UNDP Pakistan, Hashoo Foundation and KP government strengthen community leadership for environmental justice and sustainable development
ISLAMABAD: A total of 40 Environmental Human Rights Defenders and Insider Mediators have successfully completed a specialized training programme in Swat aimed at strengthening community leadership for environmental justice, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
The programme was jointly organized by UNDP Pakistan and the Hashoo Foundation in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department. The graduating cohort included 20 women and 20 men, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive community participation.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Syed Fakhar Jehan, who served as the chief guest.
Speaking at the ceremony, Special Secretary of the Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department, Talha Hussain, highlighted the importance of empowering local communities to address environmental challenges through dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, underscored the critical role of community-led environmental peacebuilding in fostering resilience and promoting sustainable development.
The newly trained Environmental Human Rights Defenders and Insider Mediators are expected to serve as community champions by promoting environmental responsibility, facilitating dialogue, and strengthening collaboration between local communities and public institutions.
The initiative aims to enhance environmental governance, support peaceful conflict resolution, and build climate resilience in Swat through community-driven action and inclusive leadership.
