Video Courtesy of Common Purpose
I wrote to the Common Purpose London team late September and was excited to be accepted on their prestigious 5 day Pakistani Disapora Leaders Programme.
The Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme - October 19
L-R Unknown gentlemen, Dr. Maryab Rab, Jo Hancox, Prof. Jawaad Darr, Alison Coburn and Dr Shahid Latif
M.E.S.H fairtrade dolls
The course began with a warm welcome from Prof. Leif Steinberg, Dean, Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations, Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom.
Alison Coburn Chief Executive of Common Purpose International introduced herself and invited us all to introduce ourselves via a personal item.
I chose my tanned fairtrade doll produced by M.E.S.H, Dehli, India as a reference to my fairtade work and growing up in Manchester.
The Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme October 19 -
Chatham House Rule Slide
I'd never heard of the Chatham House Rule and feel I can implement and apply it to every day of my life regardless of the personal or professional situation/circumstance.
This activity was the perfect ice breaker and could be used for any industry/setting.
I learnt that I am a team player and have the ability to listen to others opinions with patience and calmness.
My group were methodical and worked through each statement respecting each others values and opinions.
The Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme October 19 - Statements
The Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme October 19 -
Statements Disagree
The Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme October 19 -
Statements Don't Know
After lunch we were introduced to Mark Crossey, Deputy Director British Council Pakistan & Area Director North, British Council Pakistan and
Dr Maryam Rab, Director Research Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (REMU), British Council Pakistan.
This was an invaluable session where the participants could ask direct questions to Mr Crossey and Dr Rab and make useful connections in Pakistan.
I'd like to recommend that this session is extended and that more time is given to the Q&A.
The Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme October 19 -
Framing the Challenge Slide
This was an informative and educational session about Pakistan, brilliantly executed by guest speakers who were the previous years diaspora participants.
I was astounded to learn about Pakistan's youth employment was currently 30% and as a visual learner was pleased to see graphs and pie charts.
Very grateful to Prof. Jawwad Darr, Shumaila Dar and Dr Shahid Latif for their time to produce the presentation and provide an insight into the programme.
One word that kept reoccurring in the conversation was 'Collaboration.'
The speakers were insistent that dialogue should be maintained after the course and reiterated how we should use our time wisely and answer the question, 'how can disapora leaders use their skills, talents and networks to benefit Pakistan and the disapora community?'
It had been a long intense day and I was exhausted but happy.
We began the morning session by watching a TEDxtalk by Julia Middleton titled
'Cultural Intelligence - the competitive edge for leaders'
and discussed how we could develop our own core and flex perceptions for leadership.
Cultural Intelligence - the competitive edge for leaders
I hope to learn more about Core and Flex and will definitely try to purchase the book authored by Julia Middleton.
I was struggling with shoulder and back pain and am grateful to Alison Coburn for her kindness and support during the day.
In the afternoon we separated into 6 groups and visited our sensory group Pakistani leaders.
I had signed up to see Hera Hussain Founder of Chayn.
I was very impressed with Hera Hussains work at Chayn.
This young Pakistani entrepreneur had developed an online website and platform for survivors of domestic abuse and those individuals who were currently experiencing domestic violence.
The website offers a wide range of google documents where individuals are encouraged to write about their personal experiences, or seek information and assistance.
Chayn is safe platform for survivors and supporters to share ideas and campaign for women's rights and welfare.
The organisation is operated by volunteers who are survivors of domestic abuse.
Since its inception Chayn has been viewed over 300,000 times.
Hera is based in Manchester and frequently travels around the United Kingdom raising awareness for Chayn and pitching for funding and grants.
Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme, Common Purpose
at the British Council Day 2, Oct 19
Other groups visited the following organisations and leaders:
It was fascinating to learn about the role of Foreign and Commonwealth Officer with Ms Smita Rossetti.
Participants were invited to ask questions in a Q&A and Ms Rosetti and her staff were available for a chat after the session.
I'd like to recommend that this session is extended and that more time is given to question and answer session.
During the Meet the Experts session participants were placed in groups of 8 and were given 30 minutes to talk to the 5 expert leaders.
Due to time restrictions we met and talked with Shahjan Miah, Arif Anis and Mari-Anne Chiromo.
I'd like to recommend that this session is extended and that more time is given to question and answer session with all expert leaders.
The last day of the programme and we spent all day developing our ideas into a presentation which would be presented to a guest panel.
The guest panel listened to 6 proposals and gave feedback.
My group was last to present and decided to organise a two tier music arts and literary and cross currents festival located in two cities Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan and Bradford, England, United Kingdom.
Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme, Common Purpose,
Group Activity - Oct 19
Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme, Common Purpose,
Group Activity Oct 19
Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme, Common Purpose,
Group Activity Oct 19
Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme, Common Purpose,
Group Activity Oct 19
OBJECTIVES
We were each given the joyful task of congratulating each other and presenting a Common Purpose course completion certificate.
I introduced and congratulated Ms Zeynab Hasan, Fundraising Executive - Grants & Campaigns, The Citizens Foundation.
My Common Purpose Certificate
Common Purpose is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1989 that develops leaders who can cross boundaries. This enables them to solve complex problems both in organizations and in cities.
We deliver face-to-face and online leadership programmes for multiple generations of leaders: from students in universities to senior leaders in organizations and society.
Source: Common Purpose
The Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme
- October 2019, The Roof Terrace, Aga Khan Centre
London, United Kingdom
Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme,
Common Purpose Chief Executive Alison Coburn, Oct 19
Congratulations to the compassionate Common Purpose team, The British Council, our distinguished guest speakers for their time and my peers who made the programme thoroughly enjoyable and special.
It was a wonderful experience and I hope to keep in touch with many leaders and pioneers.
I thoroughly enjoyed the programme and would highly recommend it to others.
Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme,
Common Purpose team Ms Joanna Hancox and Mr Mohammad Aladham
Thank you Jo, Alison and Mahmoud for addressing my pain and taking the time and perseverance to champion my place on the programme.
I do hope more Pakistani Diaspora leaders with chronic illness and disabilities apply.
You won't be disappointed.
As a recommendation I would like to see more hot healthy vegetarian options available for lunch.
I look forward to introducing the Common Purpose and British Council teams to the inspirational fair trade artisans I work with in Pakistan one day soon.
This will be the last day of the programme where diaspora leaders from the previous 4 cohorts will meet for an evening session.
I hope I am well enough to attend.
Sadly, I was unable to attend the last day of the programme, I was very poorly February and required urgent surgery for a ruptured cyst on my left ovary March 2020.
This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.
I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.
یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔
میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
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I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
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