ISLAMABAD - A fundraiser organised by TLC daycare in collaboration with the Future Leaders of Pakistan (FLP) for the children living at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, was held at the TLC Daycare here on Saturday.
FLP is a not-for-profit youth organisation that works for welfare and awareness in Pakistani society.
“Somebody had to take the initiative for the welfare of the innocent children of the inmates at Adiala Jail, and we decided to raise funds and collect donations for these children,” said Qudsia Sadiq, the FLP behind the project.

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VP ER Sobia Zafar represents green enterprenuers and Pakistan Civil Society at the Commonwealth People's Forum, the story goes .....

I would like to update you on the great achievement of FLP External Relations, during participation in the People's Forum of Commonwealth Countries 22-28 November, 2009. (pictures attached)

I was invited as a speaker on climate change/green entrepreneurs and during my trip earned FLP enough prestige on the Commonwealth that I was invited to represent Pakistan civil society at the Commonwealth Heads of States meeting on November 28 in Trinidad. Only 6-8 countries out of 53 could have been catered enough to have representation from civil society!

Common Wealth People's Forum is the most significant civil society event in the commonwealth calender, taking place just before the Heads of Government Meetings every two years. This year we gathered in Trinidad and Tobago, representing all facets of civil society as we shared our experiences and and contributed to the collective voice on topics that matter to us all.

Over the four days of the forum, a total of eight assemblies were convened, including key issues around health, food security, climate change and culture, culminating in the civil society statement, presented to the Commonwealth Heads of Government.

I would like to share with you a brief account of my participation, I was also interviewed by local TV and radio, and tying to get a copy of the coverage.

My specific participation included,

Presentation on Green Development

In acknowledgment of my services to promote Green and Social entrepreneurs at an international level, I was invited as a speaker by the Commonwealth Foundation to present a model (which I founded with two other colleagues, one each from UK and US) called 'Open doors' which helps creates communities of green/social entrepreneurs across different sectors of a local economy and answers the growing problems of unemployment and global warming together. I I was also representing the voice of youth from all 53 commonwealth countries to become part of the common wealth resolution which would later next week feed into the discussions on the Climate Change conference happening in Copenhagen.

The presentation was followed by an enthusiastic discussion. While concluding the session, the Chair, Mr. Phireshaw Camay (Commonwealth Civil Society Advisory Committee, CSAC) said, ' I am happy to say that Sobia, the youngest one in us has inspired us the most. This was the best presentation so far!'

Also Open doors (the presented model which has been internationally recognized at different platforms is an effort of three people, out of which two are FLP members - Salman Ravala and Sobia Zafar)

Signing the UN Peace Ribbon

In accordance with the International Peace Day, UN has started a movement of White ribbon to engage civil society in participating in a global call for ceasefire in regions of hostility and terrorist attacks. Despite the unrest in Pakistan, I was the first one to sign the ribbon on behalf of Pakistan Civil Society on The platform of Future Leaders of Pakistan (FLP) and commit our solidarity and commitment towards promoting peace at all levels. I am now in the process of convincing the UN to bring the White Ribbon campaign to Pakistan in collaboration with FLP.

Learning Workshops

To learn more about the social culture and the way communities work in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, I enrolled myself for a day long workshop to learn natural jewelry making and wood carving. Most of their jewelry is made of natural seeds which are their national pride. And for wood carving, I sketched the steel pan which is their national musical instrument. It was a great experience in getting to know the local way of living and appreciating diversity.

The experiences and lessons are what I would like to implement in the way we do things in FLP.

Learning Journeys

In my constant search to learn and to study enterprise models working in diverse circumstances, I spent a day with local colleagues to visit the landmark projects of the region that everyone feels proud of. First one was to the Forest which a lady single handedly built to prevent soil erosion along the cost. Second was a cancer ward for children that a married couple has established after their own passed away of cancer. The similarity between the two projects was the hope and happiness that they generated. On that happy note I also won a teddy bear at the tour during a friendly quiz competition on local geography. :)

I introduced them to FLP and all the great work that we do. They wrote wonderful testimonials for FLP and wished us all the success in our mission. I have also brought back documentation on their bhest practices and strategies for us to follow and learn from.

Lobbying and Networking

During my week long stay in Trinidad and Tobago, I attended several assemblies, sessions and discussions on issues that touch all us and had a chance to interact with decision makers, experts, media and civil society representatives from all 53 Commonwealth countries. With the upcoming heat of the Copenhagen session on Climate change, I used the consequential appreciation and energy from my presentation on climate change to advocate for enhancing the role of young green entrepreneurs and giving them more opportunities. Good news is that my efforts were fruitful, and this point was part of the draft resolution presented to the Commonwealth Heads of Governments. In all discussions and forums, efforts of Future LEaders of Pakistan to cultivate leadership in the region was highlighted.

I also got to know the Muslim community and it was pleasant to learn that they had a twice elected Muslim President during the 1990s. The lady Nafeesah who was my first point of contact was a past senator of the National Government and her family was still influential in local politics. I had a chance to offer Eid Namaz at the mosque, visit the Islamic academy, Muslim children;s kindergarden and have a discussion session with the females who traveled from all corners of Trinidad to meet other Muslim women attending the forum. The Muslim community in the Carribean is interested in replicating our leadership model.

Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting

The highlight of my visit! I have to stop and say Alhamdolillah. It was an honour and prestige to represent the Pakistan Civil Society when the draft of commonwealth civil society resolution was presented to the Commonwealth Heads of States. I was there on the platform of Future Leaders of Pakistan (FLP) and was commended by the Commonwealth organizational committee themselves, in appreciation of my involvement throughout the conference.

What it means to FLP

As VP External Relations of Future Leaders of Pakistan, I have represented FLP at several national and international platforms, been engaged with several youth think tanks and been in policy level discussions with senior international economists social activists and intellectuals. However, I have never seen a better leadership platform than FLP. It is not only a statement, but an experience and also observation of the audience at various incidences.

Future Leaders of Pakistan (FLP) being there at the Commonwealth People's Forum advocating for social and green entrepreneurs at the Heads of State meeting of 53 countries was an overwhelming feeling. Speakers, chairs of the sessions and the advisory committee of the Commonwealth Foundation appreciated the organizational efforts and have shown interest in penetrating the local communities in Pakistan through FLP. Specific areas would include enterprise development and peacebuilding activities.

FLP also takes the credit of changing the image of Pakistan to government level audience from 53 countries.

Highlights pecific to FLP include,

• International recognition for FLP
• Acknowledgement and appreciation from government of Pakistan - leading to a strengthened support from the government in implementation of our projects
• International collaboration with the right players in leadership development
• Applicaction of international best practices
• Long term project collaboration possibilities with the Commomwealth Foundation
• Recognized as promoters of peace and environmental protection
• Reconized as an 'example of excellence' once again
• Recognized for helping people become self-sustainable
• Contributed to the case presented at the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change in earlier half of December 2009
• Promoted Pakistan and its true picture of colours, values and diversity
• Confidence in our accomplishments and efforts to bring about change and make Pakistan the way we would like to see it.

All I got to say at the end of it is, I love FLP!