Political Activists in Punjab Conclude Training
Series
“Democracy
is a simple word to say but it is a very complicated
process,” said Bryan Heath, Principal Office of
the U.S. Consulate in Lahore. Speaking at the final
session of the NDI Political Party Development Program
in Punjab, Heath encouraged participants to look to
and influence the future. “Only you can decide
the future of your country,” he said.
NDI has organized a series of training workshops in
Punjab, Baluchistan and Sindh Provinces for activists
of all political stripes. These sessions, intended to
enhance leadership skills and help participants better
understand the nature and principles of politics, are
part of USAID’s broader program to strengthen
key democratic institutions in the lead up to 2007 national
elections in Pakistan.
At last weekend’s event in Lahore, participants
were required to develop and present ideas for projects
that could be carried out by their political parties.
The project ideas generated ranged from developing membership
databases to conducting comprehensive voter outreach
activities. Awards to given to those who generated the
best ideas.
“Democracy
is a simple word to say but it is a very complicated
process,” said Bryan Heath, Principal Office of
the U.S. Consulate in Lahore. Speaking at the final
session of the NDI Political Party Development Program
in Punjab, Heath encouraged participants to look to
and influence the future. “Only you can decide
the future of your country,” he said. 
At last weekend’s event in Lahore, participants
were required to develop and present ideas for projects
that could be carried out by their political parties.
The project ideas generated ranged from developing membership
databases to conducting comprehensive voter outreach
activities. Awards to given to those who generated the
best ideas.