On May 2024, Faisal Ilyas, Executive Director of Peace Hope Pakistan and 2024 Goldin Global Fellow met with John Zeigler, Senior Director of Program at Goldin Institute to discuss intersections between their work in green urban development and asset-based community development. The two spoke about guiding the connections between the Chicago and Global teams of the Goldin Institute.
Accompanied by adjunct faculty at DePaul University, Hiba Zakai, they initially met and discussed the insights of Local and Global Peace Fellows and the impactful work Goldin Institute is doing worldwide. “We were together on the call when all the Chicago and Global fellows were online, it was a great experience. Thank you so much Goldin Institute for such an inspiring experience.” says Faisal. “I had the privilege to travel to Islamabad and accompany the participants in the Green Urban Development (GUD) initiative on a learning journey that allowed me to witness the creativity and urgency in addressing issues of green urban development in Pakistan.” says John. He further says that Faisal allowed him to understand the power of humanity which, according to John is the main movement builder that helps to lift this GUD process.
Green Urban Development and Water Management
On the trip, they visited the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) headquarters in Islamabad to get a first-hand understanding of its work and activities. “The purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities for the exchange of ideas on how to promote innovative urban solutions through community engagement. Dr. Hifza Rasheed, Director General (Water Quality) gave an overview presentation about PCRWR research & development, innovations, and capacity-building initiatives.”
Faisal Ilyas values the meeting as informative, as they shared the national-level research results in the presentations. He shared his experience working with madrassas and mosques in Lahore while giving consultancy to the WWF Lahore office. The WWF planted more than 20 Conservation of Ablution Water systems in different madrassas and mosques and also planted recharge wells in Lahore city to uplift the waterbed a need of the hour.
Utilizing Assets to Uplift Communities
Faisal, John, and Hiba also went to Haryali Hub – the Climate Action Project Site of the Pak Mission Society, a non-profit National Humanitarian and Development organization working for the unreached and marginalized communities to bring hope, dignity, respect, and share love through emergency relief efforts and deliver long-term rehabilitation and development programs. Ms. Ayesha Khalid Senior Program Coordinator at the Institute of Urbanism, led the guided tour to Haryali Hub, all shared their brief introductions and Mr. Sunil Gill shared the highlights of their work.
The staff at Pak Mission Society shared their Climate Action projects and some of their achievements. Later they helped us all to show their recycling and up-cycling techniques for reducing the pollution and supporting the organic adaptations. Staff members also presented souvenirs to all the guests.
The visit concluded with a session on the Asset-Based Community Development Approach and Asset Mapping at the Superior University Lahore led by Hiba and Faisal. Students shared their project insights to uplift their communities. They learned to apply asset-based community development through mapping the vital assets of the respective community. We also describe the great work done by the Goldin Institute since 2018 by selecting Global Fellows and Chicago Peace Fellows at the GATHER Platform.“ Faisal Ilyas said, Mr. John Zeigler is an amazing leader and wonderful advisor. While sharing my work with him, he listened with great interest and encouraged me to keep helping people in need. I am truly thankful for his valuable time and lovely company.”
