The 16th Annual Convention opened with a two-day Civil Society Learning event on October 28 as SAQE set an upbeat tone for participants and members attending in Islamabad. Zehra Arshad, Executive Director of SAQE, welcomed attendees with remarks that encouraged dialogue, reflection, and collective growth throughout the day.
Laraib Kiani, Program Coordinator at SAQE, led the first session titled Strengthening Organizational GESI Capacity, guiding organizations through ways to embed Gender Equality and Social Inclusion into values, policies and everyday practice so that every voice is recognised and included.
In the second session, Urwa Naeem, Program Coordinator at SAQE, facilitated a discussion on Safeguarding through a Human Rights Lens, underlining how rights-based approaches can build safer, more inclusive spaces for vulnerable groups and staff alike.
Participants moved beyond theory with active group exercises and reflective activities that translated dialogue into practical learning and action points for their organisations. The Civil Society Learning conversations are particularly relevant for Pakistani civil society as groups seek stronger GESI policies and safeguarding measures at local and national levels.
SAQE’s Civil Society Learning sessions on Day 1 demonstrated a clear commitment to capacity building and inclusion, with participants leaving prepared to implement new approaches and continue the exchange of best practices during the remainder of the convention.
