Established in 2001, the Good Thinkers Organization for Human Development is a non-for profit, non-political and non-government organisation striving for provision of justice and development opportunities to underserved people in Pakistan. Its mission is to forge good governance, protect basic rights and foster human development for the citizens of Pakistan particularly women, children, transgender persons and religious minorities. It is registered with government of Punjab through Directorate of Social Welfare under Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies Act 1961 (registration and control ordinance, XLVI). So far, it has executed 33 projects through valuable support of its sponsors and partners. It is Kasur-based organisation that has been gearing up to expand its intervention in other parts of province as well.
“Passion for justice along with human development” and “enthusiasm to address societal issues” is the key driving force behind establishment and functioning of this organisation. The founding members are the self-motivated and energetic persons; their determination was therefore high and ironic. They gathered hundreds of other young persons and initiated this organisation with limited resources. The organisation has been working under the guidance and direction of an autonomous body of a board comprising on seven members. This is heartening to mention all of board members are performing their duties on volunteer basis. These members are self-motivated, energetic and enthusiastic persons who are committed for provision of rights with justice to every citizen without any discrimination.
Through various programmes, the organisation has significantly contributed in development of marginalised communities particularly women and children by upholding good-governance practices, advocating for rights of people, providing free legal aid to victims, combating with child labour, fostering economic empowerment and skill enhancement among women, and empowering youth and trans-persons. It undertook these interventions under enabling partnerships of government line departments, government commissions, national and international non-government organizations, bi-lateral funding agencies, and development networks. Its key donors include but not limited to; Norwegian Human Rights Fund, United States Agency for International Development, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development - Government of Canada, and Australian High Commission in Pakistan.
It has been progressing forward by extending its collaborations, establishing networks, undertaking multifarious projects, exploring new avenues for cooperation and development, and empowering communities particularly marginalised women to make them self-reliant. While designing and implementing its activities, it duly considers guiding principles of international commitments. All of its interventions are directed to add a partial contribution in achievement of SDGs. It fosters the contribution in achievement of all six goals of Education For All by implementing its education programme under guidelines of these goals. It is significantly inspired by the purposeful articles of Convention on the Rights of the Child, and therefore vigilantly places a substantial emphasis on keeping these articles on the heart of its programmes. Furthermore it vigorously discourages gender disparity in its beneficiaries by following the guiding principles of Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Vision
A society where everyone enjoys equal access to rights and justice.
Mission
Strive to forge good Governance and uplift legal and social status of citizens particularly marginalized communities in Pakistan.
Objective
Cultivate a culture of a transparent, accountable, democratic and good governance to promote justice and human rights.
Enable citizens to enjoy their fundamental rights as enshrined in national constitution and international treaties.
Combat with gender inequality through social, democratic and economic empowerment of women and transgender persons.
Build peace, develop social and religious harmony, and reduce extremisms through engaging youth.
Reduce economic exploitation and poverty by strengthening economic position of vulnerable youth.
Foster child protection and development by discouraging hazardous forms of child labor and trafficking.