Need stressed to ensure sustainability of NGOs

Addressing the concluding sessions of Lums-McGill Social Enterprise Development Centre's (SEDC) 'Social Sector Action Plan, 2007', former federal minister and Chairperson IUCN, Javed Jabbar stressed the need to ensure sustainability of a number of NGOs and other social sector organisations operating in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Javed Jabbar said that volunteer work has long been missing out of the social development scene of Pakistan. He was of the view that without volunteer work, sustainability and smooth operations of such organisations cannot be made possible. Javed Jabbar was addressing the audience on the last day of the symposium at Lums.
The two-day symposium, Social Sector Action Plan, 2007 at Lums has brought together over 250 guests from the social sector of Pakistan. Also a number of donor agencies Canadian International Development Agency (Cida), USAIS, City Foundation and JE Austin participated in panel discussions on the scope of funding the social development programmes in Pakistan.
Presentations and panel discussions continued on the second day, analysing the input of SEDC in managing and building the capacity of NGO personnel in various fields. The Social Sector Action Plan, 2007 began on 13th April with Vice Chancellor Lums, Dr Syed Zahoor Hassan giving the keynote address. Dr Zahoor termed the Lums-McGill Social Enterprise Development Centre's (SEDC) as the 'conscience of Lums' for strengthening the capacity of social organisations.
He mentioned that enlarging NGO sector has in itself posed new challenges, which will be addressed by enhancing the managerial capacity of related organisations. The symposium was attended by civil society leaders, economists and representatives from donor agencies, McGill University and Concordia University.
The speakers urged the local corporate sector to operate as socially responsible entities and facilitate the NGOs in their efforts for social uplift. Rector Lums and former commerce minister Razzak Dawood said the change in Pakistan has to come from the grass roots level, and there is a need to enhance the capacity of social sector organisations.
He stressed on improving the capacity and capability of NGOs in order to bring about a meaningful change in the quality of life of poor people. Dr Peter Schneider from McGill University, Canada, Dr Rafaat Saade from Concordia University, Canada, Surriya Anwar, President SOS Children Villages, Pakistan and Dr Syed Mubashir Ali, Director SEDC and Associate Dean, SDSB, Lums also addressed the symposium.
The two-day activity came to an end with participants sharing their experiences with each other as well as giving feedback to SEDC, which has been training them in various levels for last six years. The manager SEDC, Javaid William gave concluding remarks to end this significant social sector activity at Lums.