Profession
I work for WWF-Pakistan in Communications Department as
Assistant Editor. I am responsible to take out WWF-Pakistan's quarterly
magazine, Natura. Anyone who feels passionate about environment or has an
opinion about issues writes for Natura. A lot of our writers are researchers
and students. A part of Communications Department is Environmental Resource Data Center which has a large variety of books, journals, reports, documentaries on environment. I am also responsible to help out students visiting from schools and colleges.
From high mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan to coastline of Gwadar, WWF has ongoing conservation projects where we work closely with local communities to bring change. We develop environmental awareness material (often in local languages) to educate them about how unsustainable consumption of resources affect them and why is it important for them to safeguard their environment. This involves developing material including documentaries, brochures, reports, manuals, posters keeping mind the requirement of communities.
Punjab, named after its five rivers, is known for its fertile soil and diverse cultural heritage.
Family
I have a brother and a sister. My mom is a home maker and my dad is an Urban Planner.
Personal Interest
Reading, baking, shopping
Description
WWF-Pakistan was formed in 1970s, a
time when the world was at an environmental crossroads. The population was
increasing exponentially; conservation issues started becoming inscrutable with
time. For the longest time it depended
on individual funding and honourary scientific
input. It was only in 1980s that WWF-Pakistan started its first project on environmental
awareness.
Now the
organization has expanded with 31 offices all over Pakistan and almost 340
staff members working hard to bring change through conservation. Being a part of WWF International, WWF-Pakistan has worked on conservation projects keeping in mind the goals to conserve the world's biological diversity, ensure that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promote the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
Working closely with communities,
the projects that we do target areas from mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan to the
coastline at Sindh and Baluchistan. Some WWF-Pakistan’s projects are Pakistan
Wetlands Programme, Indus for All Progarmme, Global Poverty Alleviation Fund,
and Climate Change Adaptation Project.
WWF-Pakistan strongly
believes in partnering with communities to work on conservation projects. So raising
public awareness is a major component of all its projects.
Needs
WWF-Pakistan is one of
the largest conservation organizations in Pakistan but has its limitations as
the scope of work is huge. Being a non-governmental organization, it works
through grants, which may or may not be available limiting
MAX WARBURG REFLECTION
While visiting Max Warburg Foundation, before we were introduced about its work, we were given a book called “the courage of Boston’s children”. As I started reading a few essays, I was transfixed by the courage these young student showed to overcome their problems.
As I found more about the
foundation, I realized that our students can learn a lot from Max’s Foundation. It does not mean that our children are not brave
enough. Even now in remote areas, children often go to schools which are two
room buildings where they gather from adjoining areas to get education. Often
they walk long distances to get their lessons. But what can be learned from the
foundation is how they can show courage in face of their difficulties and work
to make their situation better.
What we learned after knowing
more about Max’s foundation is that the ability to bring change in your lives
and to your communities is not bounded by age and this is the lesson I can take
back to share with everyone.
I was also inspired by the idea
of children writing about their experiences in form of essays. It is hard to stand
up for your rights and beliefs but it is even harder to put your emotions down
with a pen for all to read. Since I work with students I hope to encourage them
to write about their experiences and share them with Max Warburg foundation, so
that the rich experiences of Pakistani children are shared too.
What did you learn from your experience at Washington DC?
Washington DC trip was yet
another learning experience in the programme. We had a chance to take a tour of
monuments which taught about the rich historical background of the United
States. It depicted the struggle the country has gone through in order to be
where it is today. The way historical monuments are restored is commendable and
is a reminder of how things once were.
The second day we went to US
state department to reflect on Pakistani Education and Leadership Programme.
There we meet Brent Beemer, Grant Director of PELP, and his staff. We had a
chance to share our experiences about PELP. We talked about what we learned and
what we would take back to Pakistan. Later on the group was told about how to
be involved after the programme ends through getting grant to support more initiatives.
I was touched by how interested everyone was to learn about our country and our
experiences in United States.
The same day I visited two
Smithsonian museums (Natural History and American Art). The museums again
reflected how United States have persevered many difficulties to become an
epitome of success. After visiting the musems, I also had a chance to
experience American life first hand by travelling through by metro subway,
where I saw that majority of people use public transport and get to their
destination in matter of minutes.
On the last day in Washington, we
went to Russell congressional Building where we were taken on a tour to the
office and the Capitol by an official. Again we learned about the civil wars
and great leaders that worked to turn different states into one nation.
PELP Reflections
Pakistani Educational and
Leadership Programme on whole affected me at different levels.
On a personal level, I learned
about American culture. I observed different norms of society. I was inspired
by how hard working the nation is and touched by how genuinely everyone is
interested to know about Pakistan. We answered questions about Pakistan and asked
questions about United States which helped bridge a gap which has always been there
between two countries.
On a professional level, I learned
quite a few lessons. Working closely with WWF-Pakistan, I can influence the
activities which are carried out in the communities where we work. With learning
the importance of pedagogy I have realized how it can be to bring change, and I
would be interested to incooperate it in future communications strategies I
work on.
Although, I am not a conventional
teacher but the sessions we took gave me something which can be applied in
environmental awareness and education of communities. While working we organize
workshops in many areas of Pakistan where Professional Development planning
model of design, facilitate, present and coach from Christie Sweeney’s session.
Plan, study, act and do model taught by Cecelia Gaffney is something I will get
to apply frequently.
Working in conservation NGO can
be frustrating sometimes. There are many problems which need your attention and
it feels that you are not doing enough. Its easy to feel overwhelmed by the
magnitude of the task. But in the last three weeks, I meet people from organizations
which are working with communities and bringing significant change at smaller
level. Meeting Deo Mawano, Steve Brown from College form America, Jodi Harper
from BRINGIT and people from Max Warburg Foundation taught me to believe in my
cause and keep doing my part not matter what. I also learned that how one human
being can affect another’s life in a positive manner.
In the end, I have come to know
about the environmental initiatives in Plymouth, which I cannot wait to share
with my colleagues. Also I hope to be in touch with people from Plymouth for
exchange of knowledge and ideas.
MID-MAP REPORT
Master Action Plan – workshop for journalists on climate change
Goal
The MAP will build capacity of journalists through sensitizing them on challenges, issues and responses to climate change issues. The workshop is aimed to increase reporting of climate change events through an environmental perspective, increasing public awareness about such issues and prioritizing climate change in policymaking.
Procedure
In recent years, Pakistan’s media has realized its role in mobilizing masses. With terrorism and political crisis getting more coverage, in both print and electronic media, reporting of climate change issues lags behind. Lack of understanding of science of climate change also results in less media space for these pressing issues.
Two day workshop, facilitated by environmentalists and climatologists, will help journalists better understand climate change phenomenon. They will learn about research findings and measures that can be deployed to mitigate climate change.
The workshop is expected to:
- Sensitize journalists about climate change challenges in Pakistan;
- Set forward recommendations on role of journalism in raising climate change awareness.
DAY 1,2,3,4
● Objective
Planning the workshop
● Procedure
Following aspects will be decided:
- Prepare a time frame of workshop preparation
- Selecting a venue
- Developing workshop itinerary
- Preparing invitations
- Selecting participants
● Materials
DAY 5
● Objective
Contacting journalists for workshop
● Procedure
Twelve journalists from print and electronic media will be invited to attend the workshop. These journalists will be selected based on their interest in highlighting environmental issues and / or have worked previously with WWF-Pakistan in doing so.
Journalists from Lahore and Islamabad will be targeted.
● Materials
Printing of invitations
Day 6,7
● Objective
Workshop for journalists on climate change
● Procedure
Workshop will be conducted by
- Climate Change experts from WWF-Pakistan’s Climate Change Adaptation Project
- Representatives of Pakistan Meteorological Department
- Representatives of Climate Change Division
On the second day, a visit to one of the project site of CCAP will be organized.
Day 8
● Objective
Follow up activities
● Procedure
This will include the compilation of stories published and aired on television.
● Materials
MAP Budget
Record how the $500 seed money will be used to help accomplish your goals?
Item Description
|
Purpose
|
Expenditure
|
Printing
|
Reading material and handouts
|
Rs 10000 ($ 100)
|
Journalist Kits
|
-
|
Rs 20,000 ($ 200)
|
Refreshments
|
Workshop break
|
Rs 10,000 ($ 100)
|
Others
|
-
|
Rs 10,000 ($100)
|
TOTAL: Rs 50,000 ($500)
|
NOTE: The workshop and field visit will be possible with the financial support of CCAP.
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