The Rural Support Programmes (RSPs), collectively the largest development network in Pakistan, gathered to share their experiences and discuss ways forward at their annual strategy retreat, held on the March 06 and 07 at Bhurban. As the apex body of the RSPs, the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) organised the two-day event.
In addition to over 100 representatives from the RSPs, the retreat also featured representatives from international and national development organisations, namely UNICEF, WHO, OXFAM, BRAC, PPAF and the Imran Khan Foundation (IKF). Amongst the core issues discussed, the debate centred on incorporating right-based approaches to the RSP's existing institution building activities, strengthening the capacity of grassroots organisations and linking them to the public sector, and the way forward on eradicating polio from Pakistan. Since 2011, RSPN has been working with UNICEF on a polio awareness building project titled, "Awareness Raising Amongst Communities of Sindh for Polio Vaccination of Children" - as of January 2012, three phases of the project have been successfully implemented.
In phase 3 alone, over 3 million people were reached by the campaign and a total of 2,120 campaigners were hired, out of which 1,272 were women. Discussions on the theme of gender received particular focus, with representatives from the RSPs and RSP-fostered community organisations emphasising gender mainstreaming and the role of gender in enabling community-driven rural development.
The retreat featured the distribution of certificates to the successful graduates of the Gender Training of Trainers (GToT) programme run by RSPN. Closing remarks from Shoaib Sultan Khan, Chairman RSPN and Qazi Azmat Isa, CEO PPAF, together emphasised fostering 'institutions of the people' for sustainable rural development to take effect.
The RSPs work with poor rural communities across Pakistan for their uplift. Today, the RSP network works with 30 million people in need in 110 districts and Fata areas of Pakistan. This partnership with rural Pakistanis proves that our people have the potential and will to create a tolerant and stable country for the future. The RSPs continue to work with more people across the country, to build resilient communities, to help build a stronger Pakistan.-PR