The Human Resource Development Network (HRDN), conceived by like minded HRD professionals in 1999 and became functional in March 2000, has grown steadily over the years. It originated as a Network of professionals and to provide them a platform where they could share ideas and newer concepts in the field of development, emerging around the globe and then acclimatize and practice them at national/regional level. The idea was also to set up a network that should work as a bridge between individual development professionals and organizations.
However, the process of “Networking for Sharing of Training Resources" started in January 1997 when Human Resource Development Section of The National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) initiated. The purpose of taking this initiative was bringing together various organizations involved in training and development of professionals and communities for sustainable development especially in non profit sector. This process was started by organizing the first workshop on “Networking for Sharing of Training Resources". This workshop was attended by different professionals from not- for-profit organizations. The issue of human resource development was discussed in detail and the workshop ended with a resolution to continue this effort.
Subsequently the series of the workshops of “Networking for Sharing of Training Resources", continued for next couple of years. National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Extension Services Management Academy (ESMA) AJK, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) and IUCN, the World Conservation Union, hosted six workshops respectively. The agenda of all the workshops was networking for sharing resources with human resource development as a crosscutting theme. The proceedings of the workshops were shared with all the stakeholders.
HRDN was thus formed and registered under Societies Act 1860 in 1999. The initial secretariat was established in a one-room office at NRSP. As mutually decided in the workshop, the secretariat had to be located in different member organizations on rotational basis. But it continued to reside at NRSP till the launch of its independent premises in 2001. The present secretariat of the network was established with the support of AKF, in 2001.
HRD Network, which started its activities in March 2000, is registered under the Societies Act 1860. . In a short period of eight years its membership has grown up to 654 in all, Pakistan based as well as international, out of which 106 are prominent non-profit organizations and 548 are individual members, who come from diverse backgrounds and enrich the HRDN resource base.
For the last eight years, the HRDN has not only seen a gradual increase in its membership fold but has also earned international recognition as a capacity building platform and one of the leading network of trainers. It draws its lifeblood from the voluntary spirit of its founders as well as of its professional and general members. Besides that it has also established its local chapters not only in Pakistan but in other South Asian countries as well. The HRDN has played its part in advocacy quite effectively since its inception and the development concepts and ideas which have come to the fore through the Network’s platform have propelled the development processes in the country
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are real people”
Entering the 21st century, HRDN remains committed to creating, with our partners, a better world for all— a world where inequality on any grounds, be it gender, class, race or ethnicity, is finally overcome. HRDN's gender equality policy is one tool to make this vision a reality.
The Objectives of the gender policy are as follows:
- To advance women's equal participation with men as decision-makers in shaping the sustainable development of their societies;
- To support women and girls in the realization of their full human rights; and
- To reduce gender inequalities in access to and control over the resources and benefits of development.
