Pakistan´s Rural Development Programme Lauded at EU Development Days Event

Shoaib Sultan Khan, Anusha Rahman and Dr. Tauqeer Shah Speak on Panels

Stand of SUCCESS Programme Appreciated by the Participants

Pakistan participated effectively in the European Union Development Days event held in Brussels on 5th and 6th June. This is an annual event that showcases the development efforts of the European Union around the world. This year Pakistan´s world renowned development practitioner and Chairman Rural Support Programme Network (RSPN) Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan, former minister for Information Technology Ms. Anusha Rahman and Pakistan´s Permanent Representative to the WTO Dr. Tauqeer Shah spoke on the panels where high profile personalities from all over the world are selected for debates. In addition to this a stand of Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) Programme an effort of Government of Sindh, Rural Support Programme Network and the European Union, was also set up to display the work where Nadia Jonejo a beneficiary turned community organizer from a small village of Sindh was also present to share her experience in person.

Chairman RSPN Mr.Shoaib Sultan Khan while speaking on the panel ´Transforming Women’s Lives in Rural World´ talked about the success of Development Model of the Rural Support Programme Network in Pakistan, which has been adopted by various countries in South – Asia including India. He informed that based on evaluations of international donors the programme has been able to draw huge support from various quarters.

In her concluding remarks the Chairperson of the Panel Ms. Anne Maskaen made a  special reference to Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS), saying that “ I would like to mention the successful example of SUCCESS project in Pakistan benefitting 77,7000 households are supported through 30,000 community organizations manged by the women”.

SUCCESS Programme is based on the Rural Support Programmes’ (RSPs) social mobilisation approach to Community Driven Development (CDD). The RSPs under the SUCCESS Programme provide social guidance, technical and financial assistance to the rural poor in Sindh.

Former minister for Information Technology Ms. Anusha Rahman, while speaking on the panel on the theme of ´Empowering Women through Technology´ highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Information Technology in expanding supply as well as demand for digitalization in Pakistan. She particularly mentioned training programmes for girls which enabled them to utilize information technology to generate income while working from home. She informed that Pakistan spent 600 million dollars in the past five years for expanding digital connectivity.