By Mika Tariq, Project lead at Society for Peace and Sustainable Development Pakistan

SPSD Pakistan is an organization which have a vision of building bridges of understanding, trust and mutual respect. We believe that conflict prevention is central to poverty reduction and sustainable development. In Pakistan, the conflict not only have the human cost, but it has also impact on the political, social and economic development of a country and unfortunately, the benefits of development assistance are all often reversed by the outbreak of violent conflict. In this context, Society for Peace and Sustainable Development (SPSD)-Pakistan developed a project for peace building and social harmony using sports mechanism for the rural youth belonging to three different religions. In this project we intend to promote a culture of conflict prevention in our target communities.

Empowering Young Peacebuilders

The project fostered collaboration and understanding between diverse young religious and civil society leaders, addressing biases, discrimination, and sectarian divides, enhancing their capacities for conflict resolution and dialogue.

The sports and cultural exchange programs served as a powerful tool as it is able to reach a wider audience, spreading awareness about the project mission to promote Peace, gender transformation and counter violent extremism. Most of the targeted youth has become the potential leaders in their respective communities and doing advocacy for peace building. These Young leaders have develop plans of action and community initiatives to counter social polarization and religious extremism. Over time, these conversations have inspired innovative solutions, sparking ideas to support community cohesion and demonstrating that when diverse voices come together, creativity flourishes, and barriers of mistrust dissolve.

The project methodology and operating principles of love and respect have led youth to win the trust and respect of diverse actors and communities in their respective areas and locations. This trust, and youth commitment to the cause of peace building has ensured their persistent collaboration with target communities.

The Role of SCI Switzerland

Many thanks goes to Service Civil International Schweiz for their generous and unconditional support to strengthen peace process in Pakistan. We really want to quote the remarks of one project female participant.

“This was not only the first time for me to play a table tennis match outside my home, but it was also the first time for me to interact with so many girls from different backgrounds, ethnicities and beliefs. It was a wonderful experience. I realized that despite our petty differences, we are all the same. We all want peace and harmony. We all want a peaceful society”. – Maria

The target communities have taken this project as an opportunity to express their voices; for policy makers, decision makers and influential groups to become aware of the aspirations of often unheard groups; and most of all, an opportunity for all those present to be inspired and commit themselves for the cause of social harmony and cohesion.