KARACHI, May 24: A six-week training programme for young development professionals concluded at the NGO Resource Centre of the Aga Khan Foundation here on Friday.

Seventeen young participants, from various cities and towns across the country, participated in the training. On the concluding day, Kamila Marvi (of Aahung), Perween Rehman (of Orangi Pilot Project) and Jamil Yusuf (of Citizen Police-Liaison Committee) shared with the participants their experiences as active members of citizen organizations. The occasion was the certificate- distribution ceremony for six-week Young Professionals—Development Programme initiated by the NGORC.

All three spoke of how fortunate the seventeen participants were at having set foot in the development sector with an initial grounding and a fair orientation of the sector through the YDPP.

A press release issued on Friday says the interactive discussion turned out to be a refreshing blend of old hands proffering and opening a whole new world for the hesitant and the uncertain. You have to have role models to inspire you, said the young Kamila Marvi, but commitment, professionalism and love for the people are vital ingredients for success. Perween Rehman of the OPP explained how they work with the community. There needs to be developed a tripartite relationship between the professionals, the government and the community. Calling it an untapped sector Jameel Yusuf refused to accept that one needed connections, a good family backing and elite education to make a difference.

“It was strongly felt that what was really amiss was quality human resources in the development sector and while many graduates/post graduates in Pakistan are looking for employment, the citizen sector remains at almost the last rung on their list of career choices,” said Mustaghis-ur- Rahman, coordinator, YDPP.