Community Support Programs

Trocaire/NED- Bonded Labor Campaign- 2012

This project was initiated in collaboration with Trocaire which aimed at the eradication of bonded labour in brick kilns and the agricultural sector in Punjab and Sindh. Awareness methods such as theatre, documentaries, video testimonies e.t.c were applied to propagate the very message. In 2012 this campaign also focused on the implementation of the bonded labor abolition act. The orientation of lawyers regarding this law with the assistance of Dr Ali Qazalbash was also an integral part of this campaign.A total of 34 video documentaries were produced by maati.tv. In order to further effectively combat this problem a play by IRC was performed at the UCC Dublin University inorder to highlight the issue at a global level.

Capacity Building of Flood Victims through Mobile Films- 2012

This campaign aimed at improving accountability and providing voice to those who would have been denied otherwise. 50 mobile phones were distributed in 5 districts where 3 day training sessions were received by the participants and their short documentaries emphasising on issues of health and education were published on maati.tv. IRC started the innovative concept of using mobile phones to document the post flood rehabilitation efforts that promoted the idea of citizen journalism amongst the local community.

Safe Drinking Campaign- Fund for Human Development- 2012

The safe water drinking water campaign is a joint initiative of interactive resource centre and fund for human development (FDHR) this campaign focused on awareness of safe water drinking.Tools such as theatre, video profiles and tripartite dialogues were used as the mode of awareness within the areas Multan, Johi, Jafrabad and Bahawal Nagar.

Save the Children-PEPAS Project- 2012

This project was a four year program which focuses on issues of water, sanitation, environment and female education.This campaign was targeted in schools in illahi and bhatta gran where tools such as theatre and puppet shows have been made use of.

National Forum on Bonded Labor- 2009

The Seminar was organised at Best Western hotel, Islamabad in 2009. The purpose of this forum was to advocate the rights of bonded laborers in Pakistan which is a modern form of slavery. The forum invited government representatives, educational institutes, local organisations representatives and other stakeholders to work on the issue of bonded labour. A theatre performance was also staged on bonded labour. The performance was also performed at various locations in Pakistan especially Hyderabad and South Punjab.

Establishing Participatory Accountability Process- CIDA-PIF- 2005-2007

In this project IRC and CIDA-PIF worked in Shalimar Town, Lahore and Bhakkar Tehsil. The aim was to mobilise tehsil governments for supply of better water, environment and sanitation services by engaging communities in the planning and development process. The project also aimed to empower communities to demand their rights from their local governments in a peaceful manner. The project started with documenting voices of people regarding the problems they face in provision of effective services. IRC then developed theatre plays on the issue and used video profiles and theatre to raise voices of people.

Trocaire- PILAR- One Day Workshop- 2004

The IRC, Trocai, Anti-Slavery International conducted a one day workshop in Karachi on the 17th of February, 2004. The programme discussed in detail the crisis of bonded labour specifically in Brick Kilns in Punjab and in agriculture in Sindh.

Awareness on Social and Economic Rights through interactive Theatre- CIDA-2003

This project aimed to increase awareness about issues such as water shortages, privatisation, corporate farming, globalisation, human rights, and gender equality through the use of interactive theatre techniques, and to strengthen the theatre community in order to use theatre as a tool for advocacy and awareness. To achieve this, several activities were planned, including the formation of six theatre groups, the conduct of nine training workshops, the performance of 30 theatre performances by the six groups, the organisation of two three-day theatre festivals, and the production of promotional material on the effectiveness of interactive material.