By Abid Usman
ISLAMABAD: High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour has said that Canada is committed to support community-driven projects in the remote mountain communities of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.
Addressing at a ceremony on the shared mountain and northern cultures, organised by the Canadian High Commission here, Wendy Gilmour said that the aim of projects is to enhance women empowerment, and improve health, education, disaster risk management, besides economic development, according to a press release issued here on Thursday. She added, “During the last three years, the High Commission has also been promoting winter sports where Canadian staff has been visiting communities during their winter festivals”.
Wendy shared her wonderful travel experiences throughout Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral with the participants, and how playing sports brings people and countries together. She termed this ceremony as an opportunity to recognise partnerships’ achievements and inspire new partners and stakeholders, to come together to support these communities to thrive. Canada committed to support remote mountain communities of GB, Chitral: HC Wendy
In her remarks, Federal Minister of Climate Change, Sherry Rehman as chief guest, emphasised upon the urgency of taking climate action and called on Pakistani youth to lead in this regard.
The objective of the ceremony was to celebrate and encourage women’s empowerment, which is being advanced considerably through federal sports programs and community-led sports clubs, the speakers remarked.
Speakers also discussed how to work together to protect the delicate mountain ecosystems, which as evidenced in recent days, are constantly under threat from a fast-changing climate. The festival showcased short films and documentaries that celebrated mountain culture, sports, environmental protection, adventure, and exploration.
The event also launched a series of documentaries and a children’s book that showcased Pakistan’s climate heroes, produced by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s SOC Films. The resources were funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives and will be distributed to classrooms across the country.
