This workshop was part of "Promotion of dialogue for peace building through media and youth mobilisation in Pakistan" project, which seeks to involve media personnel, local activists and youth in peace building activities and to present models of coexistence, tolerance and reconciliation across Pakistan. The trainees included political leaders, representatives of civil society organisations, private sector, Jirga members and district government officials. These trained leaders will form dialogue forums at district-level to build peace in their respective communities.
SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Suleri said that lasting peace was possible when people joined together and understand each other's perceptions. "Developing communities' strengths and capacities for a common commitment to seek welfare of all, is the only way forward for sustainable peace," he added. During the workshop, SDPI trainers Mome Saleem, Sadia Kazmi, Shakeel Ahmad, Dr Humaria Ashfaq and Ahmad Salim trained participants on the peace building frameworks, principles and various conflict analysis tools that help solve conflicts.
Participants learned successful negotiation skills including establishing common goals, focus on interests not positions, separation of people from the problem, inventing options for mutual gain, and openness to third-party assistance. Senior Advisor SDPI, Ahmed Salim, distributed certificates among participants in the concluding session.