Introduction - Pead Foundation
Transcription
Introduction - Pead Foundation
E-NEWSLETTER: CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS PEAD Foundation- February 2016 Capacity Building of District Councilors on Reserved Seats DISTRCIT COUNCILORS CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM IN THIS ISSUE Introduction Peace Education And Development (PEAD) Foundation & Centre for Research & Security Studies (CRSS), initiated a three-month project for capacity building of District Councilors on Reserved Seats of Peshawar and Kohat, with the support of Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The News Letter provides a glimpse of all the elements of the project including the capacity building workshops and awareness campaign through media in order to highlight the impact and effectiveness of the intervention. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, the Local Government (LG) elections were held in May 2015 after a long gap of 10 years - the last one being in 2005. The long gap and adaptations in the revised LG system underlined the need to adopt measures that would help the nascent system work optimally. The newly elected representatives especially women, non-Muslims and youth were comparatively less likely to be familiar with the new or amended rules, laws, and procedures of the LG system, including administrative hierarchy and delegation of powers, as a new generation of grassroots politicians taking up the reins of local governance. This project aimed to contribute to the capacity building of District Councilors on reserved seats (Women, Peasant/Worker, Youth and NonMuslim) at the District Council level in Peshawar and Kohat. The capacity building activities were expected to contribute to responsive, efficient and accountable democratic systems. The project also aimed to develop the capacities of District Councilors on participatory planning, financial resource management, transparent budget processes and developing engagement platforms with citizens. The activities under this program conducted by PEAD Foundation & CRSS included; series of three two-days training workshops, Radio Programs & Media Forums for building capacity of women, peasant, youth, and minorities, elected in local government elections 2015 against reserved seats at the District Council level in key areas i.e., participatory planning, financial resource management, transparent budget processes and developing engagement platforms with citizens. Capacity Building Workshops Capacity Building Trainings of District Councilors of Peshawar & Kohat Page # 3 Radio Programs District Councilors participating in Radio Programs Page #5 E- NEWSLETTER CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS PEAD Foundation- February 2016 How It Worked The program is designed to enhance the capacity of newly elected district councilors of Peshawar and Kohat on their roles and responsibilities as district members, understanding of Local Government Structures and Act, Function and Powers as district members. In order to finalize the target groups’ for effective participation in the project activities, PEAD Foundation held meetings with relevant stakeholders including local and provincial party leaderships, women and non-Muslim party officials in Kohat and Peshawar at the start of the project and shared the aims and objectives of the project. The LG representatives of district Peshawar on reserved Seats including (Women, Youth, Peasants & minorities were 46 in total who were divided into two groups respectively: Peshawar 1 (P-1) Peshawar 2 (P-2) The representatives of Kohat District Councilors were 17 in total and formed one group Kohat 1 K-1) Nazim to approach the district councilors through Local Government System’s district coordination committees through formal and informal channels of communication in Kohat and Peshawar. This helped in compilation of the contact details of the district councilors on reserved seats. In addition, PEAD Foundation also held one-on-one meetings at city district government offices with the Nazims and Naib Nazim (convener) of City district Assembly Peshawar & Kohat in which few promised their support to the project staff and beneficiaries in any appropriate capacity. During the course of the project, the district members were also trained on media advocacy tools and participated in live radio programs. The project also involved a regular interaction between district councilors as they formulated their own action plans to deliver their job in better manner to help their constituency. The District Members from both districts appeared on 30 radio shows, hosted interactive sessions with their Consultation Meetings members of the District Government were also present. PEAD Foundation conducted consultation meetings with the District Nazim and Naib This was meant to take their feedback and inputs on the project objectives and to establish and strengthen their role as critical stakeholder in the project activities. They appreciated the comprehensive objectives of the project and stressed on building capacities of the elected district councilors regarding Local Government Act 2013 and the roles and functions of the district councilors. They constituents/callers and participated in Media forums in their home towns. SUPPORT FROM DISTRICT NAZIMS District Nazims of Peshawar & Kohat appreciate the initiative of the trainings of district councilors District Nazims of Peshawar & Kohat also participated in Radio Programs 2 E- NEWSLETTER CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS PEAD Foundation- February 2016 GLIMPSES OF TRAINING SESSIONS Group Photo of the participant of capacity building workshop in Kohat Peshawar Training Participants posing during a training activity Capacity Building Trainings OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS ON RESERVED SEATS OF PESHAWAR AND KOHAT The se grou ps were then give n two-days traini ng each in their respective district capitals. Eight (8 ) trainings of two (2) day s each were held (4 traini ngs in Peshawar and 4 in Kohat. The purpose of the se trainings was to buil d the capacity of district councilors and develop better understanding a bout the ir roles, responsibilities a nd functions as district councilor. Each of the 3 groups of District Councilors underwent comprehensive two-day training in their respective district. Discussion on Radio Program District Members of Kohat discussing Radio and Media Component during a training session FAST FACTS 52/60 52 district members participated in three trainings out of total 60 district members in Peshawar and Kohat. TRAINING OBJECTIVES 1. 2. Enable district councilors to contribute to responsive, efficient and accountable democratic systems as per the established standards Familiarize the newly elected representatives with the new or amended rules, laws, and procedures of the LG system, including administrative hierarchy and delegation of powers. Three trainings of two (2) day each were held (2 trainings in Peshawar and 1 in Kohat. The purpose of these trainings was to build the capacity of district councilors and develop better understanding about their roles, responsibilities, powers and functions as district councilor. Capacity Building of Councilors of Kohat K-1 District December 11 – 12, 2015 The training session was held with district members of Kohat which was attended by 12 participants, from reserved seat categories (women, peasants/workers, youth and minorities). The purpose of the training was to enhance their capacities and develop better understanding of the Local Government structure. The training sessions were facilitated by Mr. Ammad Khaliq & Mr. Ahsan Jehanzaib on Local Government System and Social Action Plans whereas Mr. Naseem and Ms Amna trained them on communication Skills and Radio Component. Capacity Building of Councilors of Peshawar P-1 Local Government System) & Mr. Safiullah Gul (Bureau Chief Dunya News Peshawar). However, the Radio Component was discussed by Ms. Asma and Mr. Naseem from Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). Capacity Building of District Councilors of Peshawar P-2 January 12 – 14, 2015 The third training session was also held in Peshawar and engaged 21 participants, from all reserved seat categories (women, peasants/workers, youth and minorities) of Peshawar District. The participants were trained by Ms. Shagufta Khaliq (Project Manager, PEAD Foundation), Safiullah Gul District December 17 – 18, 2015 The second training session was held in Peshawar and was attended by 19 participants, elected on reserved seat categories (women, peasants/workers, youth and minorities). The participants were trained by Mr. Ammad Khaliq (Expert on (Bureau Chief Dunya News Peshawar), Asma and Naseem (Center of Research and Security Studies). 3 E- NEWSLETTER CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS PEAD Foundation- February 2016 Training Manual To provide a complete insight of the working of the LG system in KP to the new local body representatives, PEAD Foundation developed a training manual for the District Councilors. The manual not only included key points of the LG Act but also the powers of the district councilors (See diagram for detailed description of the manual). Equipped with the manual, capacity of 52 councilors from Kohat and Peshawar was enhanced for delivering to their constituents by gaining knowledge about the working of the local government system and its functions, their own roles and responsibilities and the financial management aspects of the local government system. Their future role and participation will be towards the communities they represent i.e.; women, peasant, youth and non-Muslim communities. It was important to ascertain the impact of the training on the participants. Therefore, before each training session, a baseline survey was conducted to measure participants understanding and their level of knowledge on the LG Act and the powers of the district councilors. After the training session, an end-line survey was also conducted which provided with a comprehensive measure of their understanding of main concepts, roles, responsibilities and skills and knowledge after the trainings. Some of the results of the KAP Study are shared here; PRE & POST TRAINING EVALUATION 78% of the participants believed that after the training their knowledge regarding the LG act and the powers of the district councilors improved. 19% of the participants believed that their knowledge increased to some extent Composition, authorities and responsibilities of district government Local Government ACT Local Government property and taxation issues Responsibility of local governments for enforcement of laws Role and function of local government commission Baseline Survey Composition, functions and powers of district councils Budget, financial aspects and audit of district councils 4 E- NEWSLETTER CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS Radio Programs “DA KALLI CHAARAY” The media component of the project was implemented by Centre for Research & Security Studies (CRSS), which has an established record in media programs. The media component was based on the need for creating awareness. Since the local government in KP is an altogether new system which is also different in nature from other provinces, it was felt that connecting the new Councilors with their constituents was important. While the capacity building phase directly benefited the councilors, the radio shows in Peshawar and Kohat were conducted separately for one month on weekly basis. In total thirty radio shows, five per week, were broadcast under the title of ‘Da Kalli Chaaray’ from FM-101.5 Peshawar, FM-101.5 Kohat, and simultaneously through CRSS and PEAD Foundation’s websites via a strategic partnership with Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC). Out of these 30, 15 programs were produced and aired from district Kohat through FM-101.5 Kohat, and 15 from FM 101.5 Peshawar, covering the majority of the areas of the district Kohat, and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP) and the connecting Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The programs were composed of two key parts; In the first part of the radio program, District councilors discussed the roles and responsibilities of their offices while also disseminating the knowledge to their constituents. In the second part, LG representatives engaged with citizens via live studio interaction and live calls/SMS messages. This increased the target audience and also provided them an opportunity to enhance their communication skills. 30 field stories were also produced, and were made the part of the radio programs. Out of these 30, 15 field stories were collected from district Kohat and 15 were collected from district Peshawar by deploying CRSS trained reporters in both districts. For radio shows production, theme for each field story was researched by the producer and was assigned then to the trained reporter. During each story, proper PEAD Foundation- February 2016 mentoring was being provided to better lay out the story on the thematic areas. 5 RADIO PROGRAM GLIMPSES Impact and Public Outreach Overall 75 Studio guests took part in the radio programs, including local government representatives, lawyers, experts, and journalists. Women and minorities were also engaged effectively to better communicate their views about their rights under the umbrella of local government system. Out of these, 44 took part in radio program broadcast on FM-101.5 Kohat studio and 31 on FM-101.5 Peshawar studio. The listeners showed a great level of interest in the radio programs by participating through live and off-air calls, mobile calls, and text messages. Overall 171 callers participated and shared their views, both live and off-air during programs. The programs received 50 live calls and 75 text messages through a dedicated mobile number for radio shows, stating the program feedback, suggestion, and highlighting regional issues about the local government system. Communication with the elected representatives was very crucial for their communities. It provided a pathway to raise awareness among them about the local problems. This campaign provided a platform for listeners to interact with their representatives and discuss their issues. This advocacy campaign changed listener’s attitudes and behaviors about the powers and responsibilities of their elected LG representatives. Public expectations were very high from their elected representative, but the ‘Da Kalli Chaaray’ episodes focused on the rule of business of LG representatives, their responsibilities, and role in the local development. That sensitized the audience about the LG system. Listeners were informed, guided, and advocated to interact with their representatives. Youth and minorities remained the focus of episodes from Districts Peshawar and Kohat under the umbrella of ‘Da Kalli Chaaray” program. Minorities and youth councilors took part in the live shows and highlighted their powers, responsibilities, and the hurdles they are facing in the LG system. The Pashtu language radio programs “Da Kalli Chaaray” were also transcribed into English to communicate to a large number of people. Their audio files along with transcriptions were uploaded to CRSS facebook page that has more than 4500 audience. More than 5000 people have viewed Da Kalli Chaaray posts on the CRSS & PEAD Facebook pages. Addressing Issues District Nazim Peshawar Mohammad Asim addressing the local issues of the callers live in Radio Program under the project in FM 101.5 Peshawar Studio. Hitting the Air Waves Peshawar District Councilors Asia Khattak and Meena Khan in live Radio Program, discussing local government system Live through Radio District Councilors of Kohat, Sheryar Khalid, Rukhsana Israr and Javaid Masih discussing the status of minorities in a live Radio Show TOTAL RADIO PROGRAMS There are total 30 Radio Programs 15 were aired from Peshawar FM 101.5 15 were aired from Kohat FM 101.5 E- NEWSLETTER CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS PEAD Foundation- February 2016 Social Action Plans Development of Social Action plan was one of the key components of the capacity building workshops. Participants, the District Councilors, developed their own plans focusing on specific needs for their respective communities. District councilors developed their plans with a set of objectives. Follow up meetings with District Members regarding their action plans were carried out by the project staff and initially few action plans were taken into consideration. Action Plan by Asia Khattak Asia Khattak is a district member on reserved seat for women from Peshawar and is a prominent and vocal member in the district government system. She participated in training session on “Role and Responsibilities of District Councilor” in Peshawar held on 12 & 14 January’ 2016. She initiated an awareness campaign focusing on education for girls in her area. Since a majority of her constituents are illiterate, she believes it is important to make them realize the importance of education. In the second stage of the plan, she aims at more targeted action focusing on health and hygiene issues and maternity. Her action plan was as: “Make a volunteer team to mobilize the community in order to resolve the basic issues of the community. For the purpose not many resources are required and it will serve as a mitigation team for resolving basic issues in the community at their own” In the follow up meeting Ms. Asia Khattak shared that the volunteer team will comprise of students and active members of the community. Action Plan by Mehreen Kamran Ms. Mehreen Kamran, district member of union council Bhana Mari participated in a two-day capacity building workshop organized for the district members on reserved seats at Peshawar shared her social action plan focusing on the “promotion of Girls Education” in her union council. She Media Forum is also raising voice for the Provision of safe and accessible building for girls’ school in her constituency. Action Plan by Sameena Paracha Sameena Paracha is a very active district councilor from Kohat. She is very proactive in welfare work as well. The councilor shared her social plan focusing on “Clean Drinking Water” through installation of water filtration plants and hand pumps in her constituency. She has raised this issue in her district council assembly and is also lobbying for grants to provide clean drinking water to the people of Kohat. A media Forum was organized on January 15, 2015 in Kohat on the theme of ‘Connecting Local Governments and Local Media’ at Millennium Guest House, Kohat. The local government representatives and journalists participated in first-ever media forum arranged to connect local media and local government representatives through a shared mechanism thus enabling them to address the core community issues in respective areas. Mr. Javed Masih is another very active district member from Kohat. He is representing minority communities and attended the capacity building training workshop. He shared his action plan focusing on “Harmony and 25 persons, including members of electronic and print media, local government representatives and stakeholders took part in the forum. The forum was covered by print and electronic media, including AVT Khyber, Express Tribune, Frontier Post, Radio Pakistan Kohat and Peshawar. This forum was also utilized to use media to promote the efforts for increasing citizens’ understanding about LG system and strengthening their engagement. Peacebuilding” Press Coverage Links Action Plan by Javed Masih While sharing his action plan he added that during recent years, Kohat was targeted by the militants and terrorists. He said that to gain the support from the locals, terrorists disrupted the social fabric of harmony and peace in Kohat and discrimination against minorities and sectarianism surfaced in Kohat. He is raising awareness among the people on peacebuilding and respect of one’s belief. He is also working for the rights of the minorities guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan. http://tribune.com.pk/story/1028198/cometogether-media-lg-officials-connectthrough-forum/ http://thefrontierpost.com/article/368870// 6 E- NEWSLETTER CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS PEAD Foundation- February 2016 District Councilors Assembly PEAD Foundation and CRSS joint organized the District Councilors Assembly, a concluding event of the project, to highlight the achievements and successes, at the Islamabad Club on 28 January, 2016. The event not only brought all the stakeholders, including the Canadian High Commissioner Ms. Heather Cruden, representative from CFLI Ms. Attiya Hidayat, District Councilors from Peshawar and Kohat, PEAD Foundation and CRSS project teams but also provided a platform to the major beneficiaries, District Councilors, to share their own experiences and feedback on the effectiveness of the project. Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director Center for Research & Strategic Studies (CRSS) welcomed the participants and briefly discussed the objectives and goals of the program. He stressed on the need for more focused and larger programs for strengthening Local Government System in Pakistan since it formed the foundation of democracy in the country. Ms. Sameena Imtiaz, Executive Director Peace Education And Development (PEAD) Foundation, thanked the Canadian High Commissioner for supporting the initiative and congratulated the District Councilors for their support in completion of the program. She highlighted the impact of the short-term project with results from the pre and post training surveys held with District Councilors to show how their understanding on basic issues of Local Government had increased during the course of the project. PEAD Foundation and CRSS team members gave briefings on the other aspects of the project including social action plans and radio programs. The District Councilors shared their feedback and termed it a valuable project which had helped them increase their understanding and knowledge of their own work. They said such programs should be held more often. Some of the District Councilors shared their social action plans devised during the course of the project with support of PEAD Foundation. These included; The minority representative councilor Javed Masih from Kohat has highlighted the issue of burial place for his community. He informed that there was only one graveyard from the British era time. The councilor informed the assembly that apart from the fact that the burial place had not enough room, there was also the problem of underground water which was hazardous and made it impossible to bury dead bodies. The action plan of Dr. Riffat a female district member from Peshawar focuses on social and economic empowerment of women through establishment of skill centers for illiterate girls in local community and an employment center for skilled and literate girls. The councilor is engaged with the District Nazim and Naib Nazim while she has already identified the premises and resources required for the successful implementation of the plan. This is another plan focused by Female district councilor of Peshawar Ms. Mehreen Kamran on access to education for female students. Realizing the local school for girls was not easily accessible for females resulting in low enrollment, the councilor has embarked on an ambitious plan to convert a local police station into a girls school which would not only be easily accessible to local girls but is also located in a safer place. She has identified another location for the police station which she thinks is more appropriate and is currently engaged with the local administration for moving ahead with the plan. 7 E- NEWSLETTER CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS A female district councilor from Kohat also highlighted the issue of female education in her area. She said there was low literacy as females were dropping out of schools after primary education. She said apart from cultural barriers, most families do not want to send their girls to far off schools involving travelling distances. She said she wanted to build schools which would be easier to access which will help in increasing the enrollment of female students. Address by Ms. Heather Cruden, Canadian High Commissioner Canadian High Commissioner Ms. Heather Cruden addressing the event praised the commitment of the District Councilors. She said she felt privileged and honored to be the part of the event. She lauded the passion of the district councilors to serve their PEAD Foundation- February 2016 communities saying their social action plans were a proof of how deeply in touch with their community issues they were. She affirmed the commitment of Canada for development of Pakistan while appreciating the Local Government system saying decentralization of power at grass root level was very important to make a government accountable. “Democracy, Rule of law & Human Rights are the core Canadian values and democracy is integral to promote peace building. The diversity of Pakistani culture is the strength of democracy in Pakistan, education to women is very important in Pakistan and local governments are particularly very important to ensure democracy at the lower level.” She said. She concluded with the statement that We believe prosperous Pakistan lies in transparent electoral system, strong legislative body, vibrant civil society and freedom of speech”. She also congratulated PEAD & CRSS on accomplishing the project in timely manner saying that only with collective efforts we can build a strong democratic Pakistan. 8 E-NEWSLETTER: CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT COUNCILORS PEAD Foundation- February 2016 ABOUT US PEAD Foundation CRSS is an independent think tank firmly rooted in research and advocacy. Its diverse portfolio addresses several contemporary issues including rule of law, counterradicalization, peace and security, democracy and governance, equal citizenry, rights and responsibilities, and social cohesion. CRSS leverages a vast array of tools and services to prompt critical thinking through a discourse embedded in the universally acknowledged democratic values. CRSS observes and analyzes developments, discusses and disseminates ideas and provides fora for technocrats, academics and members of civil society within and outside of Pakistan - to suggest solutions for development and positive change in Pakistan. www.pead.org.pk www.crss.pk [email protected] [email protected] Center for Research & Security Studies (CRSS) Peace Education And Development (PEAD) Foundation Peace Education And Development (PEAD) Foundation is a non-profit organization, registered in 2002, engaged in efforts for de-radicalization and countering violent extremism since its inception with Sameena Imtiaz as the Executive Director. PEAD has grown in numbers and the nature of its work expanded over the years, which started with a focus on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) during the turbulent years following 9/11. At present, PEAD has a national presence in more than 23 districts across Pakistan, working on various projects related to its core focus areas including peace building and social cohesion, interfaith harmony, democracy and governance. CRSS