out possible ways to promote

and strengthen bilateral relations.

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The History Lesson: The world has known Afghanistan for its

decades of war. The dialogue was an opportunity to overshadow

the three decades of war with a 5000 years old history that Kabul

has to showcase and takes pride in. The delegates were taken to

the historical places of Kabul including the Kabul Museum, the

Darulaman Palace and the Babur Gardens. The reason for the

historical tours were to not only to show the rich culture the

country carries, but also to show the negative impact of conflict. It

was a juxtaposing experience the dialogue gave the delegates, to

look and reflect upon.

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The Fun: Other than the serious atmosphere of discussions and

forums, the delegates of both countries were given the opportunity

to sit back and relax. The delegates went to a picnic sight in the

outskirts of Kabul for an evening to experience the chills of the cold

Kabul nights in spring. They went to have their first bowling

experience in Kabul. They were invited to barbeque party of live

music and traditional Afghan attires, where they could sit back and

relax their minds from the critical discussions of the day and loosen

up to the localities of Afghanistan.

The Trees of Friendship: The delegates of both countries took

upon themselves the responsibility to plant friendship trees in one

of Kabul’s neighborhood parks to make their friendship a lasting

bond. The delegates planted more than 50 trees that would remain

in the park and be remembered forever.

The Af-Pak Youth Dialogue delegates have been busy in spreading the message of peace and friendship among the youth since the end of the Kabul conference. Among others, these include taking part in radio shows, writing blogs, use of social media and carrying out orientation sessions with students in local educational institutions and universities with other youth. The primary idea behind these activities, which are ongoing, is to spread what the delegates have learned through their personal interactions with Afghan youth. Read more: http://www.pead.org.pk/2015/08/af-pak-youth-dialogue/

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Expressions

‘Af-Pak Youth Dialogue has been a very educating experience where I have got the opportunity to learn, explore as well as share. The program has helped me in having a closer insight on the Af-Pak relations. Besides, it is a great platform to explore and demonstrate one's leadership and conflict resolution skills’ – Elsa Chandio, 19, Jamshoro, student at NUML

‘Af-Pak Youth Dialogue played a significant role in bringing the youth of two nations together. The visit to Afghanistan broadened my ideas on how youth of both countries

can work together to foster the development of its people.’ – Abida Rafique, 29, PhD student at International Islamic University Islamabad

“Kabul visit was the opportunity to know the real reasons of misconceptions between the two countries and to find out the solutions for reducing it. I hope that one day, the citizens of both countries will realize that we are like one body and can never be separated from each other.” – Imtiaz Ali, 23, Charsada, a youth activist

‘Visiting Kabul was like coming back to a home I never knew I had. We are similar on so many levels and yet different. Kabul was nothing like what news told me back home. Neither were the people extremist cynics norwere there any burka clad oppressed women. At the end of the day, they were all humans just like me who wanted to reach out and create bonds of friendship for a better future and peace. I received a lot of love and support, and brought back many gifts and memories.’ – Sarah Khan, 22, is a BSc student at IM Sciences, Peshawar

‘AF-Pak Youth Dialogue was an opportunity of life time. From change of perspectives to a better understanding of the other side of Afghanistan, the dialogue has been a successful venture. May the brotherly ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan get stronger and the two countries prosper together.’ – Rida Umer, 23, an undergraduate media student from Fatima Jinnah University, Rawalpindi

“Representing one’s country is always a matter of pride, and I got an opportunity, thanks to Af-Pak Youth Dialogue. The project has given me the opportunity to become an ambassador of peace and I got to learn about the softer image of Afghanistan through interactions with the young generation.” – Imran Ali, 31, Quetta and a student of Peace and Conflict Studies National Defense University, Islamabad

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Other Ongoing Projects

Just and Sustainable Peace in Pakistan - Just and Sustainable Peace in Pakistan is a joint venture of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and Peace Education and Development Foundation (PEAD).

At national and provincial levels, program activities are aimed at mobilizing male and female policy makers and opinion leaders from civil society and religious groups, as well as from Government – especially the education sector – and the media, to address and dissuade religious-political extremism and the misuse of religion. At district and local levels, the program facilitates dialogue and cooperation between female and male members from civil society organizations and faith-based groups representing all religions and sects in the given areas, to prevent violent conflict, promote peace and strengthen social cohesion.

Young Democrats Academy – The project

aims at ensuring the participation of all citizens in democratic processes by promoting enhanced accountability of elected officials to their constituencies. It holds the objectives that

Young Democrats Academy members are constructively engaged with constituents, and seek solutions to issues raised by the community in bi-weekly and monthly forums

Citizens utilize opportunities to approach local parliamentarians to collectively raise their issues of concern. Read more http://www.pead.org.pk/projects/

Rights of Expression, Association, Assembly and Thought (REAT) Network – The REAT Network is an independent network of civil society organizations dedicated towards working for the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities in Pakistan. Having 25 member organizations from across the country with presence in all four provinces, REAT serves as a platform for the minorities in Pakistan to share the issues, grievances and challenges faced by them while also serving as a forum to raise collective voices for their rights.

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Peace, Education and Development (PEAD) Foundation is the national media partner for REAT Network and has engagements in all forms of media to highlight the issues and persecution of minorities in the country. This includes, radio, TV shows, social media and capacity building of journalists on coverage of minorities’ issues. Public Outreach strategy have also been the part of PEAD Foundation under the REAT network, that allowed us to generate debate on the issues particular to religious minorities through seminars, panel discussions and round tables with all the potential stakeholders.

Promoting Social Cohesion and Resilience - The project is the first ever initiative of UNICEF Pakistan and PEAD Foundation aiming at sensitization, capacity building and strengthening of bonds between the Madrassa & public school students, teachers and faith leaders of the selected institutions in three districts- Swat, Peshawar and Kohat of the KP province.

The goal of the project is to increase the capacity of target beneficiaries by providing them with enabling environment and training to understand the significance of social harmony and the need for active engagement in the host communities for promotion of social cohesion and resilience. This is being done through the medium of art/calligraphy, discussion forums, sports and other educational activities so that the direct and indirect beneficiaries have increased ability to contribute actively towards social cohesion and peace in the region.

GET To KNOW US Website: www.pead.org.pk Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/peadfoundation Twitter: https://twitter.com/PEADFoundation CONTACT US Phone: 92-51-285-15-17,281-61-08 Fax: 92-51-285-15-18 Email: peaddsl.net.pk