Peace Conference (Pathways to Peace)
Peace Conference (Pathways to Peace)
Posted on 5/7/2018
Peace Conference (Pathways to Peace)
Introduction
To discuss and celebrate KIIR achievements in past 25 years and look into the prospects of building upon them in the future, Two day Peace Conference titled “Pathways to peace” organized by Kashmir Institute of International Relations in Islamabad on 6 and 7th may, 2018 at the Islamabad Club, Islamabad. The main objective of this conference is to take stock of the current state of affairs in the region particularly with reference to Jammu and Kashmir, to highlight challenges, explore opportunities for promoting peace in the region and to appreciate and acknowledge KIIR achievements on completion of its 25 years.
Inaugural Session
In the first session, Altaf Hussain Wani (Director Programs KIIR) welcomed honorable guests, participants and shared history of the organization and the success stories. He announced that 2018 would be celebrated as ‘Silver Jubilee Year’ of KIIR as the organization reaches another milestone of serving people in AJK. After his remarks, senior leaders from AJK and Pakistan spoke about KIIR’s interaction with National & International organizations in the past twenty five years.
Left to Right: Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan, Altaf Hussain Wani, Abdur Rasheed Turabi, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq,
Sardar Masood Khan, Shah Ghulam Qadir, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi
Director Programmes Altaf Hussain Wani highlighted the salient features of the outstanding performance of the organization to encourage and ensure the early peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute through track-II diplomacy through encouraging the bilateral linkage between the civil society of both sides of the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir belonging to various segments of the society. They referred to the implementation of CBMs between India and Pakistan through the advent of trans-LoC travel and trade since 2005 following the Programmes held by KIIR in various parts of the world including Pakistan.
1st Session: Pathways to Peace
Plenary
Left to Right: Muhammad Ashiq Ch, Sardar Qaiser Khan, Ms. Atia Anwer Zoon, Faiza Gaillani, Shaista Safi, Momina Rani
Over the years, KIIR has strengthened and expanded voices for peace by increasing support for civil society’s participation. Through dialogues, collaborations and awareness raising initiatives - men and women have been involved in peace building work. Atia Anwer Zoon is renowned professor at Federal Urdu University of ARTs, Science & Technology, Islamabad, PHD Scholar, peace Activist and Director women Wing KIIR, said that the organization had undertaken several activities over the years to create an enabling environment f o r women, particularly in the social, economic and political sectors. So far more than three hundred young women, social and political leaders, and academics have received training, advice and linkages development support from KIIR. These women are now coming up with new social campaigns, entrepreneurial initiatives and political actions to identify common challenges and develop shared solutions. Particularly in the past five years, KIIR has undertaken following activities for emerging women leaders in AJK to polish their leadership skills and enhance linkages. Since 2013, KIIR has been engaging and bringing together women from across all divisions of AJK (Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot).
Expert Panel
Left to Right: Syed Waqas Ali Kausar, Amb. ® Arif Kamal, Tahir Aziz, Gen. ® Ehsan ul Haq, Zafar Ch, Ms. Alice Salisbury, Ms. Sabahat Akram
KIIR understands the importance of individuals, systems and initiatives that are empowered enough to tackle complex peace-related issues. That is why it has taken pioneering initiatives to build capacities of political leaders, business people, journalists, human rights activists, lawyers and other professionals, particularly in the field of leadership, peace building and negotiation skills.
2nd Session: Human Rights Advocacy & Peace-building
Left to Right: Mr. Altaf Hussain Wani, Ms. Shamsa Khalil, Mrs. Shamim Shawl, Ambassador ® Abdul Basit, Mr. Muzamil Thakkur, Mr. Pervez Shah, Sardar Usman Attique
Human rights advocacy is the backbone of KIIR’s work for peace building and giving voice to the voiceless. The Human Rights Desk at KIIR regularly monitors, documents and disseminates information about incidents of human rights violation in Indian occupied Kashmir to the United Nations Special Rapporteur, United Nations Human Rights Council, and Office of the High commissioner on Human Rights, global think tanks, human rights watchdogs and other stakeholders.
3rd Session: Role of Media in Conflict Resolution
Left to Right: Ambassador ® Zameer Akram, Raja Kafil, Lt. Gen. ® Asad Durrani, Shujat Bukhari, Senator Sherry Rehmen, Ershad Mehmud, Shah Ghulam Qadir
Executive Director CPDR Ershad Mehmud started the session by welcoming honorable guests and participants, Chief Guest of session were Senator Sherry Rehman, Ambassador® Zameer Akram, Editor Daily Jammu Kashmir Raja Kafil Ahmed, Gen® Asad Durrani, Shujaat Bukhari, Chariman KIIR Shah Ghulam Qadir, Senior Journalist & Anchor Hamid Mir, Shakeel Ahmed and Sammer Abbas. An efficient, well-resourced media is crucial for safeguarding of peace. While there is increasing recognition of media and its positive and negative potential in relation to Kashmir conflict, there is relatively little accessible evidence on what works, guidance for journalists, or attention from policy makers. Keeping in view these challenges and needs.
Concluding Session
Left to Right: Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan, Shujaat Bukhari, Senator Khalid Shaheen Butt, Ms. Tehmina Janjua, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Ch. Pervez Ashraf and Shah Ghulam Qadir
Director Programs KIIR Altaf Hussain Wani started the proceedings by welcoming Honourable Guests and participants, Chief Guest of Concluding session were Ms. Tehmina Janjua 29th Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Shujaat Bukhari editor and Chief Daily Rising Kashmir, Srinagar, Ch Pervez Ashraf senior vice president AJK people’s Party and ex Minister PPP AJK, Senator Khalid Shaheen Butt, APHC convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Shah Ghulam Qadir Speaker Legislative Assembly AJK & Chairman KIIR and Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan Executive Director KIIR.
More Activities
