In this Issue:

 

· UK commits ₤50 million for establishing Climate and Development Knowledge Network

· LEAD selects Reproductive Health Cohort II in Khairpur

 

 

Capacity Development

UK commits ₤50 million for establishing Climate and Development Knowledge Network

This newsletter reports on LEAD Pakistan’s in­terventions in its three key program areas – climate change, environmental management and grassroots social capital development - threaded together through the organization’s five core competencies: capacity development, network­ing and partnerships, community empowerment, public policy engagement and knowledge man­agement.
‘There are multi-dimensional challenges for the region due to climate change such as rising sea levels, floods, internal and external migration, food shortage, environmental degradation and increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions, said David Taylor, Deputy Head Programs, DFID Pakistan in his closing remarks on the third day of the Workshop on cross border water issues held at Marriot Islamabad in the last week of March. The workshop, organized by LEAD Pakistan and supported by the UKaid from the Department for International Development (DFID), the One UN – Joint Programme on Environment (JPE), Ministry of Environment, the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and the Commonwealth Foundation, UK brought together Indian and Pakistani journalists for enhanced understanding and awareness of crucial water issues on both sides of the border. Seven journalists from India and twenty-three from Pakistan with interest and experience in environmental reporting participated in the event. The DFID Deputy Head further said that Climate Change impacts will potentially endanger the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable groups, besides exacerbating gaps between the rich and the poor, and amplifying inequalities between men and women. ‘To respond to this critical research gap, the UK has committed ₤50 million over 5 years to establish a new global facility – the Climate and Development Knowledge Network,’ announced he. The Network will give developing countries access to the latest research and science on climate change as well as technical assistance. It will help policy-makers and practitioners plan and implement strategies that meet the climate challenges of their country. The Network will provide developing countries (governments, academic institutions and NGOs) with the latest and best climate information to enable them to plan and prepare for the short, medium and long-term impacts of climate change – at regional, national and local scales. Emphasizing the need for greater awareness on climate change issues, he hoped that the media in both Pakistan and India will help to spread awareness on key issues. ‘Climate change has the potential to increase conflict over shared waters. Currently, conflict between countries over water is relatively rare and cooperation rather than conflict is the norm. However, decreasing availability of water could change this and potentially fuel conflict in already fragile regions’ he viewed. Earlier while inaugurating the workshop, the Federal Minister for Environment, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi stressed the ‘need to forge cooperation and consensus between the two countries’ and said ‘journalists have a major role to play in that.’ The participating journalists learnt about the impacts of climate change on water and the ways and means to conserve and efficiently use water. Afia Salam from IUCN-Pakistan said ‘We all came away with a much better understanding of the issues involved and hopefully will be able to play our part in communicating them.’ Pallava Bagla, an Indian journalist who writes for a science magazine termed the workshop “a great learning exercise on trans-boundary water”. Some of the Indian journalists were surprised to learn just how important this issue is for people in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the lack of water in the Indus is headline news, while in India it is not an issue. “In India, in fact many people don’t even know about it” said one Indian journalist. The workshop allowed the participating Indian journalists to see why this is such a crucial concern for Pakistan, being a lower riparian. Manipadma Jena, a development journalist from India said, ‘River water surely is decreasing in most rivers in India and elsewhere due to the over exploitation. Both the countries should manage their waters more efficiently and in mutually constructive ways while keeping future climate change impacts in perspective.’ The workshop enabled the participants to know the regional and international perspectives on climate change. They also learnt various tips for accurate climate change reporting from the seasoned editors. The training also helped form a journalist media network on climate change which, beside the regional water issues, could discuss a joint strategy for the upcoming COP 16 in Mexico. Read More Networking and Partnerships LEAD selects Reproductive Health Cohort II in Khairpur LEAD Pakistan has added thirty-three professionals including ten women to its existing Reproductive Health Cohort in district Khairpur that comprises twelve mid career professionals from various walks of life. A total of sixty-five candidates had applied against the advertisement in various national and regional newspapers. Four of these applicants failed to show up for the selection process. Out of those who appeared, fourteen were disqualified after the interview since their expertise did not match the requirements.  A total of forty-seven applicants qualified the initial tests and interviews. Prior to the final selection, an Equity Matrix detailing the 7 categories essential for bringing about policy and community level change were identified. All the candidates who had qualified were categorized and graded according to these categories. The top 3 from each category were then selected as part of LRH II Read More
‘There are multi-dimensional challenges for the region due to climate change such as rising sea levels, floods, internal and external migration, food shortage, environmental degradation and increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions, said David Taylor, Deputy Head Programs, DFID Pakistan in his closing remarks on the third day of the Workshop on cross border water issues held at Marriot Islamabad in the last week of March. The workshop, organized by LEAD Pakistan and supported by the UKaid from the Department for International Development (DFID), the One UN – Joint Programme on Environment (JPE), Ministry of Environment, the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and the Commonwealth Foundation, UK brought together Indian and Pakistani journalists for enhanced understanding and awareness of crucial water issues on both sides of the border. Seven journalists from India and twenty-three from Pakistan with interest and experience in environmental reporting participated in the event. The DFID Deputy Head further said that Climate Change impacts will potentially endanger the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable groups, besides exacerbating gaps between the rich and the poor, and amplifying inequalities between men and women. ‘To respond to this critical research gap, the UK has committed ₤50 million over 5 years to establish a new global facility – the Climate and Development Knowledge Network,’ announced he. The Network will give developing countries access to the latest research and science on climate change as well as technical assistance. It will help policy-makers and practitioners plan and implement strategies that meet the climate challenges of their country. The Network will provide developing countries (governments, academic institutions and NGOs) with the latest and best climate information to enable them to plan and prepare for the short, medium and long-term impacts of climate change – at regional, national and local scales. Emphasizing the need for greater awareness on climate change issues, he hoped that the media in both Pakistan and India will help to spread awareness on key issues. ‘Climate change has the potential to increase conflict over shared waters. Currently, conflict between countries over water is relatively rare and cooperation rather than conflict is the norm. However, decreasing availability of water could change this and potentially fuel conflict in already fragile regions’ he viewed. Earlier while inaugurating the workshop, the Federal Minister for Environment, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi stressed the ‘need to forge cooperation and consensus between the two countries’ and said ‘journalists have a major role to play in that.’ The participating journalists learnt about the impacts of climate change on water and the ways and means to conserve and efficiently use water. Afia Salam from IUCN-Pakistan said ‘We all came away with a much better understanding of the issues involved and hopefully will be able to play our part in communicating them.’ Pallava Bagla, an Indian journalist who writes for a science magazine termed the workshop “a great learning exercise on trans-boundary water”. Some of the Indian journalists were surprised to learn just how important this issue is for people in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the lack of water in the Indus is headline news, while in India it is not an issue. “In India, in fact many people don’t even know about it” said one Indian journalist. The workshop allowed the participating Indian journalists to see why this is such a crucial concern for Pakistan, being a lower riparian. Manipadma Jena, a development journalist from India said, ‘River water surely is decreasing in most rivers in India and elsewhere due to the over exploitation. Both the countries should manage their waters more efficiently and in mutually constructive ways while keeping future climate change impacts in perspective.’ The workshop enabled the participants to know the regional and international perspectives on climate change. They also learnt various tips for accurate climate change reporting from the seasoned editors. The training also helped form a journalist media network on climate change which, beside the regional water issues, could discuss a joint strategy for the upcoming COP 16 in Mexico. Read More Networking and Partnerships LEAD selects Reproductive Health Cohort II in Khairpur LEAD Pakistan has added thirty-three professionals including ten women to its existing Reproductive Health Cohort in district Khairpur that comprises twelve mid career professionals from various walks of life. A total of sixty-five candidates had applied against the advertisement in various national and regional newspapers. Four of these applicants failed to show up for the selection process. Out of those who appeared, fourteen were disqualified after the interview since their expertise did not match the requirements.  A total of forty-seven applicants qualified the initial tests and interviews. Prior to the final selection, an Equity Matrix detailing the 7 categories essential for bringing about policy and community level change were identified. All the candidates who had qualified were categorized and graded according to these categories. The top 3 from each category were then selected as part of LRH II Read More
‘There are multi-dimensional challenges for the region due to climate change such as rising sea levels, floods, internal and external migration, food shortage, environmental degradation and increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions, said David Taylor, Deputy Head Programs, DFID Pakistan in his closing remarks on the third day of the Workshop on cross border water issues held at Marriot Islamabad in the last week of March. The workshop, organized by LEAD Pakistan and supported by the UKaid from the Department for International Development (DFID), the One UN – Joint Programme on Environment (JPE), Ministry of Environment, the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and the Commonwealth Foundation, UK brought together Indian and Pakistani journalists for enhanced understanding and awareness of crucial water issues on both sides of the border. Seven journalists from India and twenty-three from Pakistan with interest and experience in environmental reporting participated in the event. The DFID Deputy Head further said that Climate Change impacts will potentially endanger the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable groups, besides exacerbating gaps between the rich and the poor, and amplifying inequalities between men and women. ‘To respond to this critical research gap, the UK has committed ₤50 million over 5 years to establish a new global facility – the Climate and Development Knowledge Network,’ announced he. The Network will give developing countries access to the latest research and science on climate change as well as technical assistance. It will help policy-makers and practitioners plan and implement strategies that meet the climate challenges of their country. The Network will provide developing countries (governments, academic institutions and NGOs) with the latest and best climate information to enable them to plan and prepare for the short, medium and long-term impacts of climate change – at regional, national and local scales. Emphasizing the need for greater awareness on climate change issues, he hoped that the media in both Pakistan and India will help to spread awareness on key issues. ‘Climate change has the potential to increase conflict over shared waters. Currently, conflict between countries over water is relatively rare and cooperation rather than conflict is the norm. However, decreasing availability of water could change this and potentially fuel conflict in already fragile regions’ he viewed. Earlier while inaugurating the workshop, the Federal Minister for Environment, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi stressed the ‘need to forge cooperation and consensus between the two countries’ and said ‘journalists have a major role to play in that.’ The participating journalists learnt about the impacts of climate change on water and the ways and means to conserve and efficiently use water. Afia Salam from IUCN-Pakistan said ‘We all came away with a much better understanding of the issues involved and hopefully will be able to play our part in communicating them.’ Pallava Bagla, an Indian journalist who writes for a science magazine termed the workshop “a great learning exercise on trans-boundary water”. Some of the Indian journalists were surprised to learn just how important this issue is for people in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the lack of water in the Indus is headline news, while in India it is not an issue. “In India, in fact many people don’t even know about it” said one Indian journalist. The workshop allowed the participating Indian journalists to see why this is such a crucial concern for Pakistan, being a lower riparian. Manipadma Jena, a development journalist from India said, ‘River water surely is decreasing in most rivers in India and elsewhere due to the over exploitation. Both the countries should manage their waters more efficiently and in mutually constructive ways while keeping future climate change impacts in perspective.’ The workshop enabled the participants to know the regional and international perspectives on climate change. They also learnt various tips for accurate climate change reporting from the seasoned editors. The training also helped form a journalist media network on climate change which, beside the regional water issues, could discuss a joint strategy for the upcoming COP 16 in Mexico. Read More Networking and Partnerships LEAD selects Reproductive Health Cohort II in Khairpur LEAD Pakistan has added thirty-three professionals including ten women to its existing Reproductive Health Cohort in district Khairpur that comprises twelve mid career professionals from various walks of life. A total of sixty-five candidates had applied against the advertisement in various national and regional newspapers. Four of these applicants failed to show up for the selection process. Out of those who appeared, fourteen were disqualified after the interview since their expertise did not match the requirements.  A total of forty-seven applicants qualified the initial tests and interviews. Prior to the final selection, an Equity Matrix detailing the 7 categories essential for bringing about policy and community level change were identified. All the candidates who had qualified were categorized and graded according to these categories. The top 3 from each category were then selected as part of LRH II Read More

The Federal Minister for Environment talking to media after his inaugural address at the Journalist Workshop

‘There are multi-dimensional challenges for the region due to climate change such as rising sea levels, floods, internal and external migration, food shortage, environmental degradation and increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions, said David Taylor, Deputy Head Programs, DFID Pakistan in his closing remarks on the third day of the Workshop on cross border water issues held at Marriot Islamabad in the last week of March. The workshop, organized by LEAD Pakistan and supported by the UKaid from the Department for International Development (DFID), the One UN – Joint Programme on Environment (JPE), Ministry of Environment, the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and the Commonwealth Foundation, UK brought together Indian and Pakistani journalists for enhanced understanding and awareness of crucial water issues on both sides of the border. Seven journalists from India and twenty-three from Pakistan with interest and experience in environmental reporting participated in the event. The DFID Deputy Head further said that Climate Change impacts will potentially endanger the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable groups, besides exacerbating gaps between the rich and the poor, and amplifying inequalities between men and women. ‘To respond to this critical research gap, the UK has committed ₤50 million over 5 years to establish a new global facility – the Climate and Development Knowledge Network,’ announced he. The Network will give developing countries access to the latest research and science on climate change as well as technical assistance. It will help policy-makers and practitioners plan and implement strategies that meet the climate challenges of their country. The Network will provide developing countries (governments, academic institutions and NGOs) with the latest and best climate information to enable them to plan and prepare for the short, medium and long-term impacts of climate change – at regional, national and local scales. Emphasizing the need for greater awareness on climate change issues, he hoped that the media in both Pakistan and India will help to spread awareness on key issues. ‘Climate change has the potential to increase conflict over shared waters. Currently, conflict between countries over water is relatively rare and cooperation rather than conflict is the norm. However, decreasing availability of water could change this and potentially fuel conflict in already fragile regions’ he viewed. Earlier while inaugurating the workshop, the Federal Minister for Environment, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi stressed the ‘need to forge cooperation and consensus between the two countries’ and said ‘journalists have a major role to play in that.’ The participating journalists learnt about the impacts of climate change on water and the ways and means to conserve and efficiently use water. Afia Salam from IUCN-Pakistan said ‘We all came away with a much better understanding of the issues involved and hopefully will be able to play our part in communicating them.’ Pallava Bagla, an Indian journalist who writes for a science magazine termed the workshop “a great learning exercise on trans-boundary water”. Some of the Indian journalists were surprised to learn just how important this issue is for people in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the lack of water in the Indus is headline news, while in India it is not an issue. “In India, in fact many people don’t even know about it” said one Indian journalist. The workshop allowed the participating Indian journalists to see why this is such a crucial concern for Pakistan, being a lower riparian. Manipadma Jena, a development journalist from India said, ‘River water surely is decreasing in most rivers in India and elsewhere due to the over exploitation. Both the countries should manage their waters more efficiently and in mutually constructive ways while keeping future climate change impacts in perspective.’ The workshop enabled the participants to know the regional and international perspectives on climate change. They also learnt various tips for accurate climate change reporting from the seasoned editors. The training also helped form a journalist media network on climate change which, beside the regional water issues, could discuss a joint strategy for the upcoming COP 16 in Mexico. Read More Networking and Partnerships LEAD selects Reproductive Health Cohort II in Khairpur LEAD Pakistan has added thirty-three professionals including ten women to its existing Reproductive Health Cohort in district Khairpur that comprises twelve mid career professionals from various walks of life. A total of sixty-five candidates had applied against the advertisement in various national and regional newspapers. Four of these applicants failed to show up for the selection process. Out of those who appeared, fourteen were disqualified after the interview since their expertise did not match the requirements.  A total of forty-seven applicants qualified the initial tests and interviews. Prior to the final selection, an Equity Matrix detailing the 7 categories essential for bringing about policy and community level change were identified. All the candidates who had qualified were categorized and graded according to these categories. The top 3 from each category were then selected as part of LRH II Read More
‘There are multi-dimensional challenges for the region due to climate change such as rising sea levels, floods, internal and external migration, food shortage, environmental degradation and increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions, said David Taylor, Deputy Head Programs, DFID Pakistan in his closing remarks on the third day of the Workshop on cross border water issues held at Marriot Islamabad in the last week of March. The workshop, organized by LEAD Pakistan and supported by the UKaid from the Department for International Development (DFID), the One UN – Joint Programme on Environment (JPE), Ministry of Environment, the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and the Commonwealth Foundation, UK brought together Indian and Pakistani journalists for enhanced understanding and awareness of crucial water issues on both sides of the border. Seven journalists from India and twenty-three from Pakistan with interest and experience in environmental reporting participated in the event. The DFID Deputy Head further said that Climate Change impacts will potentially endanger the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable groups, besides exacerbating gaps between the rich and the poor, and amplifying inequalities between men and women. ‘To respond to this critical research gap, the UK has committed ₤50 million over 5 years to establish a new global facility – the Climate and Development Knowledge Network,’ announced he. The Network will give developing countries access to the latest research and science on climate change as well as technical assistance. It will help policy-makers and practitioners plan and implement strategies that meet the climate challenges of their country. The Network will provide developing countries (governments, academic institutions and NGOs) with the latest and best climate information to enable them to plan and prepare for the short, medium and long-term impacts of climate change – at regional, national and local scales. Emphasizing the need for greater awareness on climate change issues, he hoped that the media in both Pakistan and India will help to spread awareness on key issues. ‘Climate change has the potential to increase conflict over shared waters. Currently, conflict between countries over water is relatively rare and cooperation rather than conflict is the norm. However, decreasing availability of water could change this and potentially fuel conflict in already fragile regions’ he viewed. Earlier while inaugurating the workshop, the Federal Minister for Environment, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi stressed the ‘need to forge cooperation and consensus between the two countries’ and said ‘journalists have a major role to play in that.’ The participating journalists learnt about the impacts of climate change on water and the ways and means to conserve and efficiently use water. Afia Salam from IUCN-Pakistan said ‘We all came away with a much better understanding of the issues involved and hopefully will be able to play our part in communicating them.’ Pallava Bagla, an Indian journalist who writes for a science magazine termed the workshop “a great learning exercise on trans-boundary water”. Some of the Indian journalists were surprised to learn just how important this issue is for people in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the lack of water in the Indus is headline news, while in India it is not an issue. “In India, in fact many people don’t even know about it” said one Indian journalist. The workshop allowed the participating Indian journalists to see why this is such a crucial concern for Pakistan, being a lower riparian. Manipadma Jena, a development journalist from India said, ‘River water surely is decreasing in most rivers in India and elsewhere due to the over exploitation. Both the countries should manage their waters more efficiently and in mutually constructive ways while keeping future climate change impacts in perspective.’ The workshop enabled the participants to know the regional and international perspectives on climate change. They also learnt various tips for accurate climate change reporting from the seasoned editors. The training also helped form a journalist media network on climate change which, beside the regional water issues, could discuss a joint strategy for the upcoming COP 16 in Mexico. Read More Networking and Partnerships LEAD selects Reproductive Health Cohort II in Khairpur LEAD Pakistan has added thirty-three professionals including ten women to its existing Reproductive Health Cohort in district Khairpur that comprises twelve mid career professionals from various walks of life. A total of sixty-five candidates had applied against the advertisement in various national and regional newspapers. Four of these applicants failed to show up for the selection process. Out of those who appeared, fourteen were disqualified after the interview since their expertise did not match the requirements.  A total of forty-seven applicants qualified the initial tests and interviews. Prior to the final selection, an Equity Matrix detailing the 7 categories essential for bringing about policy and community level change were identified. All the candidates who had qualified were categorized and graded according to these categories. The top 3 from each category were then selected as part of LRH II Read More