Islamabad, December 16, 2024: The Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR) held an important webinar called “Community and Social Welfare Initiatives: Empowering Local Architects of Change.” It brought together teachers, leaders, and activists from South Asia and the Middle East to talk about how to help communities and make positive changes.
Professor Dr. Amna Mehmood from the International Islamic University Islamabad led the event. The speakers included Dr. Song Xihui from Sichuan University in China, Dr. George Cook from the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies in Sri Lanka, Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan from Hunan University in China, and Ms. Anwar Ghaith, a young activist from Lebanon. Each speaker shared ideas on how to handle challenges like lack of resources and difficulties in reaching people who need help.
The speakers talked about how working together with local communities can lead to lasting results. They shared examples from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East. For instance, technology is helping people in Pakistan’s villages get better healthcare. In Sri Lanka, education is empowering women, and in Lebanon, legal campaigns are improving human rights and social justice.
They also discussed how countries in South Asia and the Middle East can share ideas and work together. Dr. Song shared how China’s government-supported projects helped reduce poverty, which could be a model for other countries. The importance of businesses helping communities through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was also highlighted.
The speakers said young people are key to making positive changes. They suggested training and involving youth in projects like education, disaster preparedness, and starting businesses. This would help create a stronger, more creative generation. They also stressed the importance of including local community members in planning and making decisions about development projects.
At the end of the webinar, the speakers encouraged everyone to take real steps to help weaker communities. Dr. Amna Mehmood said this webinar is just the beginning of more discussions to promote equal development and teamwork. The IICR promised to continue supporting such efforts and partnerships for a better future.
