Development sector, corporates discuss ties

Stress need for holding dialogue, creating synergy to have meaningful impact

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ISLAMABAD:

The Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) on Wednesday held a roundtable discussion to bolster and strengthen collaboration between the corporate and development sectors for achieving impactful partnerships.

The discussion was headed by HRDN Chairperson Dr Roomi S Hayat, The Asia Foundation CEO Muzaffar Uddin and HRDN CEO Robeela Bangash. HRDN comprises national and international NGOs and individual professionals. Almost 30 development and corporate sector organisations including the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP), Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), Ghazi Barotha Taraqiati Idara, Institute of Rural Management, Rural Support Programmes Network, Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Jazz, Mari Petroleum and others participated in the event.

HRDN Chairperson Hayat said, "In the coming four to five years, the global funding patterns will change; it can be projected that this will affect the development organisations in Pakistan and across the globe. Some organisations may survive, but others will face the brunt of this," he noted.

"As the corporate sector organisations have CSR (corporate social responsibility) and the development organisations have outreach in communities and across the vulnerable groups of population, we should, through combined efforts, continue to deliver by tapping national and local funding resources," he suggested. The Asia Foundation CEO Muzaffar Uddin said, "There isn't much synergy between the corporate and development sectors, and the intention is to foster collaboration through this dialogue."

"We have one agenda that is dialogue; we can only learn through sharing and discussing our ideas to create a valuable impact," he said. "A series of dialogues are needed ahead of this to build connectivity between the corporate and development sectors." HRDN CEO Robeela Bangesh, while welcoming the representatives from the corporate and development sectors, said, "Our objective is to restore sustainability and enhance cooperation between both sectors."