NAWABSHAH (Pakistan): The National Disability and Development Forum (NDF) recently conducted capacity building sessions for CSOs, CBOs and DPOs in collaboration with the organization Darul Sukun and UNICEF in Nawabshah District Shaheed Benazir Abad.
Training was conducted at Gymkhana District Shaheed Benazir Abad where 50 organizations participated. After the training, certificates were handed to participants by the Minister of Social Welfare, Madam Shamim Mumtaz and MPA Khair un Nisa. This training was unprecedented, providing information for local organizations that always face problems with meeting the professional criteria of donors. In these sessions, organizations were trained on how to develop an organization in line with donor needs and internal developments.
Minister for Social welfare Madam Shamim Mumtaz awarding certificate to a participant
The Minister for Social Welfare participated as chief guest in the training session. The trainers and facilitators conducted sessions on disability, types of impairments, causes, prevention and rehabilitation. The development community was urged to include disability in their thematic areas.
Participants showed substantial interest and awareness was created around the needs of persons with disabilities. They showed commitment to work on disability in their locality. The Minister said that this practice leads to real development, emphasizing that the government cannot do more without the support of civil society. If civil society is sensitized on disability rights and needs, he went on to say, there is no doubt that more can be done.
Today, CSOs are seeing enhanced capacity in understanding their roles and their contributions, and this is remarkable. The Minister lauded services provided by Darul Sukun, UNICEF and NDF stating that they are change makers and are developing the capacities of Institutes/CBOs, NGOs and DPOs so that these can be empowered in the professional world. He stated that the development of one institute/CBO means the development of society as a whole. Society needs nothing but services for humanity, he claimed, while encouraging NDF and other partners to create more opportunities including training, workshops and innovations. He urged the training of parents and individuals, sports activities and other areas to be covered throughout Sindh and to engage the community. He promised to fully support those organizations working for people with disability.
The president of NDF and lead trainer Mr. Abid Lashari, welcomed all trainees from different localities of Nawabshah, shared objectives of the training and also basic information, including on disability, assistive devices, disability laws, Inclusive SDGs, and Inclusion and Disability-Diversity. He said that disability is not the problem, but instead, it is poor understanding which has created barriers in society. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed to reduce poverty and enhance inclusion of person with disabilities through Inclusive Goals. Development, he stated cannot be assumed without inclusion, acceptance and respect for the disabled community.
Darul Sukun, a facilitator and Mr. Amir Hamza, covered various topics including organizational infrastructure and registration, functioning and sustainability of CBOs, NGOs and DPOs. Master trainer Mr. Shams Jokhio, conducted a session on report writing and proposal writing. He said that these are critical for NGOs in sustaining their functions within the development sector. Master trainer Mr. Amin Solangi facilitated trainees on financial management, including voucher setting, filing, cash books, and book keeping among others. He said that financial management plays a vital role in sustaining the functioning of an NGO, and that transparency depends on book keeping. Financial records support the auditing of NGOs, and this is mandatory in applying for project funding.
Mr. Manoj Kumar, another master trainer showed a video documentary on duty/responsibility during the workshop. He stated that being a citizen and a civil society activist, mean that sense of duty is critical. Civil society is the soul of development and a better future, and went on to state that we should join our efforts in forming an effective workforce.
