¬A quantum leap in Italy-Pakistan ties my priority’
Ambassador of Italy Andreas Ferrarese talks to Daily Islamabad Post; says he wants to enhance Italian cultural presence; appreciates Pakistan’s role in regional as well as Afghan peace.
EXCLUSIVE
Ansar M Bhatti
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese has said Italy is a country whose extremely open economy is based on international trade, on extraordinary circulation of foreign passengers and merchandizes, on international tourism. That is the reason why it was one of the first countries to be affected. Italians had to hinder such a great challenge without the point of reference of previous experiences in the last 100 years.
The Italian ambassador made these remarks in an exclusive interview with daily Islamabad Post. His detailed interview shall be published in CENTRELINE magazine.
To a question about Italian govt steps to reduce impact of virus, the ambassador said, the Government acted from the beginning by adopting difficult and resolute decisions in full transparency. The main one was a general lockdown and unprecedented limitation of movements. The population has shown a great sense of responsibility and resilience. Many Italians live in small apartments. Life was very hard for them during months. There was an extraordinary effort by scientist, researchers, and a commitment by physicians and hospital staff which I would not hesitate to define heroic. We constantly shared our experience with all international partners. We received from Pakistan great solidarity and concrete support in the hardest moment.
Regarding bilateral ties the ambassador said, it is a matter of satisfaction that both our countries enjoy great unanimity of views on several issues of global importance. I would want to further deepen this understanding and cooperation at political level. We have, historically, an excellent collaboration within the United Nations. Even in this period of COVID we could have important political contacts, through a phone call between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Italian counterpart, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and a phone call between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.
Over past few years, trade between the two countries has seen a constant rise, thanks to the efforts of business communities on both sides, reaching a total amount of 1,5 Billion Euro in 2019. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement. One of my goals during my posting in Islamabad is to enhance Italian cultural presence in Pakistan through various mediums.
I have to improve the consular services for more than 1 Million Pakistani citizens who have – nowadays – a relative living in Italy, since my Country, after Brexit, is currently hosting the biggest community of Pakistanis in the European Union.
Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese said Pakistan is a relevant player globally and not only in this Region, with whom we fruitfully collaborate in the main international fora, especially in United Nations. We praise and support the role of Pakistan and its action of facilitation in order to contribute to bring peace and normalization in Afghanistan, which would greatly contribute to a stabilization and prosperity of this geo-political area.
He said being one of his first interviews; he would take some longer to introduce himself. Pakistan he said was his sixth diplomatic assignment abroad and the second as Ambassador of Italy. “My father is a Professor of History with a passion for archeology and my mother a Professor of Financial Economy. I took something from both of them, but at the end prevailed to the seductions of an academic life the desire to serve my Country in public Administration. I graduated in Arabic language and literature, then had a first quality training in political sciences, economy and law at the University of Padua, and through a stage in Ecole Nationale d’Administration – ENA, thus in Paris”.
He said once he passed the selection for the diplomatic service, age 26, one of the hardest in Italy, in the Ministry I opted for starting my work in economic affairs, being assigned in Office for economic relations with Asia. In that occasion he worked a lot with Pakistani counterparts, with excellent results. “I remember that Pakistani Ambassador in Rome at that time, a great gentleman, often invited me for great lunches and dinners despite being a young Diplomat. He made me love your country’.
‘My first posting abroad was, age 28, as n.2 in the Italian Embassy in the Philippines. I faced relevant problems connected to migration and security (kidnapping of Italians), but had great satisfactions promoting Italian busyness and great increasing of political collaboration. I reinforced a lot the role of Italy in Asian Development Bank. First posting, for a Diplomat, is like first love’.
I than moved, age 33, to Tel Aviv as press Counsellor and coordinator for consular affairs. A difficult period but very useful for my professional formation, in a very challenging media and security environment.
I served then, age 36, in Crisis Unit of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Deputy Director. In that position I contributed to manage huge crises such as Tsunami in 2004, 4 evacuations from war scenarios, 96 hostage takings, epidemiologic crises, and many others. A great experience with a very high personal sacrifice. I reinforced a great passion for technology. When I finished my service there the Crisis Unit was considered one of the most efficient in the world. I was invited by Department of State in US to share our experience, the ambassador added.
Further dilating on his career he said, “I was then, age 39, Deputy Ambassador to Lebanon, in a period in which Italy played a major role for stabilization of that Country, since UNIFIL II Mission was thus leaded by an Italian Commander who still enjoys a great reputation in the Middle East Region’.
‘I then served, age 43, as Deputy Ambassador in Brazil where I coordinated the Embassy and one of the widest consular networks in the world: 6 major Consulates and about 100 Honorary Consuls. We had 400.000 persons in line to obtain Italian citizenship. Italian investments amounted 18 billion Euros, regarding – to mention some samples – 25% of Brazilian cars, and 68 millions of cellphone lines’.
I was then appointed, age 45, Ambassador to Kosovo, in a very important moment of the dialogue with Serbia, crucial for the stability of the Balkans a strategic region for Europe and Italy.
At the age of 48, I was assigned in the office of the Prime Minister, in charge of strategic analysis and some international rapports.
After a period of direct collaboration with the Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I was appointed on 4 October 2019, age 51, Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where I arrived of February 10 2020, and presented Letter of Credence on June 11th 2020.
Full text of the interview shall be published in the CENTRELINE magazine. The interview is also available at www.dailyisbpost.com.pk / www.dnanews.com.pk and www.centreline.com.pk.
Will ask Rehman Malik to explain meeting with COAS: Bilawal
ISLAMABAD – PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says he will seek an explanation from Senator Rehman Malik over his meeting with army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
“I will seek an explanation from Rehman Malik sahab,” said Bilawal when a reporter asked him about the meeting between Malik and General Bajwa a day earlier.
He added that the senator may have met the army chief as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Interior. “But I will certainly ask him,” said Bilawal while speaking to reporters with JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
On Monday, PPP’s Senator Rehman Malik met the army chief in Rawalpindi. According to the ISPR, the two men discussed “matters related to defence and internal security.”
“Rehman Malik appreciated Pakistan Army’s success in bringing peace to the country and pledged support of the Senate Committee on Internal Security towards consolidating the gains,” the army’s media wing had said.
Palmolive naturals introduces new Palmolive girl in its TVC
DNA
Islamabad : JUL 28 :- The dynamic actress and model Syra Yousuf has been roped in as the new face of Pakistan’s well-known personal care brand – Palmolive Naturals. Featured in the new TVC for the Brand, the actress unveiled its new liquid hand wash range that is both ‘Tough on Germs’ and ‘Soft on Hands’.
The TVC celebrates the indomitable spirit of being both toughat mind and soft at heart with the Palmolive girl,Syra Yousuf. The campaignhighlightsthe importance of staying safe and healthy by washing your hands with out compromising your skin, using the new Palmolive Liquid Hand Wash range that kills germs while keeping your hands soft and moisturized.
Speaking about the launch of the new product, Aziz Jindani, CCO Colgate Palmolive, said, “As a responsible brand, our role is to offer ‘help’and ‘hope’ to our consumers in difficult times like these. The launch of the Palmolive Liquid Hand Wash range does exactly that, offering a quality hand hygiene product to help protect health at large, and inspire hope that we can all be ‘tough and soft’ at the same time, like Palmolive is –‘Tough on Germs and Soft on Hands’.”
Syra Yousuf, upon joining Palmolive Naturals as the new Palmolive Girl, said, “It goes without saying that taking care of ourselves and those around us should be our first priority right now. With Palmolive Naturals, it was easy to make the decision and be part of this venture because the Brand’s philosophy resonates with my own – we have to be both tough and strong to be able to exist!”
The 360-degree campaign featuring Syra Yousuf has been launched nationwide, and can be seen on all media platforms. The actress will now be the official brand ambassador for Palmolive Naturals soaps and liquid handwashes.
England win third Test against West Indies to claim series
LONDON, JUL 28 – England beat the West Indies by 269 runs to claim a series-clinching win in the third Test at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Victory saw England take the three-match series 2-1 and regain the Wisden Trophy they lost in the Caribbean last year.
England paceman Stuart Broad became just the seventh bowler to take 500 Test wickets as the West Indies, set 399 for victory, collapsed to 129 all out in under 38 overs.
Day Four
Rain wiped out the fourth day’s play at Old Trafford on Monday to frustrate England’s bid for a series-clinching win over the West Indies and keep Stuart Broad waiting for his 500th Test wicket.
Bad weather meant the whole of the penultimate day’s play in the deciding third Test was washed out, with the umpires finally abandoning any hope of action soon after 4:00 pm.
England do, however, still have one day left to press for a win that would see them take the three-match series 2-1.
Broad is just one wicket away from becoming only the seventh bowler to join the “500 club” after taking all six West Indies wickets that fell on Sunday.
The 34-year-old paceman returned first-innings figures of 6-31 as West Indies were bundled out for 197 in reply to England’s 369, which included Broad’s dashing 62.
And after England made 226-2 declared in their second innings, featuring Rory Burns’ 90 and fifties from captain Joe Root and Dom Sibley, there was still time for Broad to strike twice by removing John Campbell and nightwatchman Kemar Roach.
That left Broad, controversially omitted from West Indies’ win in the series opener at Southampton, on 499 Test wickets.
The only bowlers with more than 600 Test wickets are a trio of former spinners — Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Australian Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619).
The only seamers ahead of Broad are his long-time England new-ball colleague James Anderson (589 wickets) and Australia’s Glenn McGrath (563) and the West Indies’ Courtney Walsh (519), both of whom are retired.
West Indies will resume on 10-2, chasing an unlikely victory target of 399.
No side has made more to win in the fourth innings of an Old Trafford Test than England’s 294-4 against New Zealand in 2008.
West Indies, who hold the Wisden Trophy after a 2-1 win over Root’s men in the Caribbean last year, are bidding for their first Test series success in England since 1988.
Day Three
Stuart Broad was only one wicket away from becoming just the seventh bowler to take 500 Test wickets as England closed in on a series victory over the West Indies at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Broad’s haul of 6-31 in 14 overs saw the West Indies bundled out for 197 in reply to England’s first-innings 369 that featured his dashing 62.
England’s second-innings 226-2 declared saw opener Rory Burns make 90 as the West Indies were set a huge target of 399 for victory.
And there was still time for Broad to reduce the tourists, who had no answer to his late movement off a good length, to 10-2 at stumps on the third day.
Broad had the struggling John Campbell caught at first slip for a duck by England captain Joe Root and then moved to 499 Test wickets when nightwatchman Kemar Roach was caught behind.
Broad bowled the final over of the day’s play, with his last ball just missing Shai Hope’s outside edge.
The only bowlers with more than 600 Test wickets are a trio of former spinners — Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Australian Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619).
The only seamers ahead of Broad are his longtime England new-ball colleague James Anderson (589) and the retired pair of Australia’s Glenn McGrath (563) and the West Indies’ Courtney Walsh (519).
‘Ridiculous achievement’
Broad took all the West Indies wickets to fall on Sunday in a combined return of 6-22 in seven overs, with his burst of 4-11 in 22 balls ending the visitors’ first innings after they had avoided the follow-on.
“It’s a pretty ridiculous achievement to get to 500 (wickets),” said Burns. “Hopefully we can keep grabbing them for him.”
England’s second innings saw Burns and Dom Sibley (56) share a stand of 114 — England’s first century opening partnership in a home Test since Alastair Cook and Alex Hales put on 126 against Pakistan at Edgbaston in 2016.
England captain Joe Root had made a brisk 68 not out when he declared, amid concerns Monday’s play could be washed out.
Burns, in common with Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope in England’s first innings, got into the 90s without making it to three figures.
Not that the left-hander, who holed out against off-spinner Roston Chase, was too concerned.
“It was good to set up the team in a good position though, that was the most important thing.”
West Indies coach Phil Simmons once again bemoaned the failure of his team’s batsmen to back up the bowlers in a gruelling schedule of three back-to-back Tests that marks international cricket’s return from the coronavirus lockdown.
“We haven’t had any centuries in the series,” he said. “There are two days left to bat and someone needs to get themselves a big hundred.”
“There is plenty of time in the game so we need to be more determined to get big scores.”
Dowrich injury
West Indies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich was hit in the face by a 90mph Shannon Gabriel delivery that burst through his gloves and had to leave the field.
“He was lucky it came off the gloves first,” said Simmons. “He has a little cut on the inside of his lip, but no damage to his teeth.”
One-day international wicketkeeper Hope initially took over behind the stumps before Joshua Da Silva, the back-up gloveman in the Test squad but not in the XI for this match, was allowed on.
Da Silva nearly stumped Burns, on 12, off Chase but slipped as he tried to take off the bails.
Day Two
Stuart Broad sparked a top-order collapse after starring with the bat as England reduced the West Indies to 137-6 at stumps on the second day of the decisive third Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.
England had slumped to 280-8 after losing four wickets for 18 runs before No 10 Broad’s swashbuckling 62 took them to a first-innings total of 369.
When bad light forced an early close, the West Indies were 232 runs behind, needing 33 more to avoid the follow-on.
West Indies captain Jason Holder was 24 not out and Shane Dowrich 10 not out.
The veteran new-ball duo of Broad and James Anderson, paired together for the first time this series, both had stumps figures of 2-17.
“We were hoping to get 400 at the start of the day, that was our plan, but we’re happy with getting over 350,” Broad told Sky Sports.
“With our discipline with the ball, we’ve had a great day,” he added, with England looking to win this three-match series 2-1 and regain the Wisden Trophy.
‘Played his shots’
West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach, who earlier took his 200th Test wicket in a return of 4-72, admitted his side were in a tough spot.
“We started well but Stuart Broad came in and played his shots and things went his way,” Roach told the BBC.
“Things drifted a bit and we’re in a difficult position now but the guys will fight it out.”
Broad struck with just his fourth ball to have West Indies dangerman Kraigg Brathwaite caught at slip by England captain Joe Root for one.
John Campbell, dropped on 10 by normally reliable second slip Ben Stokes, looked increasingly assured while making 32.
But fast bowler Jofra Archer, back after being omitted from England’s 113-run win in the second Test for breaching the bio-secure regulations governing this series, produced a rib-high delivery that left-hander Campbell could only fend to gully.
Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, then struck either side of tea on his Lancashire home ground as the tourists declined to 59-4.
The struggling Shai Hope was caught behind for 17 after being squared up by a full-length Anderson delivery that moved away late — a desperately difficult ball to play.
Anderson then had Shamarh Brooks inside edging to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler with one that cut the other way.
In a campaign that marks international cricket’s return from lockdown, Broad’s classic nip-backer had Roston Chase lbw to the leave the West Indies in dire straits at 73-5.
Jermaine Blackwood, who made a match-clinching 95 in the West Indies’ four-wicket win in the first Test, looked good during his 26.
But Blackwood was bowled between bat and pad by Chris Woakes to give all of England’s pace quartet a wicket, with Stokes unable to bowl because of a quad injury.
Dowrich was lucky when he got in a tangle against an Archer bouncer, only for the ball to just clear the back-pedalling Rory Burns in the gully.
England resumed on 258-4 after losing the toss.
Ollie Pope was 91 not out and Buttler unbeaten on 56 — his first Test fifty in 14 innings.
Pope, however, failed to add to his score.
In sight of his second Test century, Pope had already been dropped by Rahkeem Cornwall in the slips when Shannon Gabriel clean bowled him to end a fifth-wicket stand of 140.
Buttler was well caught low down for 67 by Holder at second slip.
But Broad, who has a highest Test score of 169, counter-attacked with his first fifty at this level in just over three years.
On a ground where he was hit on the face by a bouncer from India’s Varun Aaron in 2014, left-handed batsman Broad pulled Roach for six as the new ball started to soften.
Broad completed a 33-ball fifty before hitting a full-toss from occasional off-spinner Chase to deep midwicket.
Day One
Ollie Pope’s superb 91 not out helped England recover on the first day of the deciding third Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford on Friday with the batsman admitting “it’s a weight off my shoulders”.
England were in trouble at 122-4, with second Test century-makers Dom Sibley and Ben Stokes, as well as captain Joe Root, all out cheaply.
But Pope, who ended the day in sight of his second Test hundred and the under-pressure Jos Buttler, 56 not out, shared an unbroken stand of 136 that left England on 258-4 when bad light forced an early close.
Pope’s effort was all the more admirable as his first three innings this series had yielded scores of just 12, 12 and seven.
He was unbeaten on another 12 as England completed a 113-run win in the second Test, also at Old Trafford, to leave this three-match contest all square at 1-1.
“It does feel like a little bit of a weight off the shoulders,” Pope told Sky Sports.
International cricket’s first series since the coronavirus lockdown has seen both teams confined to on-site hotels at both the Ageas Bowl, the venue in Southampton for the first Test, and Old Trafford.
Pope said he had struggled with being unable to return home between Tests.
“To be honest, I’ve found it challenging being in such an intense environment — not being able to get out and see family,” explained the 22-year-old Surrey batsman. “You go back to your room and you’re back looking over the cricket pitch.”
West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss and his decision to field was defended by opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite.
“There was moisture in the wicket, and we thought as a team we wanted to utilise it,” he said. “They (England) got a good partnership, but I don’t think we’re out of it, to be honest.”
England brought in express quick Jofra Archer and veteran spearhead James Anderson for the dropped pair of batsman Zak Crawley and left-arm paceman Sam Curran.
Opening batsman Sibley, who made a near eight-hour hundred in the second Test, fell for a five-ball duck when lbw to fast bowler Kemar Roach.
In came Root, who gifted his wicket on 17 when, going for a risky single, he was run out by Roston Chase’s direct hit from backward point.
Stokes, now the world’s top-ranked all-rounder after innings of 176 and 78 not out in the second Test, was effectively playing as a specialist batsman after a quad injury cast doubt over his bowling fitness.
He was, however, brilliantly set-up by Roach who, having tested him with a couple of short balls, clean bowled the left-handed batsman with one that seamed back.
Rory Burns made a composed fifty before the recalled Rahkeem Cornwall, belying his 6ft 6in and some 22 stone frame, held an outstanding one-handed slip catch following a fiercely-edged cut off fellow spinner Chase.
Pope had a lucky break on 30 when a miscued pull off Shannon Gabriel evaded a diving Chase, running back from mid-on.
World Cup winning wicket-keeper Buttler, whose Test place was under threat following 13 innings without a fifty, upped the tempo by hoisting spinner Cornwall for two sixes in four balls.
“The way Jos plays, if he’s in, he’s going to be scoring runs pretty fluently,” said Pope, who entered the 90s with an elegant on-driven four off Roach.
Archer had been omitted from the second Test after making an unauthorised trip home that breached England’s bio-secure ‘bubble’.
But even though no fans are allowed into grounds in a behind closed doors series, this year’s #RedForRuth initiative still raised £282,385 on Friday.
Former England captain Andrew Strauss helped establish a charity after his wife Ruth died from a rare form of lung cancer affecting non-smokers in 2018.
The Ruth Strauss Foundation also assists families facing the death of a parent.
Army chief visits Heavy Industries Taxila
DNA
Rawalpindi, 28 July – General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), today. COAS was chief guest at the handing over ceremony of Tank Al Khalid-I to Armoured Corps Regiment.Tank Al Khalid-I is a joint venture with friendly countries China and Ukraine.
During the ceremony Tank Al Khalid-I displayed some of its outstanding capabilities including mobility, speed, Bi-axis gun stabilization of the control system and use of smoke screen to mask movement.Al Khalid-I will be handed over to formations, which have critical and decisive role during war.
Major General Syed Aamer Raza, Chairman HIT highlighted the ongoing projects, achievements of HIT and its contribution in defence industry by pursuing self-reliance.COAS expressed his confidence, satisfaction and appreciation for HIT’s state of the art products and capabilities.
COAS lauded the efforts of HIT towards attainment of self-reliance and manufacturing of world class indigenous defense products, direly needed in evolving security environment.Reiterating the need for bolstering defence and operational preparedness, COAS said that our defence preparation and operational readiness is to ensure peace within and peace without. However, if provoked we shall respond and respond with all our might.
Metro Pakistan initiates Madadgar Programme
KARACHI, JUL 28 (DNA) – The micro-finance programme, in collaboration with Akhuwat, will provide support to the small businesses which are impacted by the ongoing pandemic and its aftermaths.
Metro Pakistan is all set to launch“Madadgar”, a support initiative, in collaboration with Akhuwat Foundation. Madadgar is an effort to provide moral and financial support to the hardworking people who have lost their business during the current pandemic, lost their job and have no capital to start all over again to earn income and to feed themselves and their families.
As per the initiative,at first 50 micro business owners will be supported by providing them with interest free capital.
Further on, the recollected money from them will again be utilised further, as capital for more needy micro business owners in the coming years,so the capital investment will be kept in circulation to facilitate more families to alleviate extreme poverty.
Metro Pakistan has been at the forefront to provide all possible assistance to the fellow countrymen during these difficult times, and has initiated many support programmes, from providing PPE suits to the PDMA, and to provide food hampers to the medical professionals in multiple cities.
Akhuwat is the world’s largest Islamic micro-finance organization. Since 2001, Akhuwat has been working for poverty alleviation by empowering socially and economically marginalized segments of the society through its various poverty alleviation projects. DNA
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UK pet cat tests positive for COVID-19
A pet cat has become the first UK animal to be infected with coronavirus, health officials said Monday, insisting there was “no evidence” it could pass on the disease.
The case was confirmed by the UK’s chief veterinary officer after laboratory tests carried out earlier this month in Surrey, near London.
Officials said that “all available evidence” indicated the cat likely contracted the disease from its owners who had tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement from the environment ministry said the cat poses no risk.
“Although this is the first confirmed case of an animal infection with the coronavirus strain in the UK, there is no evidence to suggest that the animal was involved in transmission of the disease,” it said.
The cat was initially diagnosed by a private vet as having the feline herpes virus but the sample was also subsequently tested for COVID-19 and proved positive.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss called it “a very rare event”, adding that there was “no evidence to suggest that pets directly transmit the virus to humans”.
Although it is the first such case in the UK, there have been reports elsewhere of animals developing the virus.
Chinese envoy meets Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandiviwalla
DNA
ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 – Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla held a meeting with Yao Jing, Ambassador of China, said that Pakistan has always believed in one China policy and Pakistan supports China in its position regarding Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Deputy Chairman said that China and Pakistan have mutual support and acceptance of each other’s territorial positions and China’s support to the Kashmir cause is a valued commitment.
Both sides discussed the local, regional as well as global position including India’s continuing atrocities in Kashmir, China’s businesses being stopped in India and US among other issues.
Deputy Chairman Senate called for making Parliamentary Friendship groups active and functional once travel restrictions are eased and both sides can meet. The Ambassador appreciated the business being conducted in Senate House proceedings with healthy debates and quality bills being carried out.
Launch of Impact Link: Social Enterprise Prize Challenge 2020
DNA
Islamabad, 28 July,The Scottish Government and SEED in collaboration with Youth Co:Lab an initiative co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation has launched the ‘Impact Link: Social Enterprise Challenge 2020’ for youth-led social enterprises in Pakistan working on innovative solutions to counter health, social, economic and environmental challenges, with a particular emphasis on enterprises addressing challenges that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Successful applicants will be invited to take part in a virtual boot camp spanning five days in the first week of September 2020.
The program will be exclusively executed in Pakistan by UNDP Pakistan, SEED, DEMO, and the Social Enterprise Academy.
Upon completion of the boot camp, ten most promising enterprises will be selected and awarded with cash prizes. The top five winners of the challenge will receive a grant of PKR 820,000while the runners-up will receive PKR 480,000 to upscale their ideas. Mentors and industry experts will be guiding these young entrepreneurs to build sustainable social ventures. The winners will also be showcased at the regional Youth Co:Lab Summit that will be held next year.
Details of the Impact Link: Social Enterprise Prize Challenge 2020 can be found here: https://bit.ly/ImpactLink
Speaking at the virtual launch, Ms AlionaNiculita, Resident Representative a.i. said at the occasion:
“With support from Youth Co:Lab, UNDP Pakistan is excited to collaborate with SEA’s Impact Link programme to promote social entrepreneurship, engage youth in social enterprise development and facilitate inclusive employment amongst the unemployed youth of Pakistan, especially during these challenging times. This collaboration will build on UNDP’s existing work towards enabling youth and youth-led social enterprises to meaningfully engage in initiatives that are working on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan, while creating spaces that value the participation, ideas, and voiceof young people.”
While speaking at the virtual launch, Shaista Ayesha- CEO & Director, SEED Ventures said,“SEED believes in the power of collaboration. This alliance between Impact Link and UNDP was initiated and spearheaded by SEED and is a testament to our belief. We are excited that it has happened. As Hub partners in Pakistan for Social Enterprise Academy – Scotland, we hope that through this collaboration we can forward and amplify the Academy’s cause for reaching and impacting lives of social entrepreneurs in Pakistan.”
Ms. Nazia Ali, Head of International at Social Enterprise Academy,while speaking at the virtual launch event commented “We are delighted to be able to connect SEA’s Impact Link programme funded by Scot Government, to Youth Co:Lab at UNDP and DEMO. In our second year of Impact Link in Pakistan, we are able to do crucial work to support and accelerate social entrepreneurs in these challenging times – when innovation is high and the availability and access to support is inadequate. There is much we can learn from insightful entrepreneurs working on both rural and urban solutions, and through Impact Link we will be able to lay the foundations for this learning to happen across a cluster of people across Pakistan.”
