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LSOs Convention 2009

Local Support Organization (LSO) is dynamic development approach having legal status and permanent forum which form policies in order to foster development in commensurate with regional and local requirements. After getting prestigious awards for introducing participatory development approach in Chitral and Northern Areas, another milestone development of AKRSP came forward in the form of Local Support Organization. Development Practitioners often criticized foreign dictated development tools in the context that it negates local traditional and cultural requirements. To cater this problem and to integrate local traditional values with development process and to make the whole process sustainable and enhance community ownership LSO has been regarded the only solution. Taking lead role AKRSP again introduced LSO as mega institution in Chitral and northern areas. 14 Union Council in Chitral district have their own LSOs and very soon covered area of LSO will expand throughout the district.

AKRSP facilitated formation of LSOs but originally these are people organizations which are managed by the people of the Union Council in which the organization located. Policy making body of LSO is BOD which includes community members of the area. Only such policies are made which match local requirements of development. In order to enhance capacity of BoD members and share experience and make future strategy LSO convention 2009 held in Gilgit on 7th November 2009. Delegates from Gilgit, Bultistan and Chitral participated in the program. In first session of the convention GM AKRSP Chitral welcomed all participants and presented his key note address in which he elaborated importance of LSO for holistic development in the area. He referred various research reports of western organizations on LSOs which regarded these mega organizations as permanent solution of rural development. His conclusion was that LSO will play dominant role in future development of Chitral, Gilgit and Baltistan and they must ready for this challenge. After conclusion of GM AKRSP key note address delegate head from Chitral Ex. Chairman DADP Mr. Ghani Ur Rahman presented summary of LSO convention Chitral, and other achievements of LSOs in Chitral in change scenario as well as emerging security situation in Malakand region. LSOs from Chitral region facilitated Ulama conferences on peace and harmony in Chitral which resulted improvement in security situation in the area. Engineer Sardar Ayub Regional Program Manager AKRSP Chitral also presented AKRSP and LSO positive role in overall development of Chitral. Especially he appreciated change of BoD and smooth transition of power from old BOD members to newly elected one. He termed the process positive and hoped that it would bring more ownership of the organizations among community. Meraj Khan Manager (Multi-input Area Development) MIAD introduced this new approach among the participants. He also shared his successful experience of Kashmire where all the reconstruction process has been completed under the umbrella of various development organizatios and produced encouraging results. AKESP GM Gilgit, AREA Manager the First Microfinance Bank Gilgit Region, AKBSP manager, Rupani Foundation manager and manager Micro-Insurance Company presented their own product in the convention. AKHSP Manager Mr. Rahimullah also presented Child Health Care Program of AKHSP Chitral in the convention.

Session of Group Work was also interesting. In this session four themes were given to various groups namely, women development, Economic development, Youth development. All the groups made their presentation where challenges and possible suggestion were identified for the themes. As lost activity LSO convention draft resolution was passed by the house where all major issues are addressed. It has also been elaborated that in future regional convention of LSOs will held to review progress over the resolution. In the draft resolution it has been unanimously resolved to maintain and promote peace and tranquility in Gilgit, Bultistan and Chitral at all cost. In this connection mobilization of community organizations and proactive role of LSOs have been encouraged. Bringing women and youth population in mainstream development process have also been termed basic requirement for sustainable development. It has also been resolved that LSOs capacity building process especially for newly elected Board members should be ensured. For economic development of the region Agriculture sector development, Micro-Industrial development and skill development of youth and educated people is need of the hour. And all possible efforts needs to be taken for this purpose. After draft declaration this mega event ended with new vision for development in Northern Area and Chitral which is ideal for speedy development due to many indicators which are especially exists in this area. Like high literacy rate, peace, vibrant civil society and organized community. Having all these strengths LSO can develop this region in short time span.

Ghani-ur-Rehman
Chitral