Staff Reporter
LAHORE: The Global Community Engagement & Involvement (CEI) Summit 2025 was successfully held on Friday at the FPAP–Rahnuma Regional Office, Johar Town, Lahore. The event was organized by the Pakistan Institute of Living & Learning (PILL) with the objective of strengthening global, national, and local partnerships for meaningful community engagement in health research, with a special focus on mental health and wellbeing.
The summit was chaired by Dr. Rakhshi Memon, CEO of Manchester Global Foundation and Chair of the Global CEI Group, while Dr. Noor ul Zaman Rafique, Director Research, Administration & Engagement, PILL Punjab, served as co-chair.
Maj Gen (R) Muhammad Khalil Dar, Vice Chancellor of Lahore Garrison University, attended the summit as chief guest. In his address, he underscored the critical role of academic leadership and cross-sector collaboration in promoting community-centered research and ensuring sustainable implementation of mental health initiatives.
Dr. Tayyeba Kiran, Assistant Director at PILL, presented an overview of the institute’s vision, ongoing initiatives, and future plans to strengthen CEI partnerships, stressing the importance of inclusive, ethical, and community-driven research practices.
A high-level panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Amna Noureen, Global Lead, GCCB, brought together representatives from healthcare, education, academia, civil society, and policy sectors. The panel deliberated on their roles in research, community engagement, and the implementation of mental health strategies.
The summit also featured an interactive plenary session facilitated by Atta Ur Rahman, Manager Research Support, PILL, focusing on shared learning, actionable recommendations, and sustainable collaboration among stakeholders.
Participants from hospitals, universities, emergency services, civil society organizations, and government departments attended the event, reflecting the growing recognition of inclusive and community-led approaches in mental health research and practice.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to ethical, inclusive, and community-centered research, ensuring that no community is left behind. The organizers expressed gratitude to all speakers, panelists, and participants for contributing to the success of the event.
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