However, in 1997 two distinct things happened in the head office and also in Asia. Firstly a merger of three independent offices took place at the head office and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung was chosen as the official name of the Foundation. The office also shifted from Cologne to Berlin. Secondly, a new office was established in Chiang Mai which then took the responsibilities of projects and programs for Southeast Asia.
Pakistan office from 1997 then concentrated its activities and remained a regional office for South Asia until 2004. From 2005- 2007 our office became the regional office for Pakistan and Afghanistan, and some of the themes we worked on were Traditional Societies and Democracy, Peace and Security, Political Participation of Women and Traditional Societies and Women Rights. From 2009-11 our work is being focused on Democratization, Ecology and Climate Change and last but not least on Peace and Security.
The 15 years in the region, we primarily focused on issues related to Women Democracy, Ecology, Conflict Resolution, and Culture. We not only supported the grass root initiatives for women but encouraged projects related to women empowerment even at the policy level. Our projects towards women included the political participation of women and also looked into the legal frame works. We supported the cultural issues and also established an institute of theatre arts in Bangladesh and did a pioneer work by developing the contacts of the theatre groups of Bangladesh and Pakistan which was quiet a taboo after the war of 1971, and various plays were produced in order to promote peace. Some of the leading environmental and ecology and sustainable development organizations in India and Pakistan are also supported by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Pakistan.
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Pakistan also worked on issues of peace and conflict resolutions. Through art and culture we tried to build the bridges. We initiated the dialogue of Indian and Pakistani ex-soldiers. We not only did seminars and projects around Secular Democracy Dialogue but also engaged in dialogues with traditional groups like religious leader (Mullvis) in Pakistan, and Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka etc. We organized various project partner meetings, carried out Women and Religion Symposiums, and worked on issues of fundamentalisms. We also helped in opening a separate office in India and subsequently opening an office in Afghanistan.
The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Pakistan office has created a niche for it is very well acclaimed amongst the civil society, in women organizations, in peace circles amongst the think tanks academics, and cultural scene. It also has its popularity amongst the human rights groups. In Pakistan we had projects in the tribal areas FATA to the tribal areas of PATA. We did projects in interior Sindh to Southern Punjab. We engaged with the youth, university students to the academic institutions. We were involved with the journalists and to the leading lawyers of the country. We have national regional and international links and are a resource center for journalists coming from abroad, and regularly provide them with insights on the political situation and establish their links.
Our Objectives
Supporting and strengthening participation, pluralism and the rule of law in the region.
Our Role and Mandate
» Working as a catalyst and enabler.
» Providing a forum for dialogue and exchange.
» Being a platform for Green Ideas and sustainable projects.
» Granting intellectual and financial support for research, conflict mediation and political awareness.
Our Partners
Within the scope of our mandate and to attain the objectives we cooperate with social initiatives and public bodies, civil society organizations and academic institutes.
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