Role of Youth in Peace_Quetta Quarterly report
Quarterly report For the period of First Quarter April – June 2007 Submitted to: Canada Fund for Local initiatives (CIDA) Submitted by: Institute for Democracy and Human Rights IDHR 1. Naseem Plaza Arbab Town Samungli Road Quetta Pakistan Email: idhrpk@yahoo.com
Table of contents 1 Executive summary
Annexure
Executive Summary
This first quarterly report reflects the activities of quarterly action and implementation plan for the accomplishment of contractual tasks; it also contains the over all status, achievements and bottlenecks faced during the undertaking activities under “Peace Education for Afghan refugees, youths in Balochistan” for the quarter April – June 2007.
This quarterly report encompasses a wide range of activities undertaken by IDHR during the last quarter with primary intent to identify potential areas and youth in suburb of Quetta where Afghan refugees are settled, with special intent on youth to promote and protect peace in these areas through empowering youth.
These activities have been taken in three areas of Quetta and conducted survey in these areas for the identification and formation of potential youth groups of Afghan refugees. Series of meetings were conducted in the settlements of Afghan refugees to identify and select potential youth for formation of youth groups.
A lot of rapport building meetings were also conducted in the mentioned area to share the objectives and process of the project with all relevant stakeholders.
Three areas were selected for above mentioned purpose like Satellite Town, Brewary and Naseer Abad road Quetta.
A steering committee was formed to support and supervise the project activities, methodologies and outputs. Three youth groups were formed in the mentioned/selcted area. It was very necessary to train some activists about the deep understanding of the project who precede the activities of the project in a good manner ahead, so a training of trainers was conducted for a group of 15 members 5 members from each group.
Understanding of their role as youths in the promotion and protection of Peace was very necessary for the youth. So a dialogue was conducted for them and they participated in the dialogue. Series of meetings were conducted with all stakeholders to have close coordination and understanding of the project.
Progress details:
Team selection: After signing the contract between CIDA and IDHR, team selection was the initial activity for IDHR management; So IDHR announced the vacancies and selected a team for the implementation of the activities of the project. A project coordinator, two Social organizers (one male and one female) and one accountant were selected in the team.
Orientation to team: After selection, the Executive director and president of IDHR have given a detailed orientation about the concept, process, objectives and methodologies of the project.
Visits of different of communities: IDHR team visited different Areas, like Ghus Abad, Satellite Town and Brewery etc, in the suburb of Quetta where Afghan refugees are settled to identify appropriate target groups to be sensitized, organized and educated on peace and tolerance. Baseline survey was conducted in these visited areas accordingly.
Finalization of target areas: After visiting these areas, three communities Brewery, Satellite town and Naseer Abad Road were found potential, selected and finalized for the implementation of the project.
Formation of steering committee: Formation of a steering committee was essential for the smooth implementation of the project. So steering committees was formed to assist the project team in identification and formation of youth groups having close coordination with the communities and for other activities of the project. Seven members were included in this committee. President of IDHR, project coordinator, female social organizer of the project and four members were selected from the target communities.
Conduction of rapport building meetings with target communities: After selection and finalization of the areas, a series of meetings were conducted in the selected communities. These rapport building meetings were conducted in three areas namely, Brewery, Satellite Town and area of Naseer Abad Road Quetta. Three meetings were conducted in each area. Project team conducted series of meetings in these three areas. Executive director of IDHR was also participated in these meetings. Different potential youngsters were identified for youth groups during these. The process, objectives and strategies were also discussed in these meetings.
Discussions were made with tribal influentials, teachers, students, female teachers, health workers and social activist during these meetings.
Formation of youth groups: The basic focus and attention has given to youth in this project. So it was necessary to form some groups of youth in the target areas that activities can under take in a good manner according the basic concept of the project and vision of the IDHR. So series of meetings were conducted in the selected areas with youth. A lot of youth participated in the meetings. IDHR team shared the objectives and methodologies of the project during these meetings. Three groups were formed in the selected areas. One group belongs to Barwary area, one to Satellite town and other to Naseer Abad road area of Satellite town Quetta. There are 25 members in each youth group. These participants selected the members of their youth group themselves. There are teachers, students social and community activists in these groups. IDHR team is conducting regular meetings and other activities with these youth peace groups. They have close coordination with each other. IDHR team has been conducting different activities related to the role of youth and the concept of the project.
Dialogue with youth groups on “The role of Youth in Peace” A dialogue was conducted on 15th April 2007 in Satellite town Quetta and members of all youth groups participated in the dialogue. In this dialogue different groups were formed and group works were arranged on the issues of peace, tolerance and harmony. All the participants shared their views in the dialogue. All the participants shared the issues in the way of peace and human rights through discussions, group works and role plays. They shared that we are facing a lot of troubles to face and deal with all these issues which are disturbed state of peace in our communities. We have no platform where we can discuss these issues, because we displaced from our own home land and we are becoming unfamiliar with our own culture. We have many clashes in Afghanistan, on property, tribal clashes and sectarian clashes and we are facing the same issues here in Pakistan. Our elders have no platform of unity. Now IDHR has arranged a platform for us and this will be a very effective and useful platform for us. The participants shared that we will try to remove all these issues in the way of peace through our youth groups and replicate these activities in our families and communities. Capacity building and different trainings are an important part of the project. So a two days Training of Trainers was conducted on 26th and 27th June 2007 at “Bolan Garden “Quetta.
Training of Trainers The training of trainer was conducted on “Peace Education for youth”. Five member from each youth group participated in the training. The objective of the training was to prepare some trainers in among the youth groups who can precede the activities of the project further with their groups, families and communities and share the local, national and global root cause with them which are affecting the peace and harmony in their communities. One objective of the training was to share with them that there are a lot of aspects in our culture and religion and now a days those aspects are becoming weaker and how to strengthen those ways that could protect and promote peace in our countries and communities. Learning and observation: The participants showed much interest as all the activities were of their interest and need. The key reasons that developed their interest were the use of local languages, sharing local examples and participatory training approaches.
Training methodologies like role-plays, group discussions, presentations, etc. resulted in positive impacts in developing more clarity roles, skills, knowledge and understanding of participants in regard of peace, conflicts and human rights.
Local examples helped the participants to relate the local issues with global issues and it raised their interest.
Each participant was eager to relate the issue with his or her personal and family life.
Females are more affected as well as male from disharmony in the communities, societies and countries.
Participants were interested share and learn more and more about their homeland Afghanistan
When the team shared in the beginning with the youth groups about the activities, concepts, methodologies and incorporated their views in the processes and it was a success strategy
Way of proceedings in Pashto and Persian languages was also strength of the process
Challenges and constraints:
Annex I Dialogue with Peace Youth Groups on “Role youth in Peace”
Role of Youth in Peace
Back ground: Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) is Quetta based organization working in the field of Peace Education, Human rights and promotion of Democracy in Balochistan. IDHR is making efforts to create a just, democratic and peaceful world. It makes efforts to promote and protect human rights, democray and Peace in Balochistan. Recently IDHR has initiated a project with financial support of Canada Fund for Local Initiatives on “Peace Education for Afghan Youth”. In the mentioned project different youth groups have formed as target groups in sub rubs of Quetta where Afghan refugee communities are settled. The activities of the mentioned project are in process with these target groups. In this regard a dialogue was held with a target group in Satellite Town Quetta on “Role of Youth in Peace”. Date: 15/4/2007 Venue: Satellite Town Quetta Agenda: Role of youth in Peace Participants profile: Members of youth group, Students, teachers’ shopkeepers, community and community activists (Participants list attached). Proceedings of the dialogue: The dialogue was initiated with the recitation of the Holy Qumran and Mr.Parvez got the honor of the recitation. After that all the participants introduced themselves with each other. After introduction Sultan Mohammad program Manager IDHR shared with the participants about the objectives of the dialogue, that IDHR seeks to know that what are issues facing by Afghan youth in the way of peace and what role can youth play for promotion of peace. So it is going to arrange a dialogue with you to know the ground realities in this regards. So all the participants shared about the issues in regard of peace and also shared about their role towards a peaceful a society. First all a participant said that we are facing a lot of difficulties in regard of peace in both countries Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Afghanistan we fought a battles first with Russian army and then with the own country men on different matters. We are bearing those enmities here in Pakistan. We have divided on the bases of religions, sects, tribes and other ethnic groups. Our elders have conflicts with each others due to above mentioned reasons and most of out elders are illiterate. Now it is the duty of youth to understand the root causes of all these conflicts which are troubling the peace and then play our role to promote the peace in our society. Another participant shared that our elders have no such occasions to sit together and to come close to each others. We have no any institutions here to bring us on a plat form where we can understand each other and the causes of our conflicts. So now it is the duty of youth to have such arrangements where we can share our joys and sorrows openly and can understand each other. This is good platform for us and we should replicate these lessons to our families and society. Here on this forum we belong to different ethnic groups and we are sharing here merrily. A participant shared that there are different aspects and opportunities in our culture which are promoting the peace in the society. But unfortunately here we have no occasions where we can participate. In our culture people gather on the occasions of joys and sorrows and learn from each other. In this way they come closer to each other and sympathy and respect get space in their hearts for each other and in this way peace is promotes in the society. But unfortunately here we have such kind of opportunities. So youth must create such kind of opportunities and in this way they can promote peace. Another participant shared we here in Pakistan we have no a uniform and standardized syllabus to read and teach and also have no such kind of institutions for education. It is main problem for us. Another participant also pointed out the same issue of text and curriculum. He said that through curriculum nations learns about their culture and the good values like peace. But unfortunately in refugee’s camps we read a syllabus which are not related to our culture and which syllabus we read create hatred in our minds and we just read about the arms and such other harmful materials and aspects of the society. So it youth can play an important role in the promotion of peace to search out such kind of reading materials which promotes the peace in the society. One other participant said that music is an important tool for the peace of mind but here in Pakistan we have such kind of opportunities of music arrangements. So youth must create such kind of opportunities. Some participants said that we have no any kind of institutions and councilors where and with home we can share our personals issues that we can understand our selves and our own strengths and weaknesses. So by arranging such training of self awareness youth understand themes and their role as a responsible citizen of the society. They said when people learn taking responsibilities and that society becomes a peaceful society.
In the end a group work was arranged in four groups. Two groups highlighted the issues and problems of youth in the society and other two groups highlighted the opportunities and hopes where youth can play their in creating a peaceful world. Some of the issues highlighted by first two groups: Conflicts of elders Good health Analysis: We analyzed that The group has good understanding of their issues and problems Annex II
Two days Training of Trainers
Agenda: Peace Education for youth
Date: June 26- 27, 2007
Venue: Bolan garden Quetta
Back ground: Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) is Quetta based organization working in the field of Peace Education, Human rights and promotion of Democracy in Balochistan. IDHR is making efforts to create a just, democratic and peaceful world. It makes efforts to promote and protect human rights, democray and Peace in Balochistan. Recently IDHR has initiated a project with financial support of Canada Fund for Local Initiatives on “Peace Education for Afghan Youth”. In the mentioned project different youth groups have formed as target groups in sub rubs of Quetta where Afghan refugee communities are settled. The activities of the mentioned project are in process with these target groups. In this regard a training of Trainer was conducted for youth groups to prepare some master trainers who further precede the process of the project. Capacity building and different trainings are an important part of the project. So a two days Training of Trainers was conducted on 26th and 27th June 2007 at “Bolan Garden “Quetta. Agenda of the training: Peace Education for youth Participant’s profile: Five members from each youth group First day: The training was initiated with recitation of the Holy Quran. Project Coordinator Mr. Sultan Mohammad welcomed all the participants in the training and shared the objectives of the training with participants. He said that we are we are conducting this training that we can understand the real meaning of peace and peace education. We can know that which is the situation of peace in our society, community and country and region. What are the kinds of conflicts and reasons of conflicts in our society? Understanding of local, national and global reasons of conflicts is very necessary. In this training we will try to understand the root causes of these conflicts and come to solution. it is a training of trainers through this training we will try to prepare some trainers who can replicate this training further with the youth groups in their respective areas. After that all the participants introduced themselves with each other and made pairs and each member introduced his or her self as other. Norms and values were formed for the two days training. Participants shared their expectations and fears during the mentioned trainings. Expectations: The participants shared that expecting that we can learn about: Peace The participants shared their fears during the training Training will not start on time All the groups draw different pictures of peace in their respective communities. There were schools, gardens, play grounds, class rooms etc. Schools were present in almost each group. So the resource person said that peace has relation with education and awareness. When facilitator asked from the participants about peaceful countries that which country can consider as peaceful country. They all said that America, bratian and all developed countries are peaceful countries. The resource person said that if true that these developed countries have improved the condition of peace in their countries to a some extent but these develop countries are fighting battles in developing countries, using bombs on the innocent civilian population of Afghanistan, Iraq and Latin America. They have a large number of factories which are manufacturing arms. They are dealing in arms. He further said that these countries are preparing arms in a large number and they need markets of wars in the world. He drawn a map of the world that Afghanistan is very far away from America and it do nothing with America and it can not destroy America from there, but America fighting a battle there. America is not interested in the peace of world but it is interested in the mineral of Afghanistan and in the market of its arms. It is not peace to provide ready made to food and other things to the people but peace is process of respect to each other, freedom of expression of thoughts. State of disharmony is not a local issue but it has its global cause and responsibilities of responsible and aware people increase more. Peace is related with justice. Peace is related with distribution of resources. We must respect others as we want for ourselves. In such crucial conditions of peace and human rights we need plate forms where we can share our issues, thoughts with each others. Such kinds of trainings and dialogues in today’s situation. Our religion Islam teaches us about peace and respect for others,but now a days we have forgotten the original sprit of Islam and we are using Islam for our personal waste interests. We are acting like before Islam Arabs were doing. They were burying their daughters alive and we have bounded them to the walls of our homes. So in these situation it is to understand peace and respect for others. 2nd Day: 2nd day was started with refection of last day. The participants shared that the last day they have learned about peace, peace education, human rights different conflicts and the root causes of these conflicts. They shared that before this training we were considering all the issues locally but here we learnt that all of our issues and conflicts have global roots. They further shared that respect for each other in every walk of life is a better state of peace. After that group work was assigned to the participants and they were divided into three groups to write down the kinds of conflicts existing in their communities. They presented all their presentations and identified the following kinds of conflicts in their communities. Ideological After that the participants were once again divided in three groups. Different situation of conflicts were given to them and asked them to perform a role play over the situation and come with a solution. All the participants acted very well and identified the solution of the conflict. In the last the resource person said that you people identified and solved the conflict in very good and simple manner. He said all the conflicts can solved so easily if some one is sincere and interested. He said that our communities are looking for such kind of people who can understand root causes of the conflicts existing in the communities and solve them as social disease. In the last members of all three groups said that this was a very use full training for us and we will replicate with training in our group in our communities. Each group submitted their work plan for replicating the same training in their group. In the last Project coordinator thanked all the participants and resource person for participating in the training with such a devoting manner. |
