Inclusion, Tolerance, and Learning and Development Forum in Punjab

In Lahore, the Aawaz II Program, in collaboration with the provincial partner Peace & Justice Network, hosted a two-day Learning and Development Forum for programme partners and stakeholders (PJN). The event's major goal was to improve Aawaz II partners' awareness of inclusion and tolerance, as well as the knowledge and capacities of key programme team members in 13 Punjab districts.

Mr. Ansar Majeed Khan Niazi, Punjab Minister for Labour and Human Resource, and Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari, Punjab Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal, both spoke during the opening session and told attendees about the ministries' latest projects. The event brought together more than 120 provincial stakeholders, including social activists, Aawaz II forum members, Aawaz II Change Agents, district partners, and Aawaz II field teams.

Punjab Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minorities, Mr. Mahindar Pall Singh, emphasised the need of interfaith unity for peaceful society. He praised the Aawaz II Learning and Development Forum for putting up the event, which he described as "truly inclusive." Mr. Ansar Majeed, Punjab Minister for Labour and Human Resource, acknowledged the rights of domestic workers in his speech and mentioned that the registration procedure for domestic employees is now ongoing in Punjab, which would assist the state solve child labour.

The Aawaz II Program collaborates with local communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to promote children's, women's, youth's, and other vulnerable groups' rights in order to build a more inclusive, tolerant, and peaceful Pakistan. The British Council manages the Aawaz II initiative.