Regional Symposium - Youth in Action for Global Change - British Council Pakistan - DAY 1

Pakistan's economic growth, social development and overall progress lies in the hands of the youth, which comprises 60 percent of the current population. The role of youth has often been put on a pedestal, with critics, policymakers, development specialists, trainers and writers arguing that the Pakistani youth is a vital change agent, rather than just simply a burden on the society. Currently, as we are heading towards rapid change (socio-political, economic etc) as a country with a dominantly young population, one wonders how we should think about the youth - what are the possibilities for young people in Pakistan? How are they going to make a difference - if so? How are we going to strengthen the diverse groups of young Pakistanis, and enable them to contribute towards community development and progress as our neighboring countries take off to new heights?

In order to address the many issues Pakistani and other Asian youths are currently facing in their pursuit of change and growth, the British Council Pakistan hosted the first-ever Regional Symposium: Youth in Action for Global Change in Islamabad today. The Symposium brought together experts from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds as representatives of several countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, USA and the UK to engage in a healthy dialogue on the civic engagement of youth globally. The Symposium is part of the British Council’s Active Citizens Program in Pakistan, and is focusing on the vigorous involvement of youth in a democratic decision-making process within an open society.

Day 1 of the Regional Symposium hit off with Director British Council Mr. David Martin addressing the audience, while pressing on the urgency of youth’s role as community players and global citizenship, which is a key concept at the British Council. Thereafter, Chairperson National Planning Commission Dr. Nadeem Ul Haq took the stage and spoke about development as an integrated activity and the involvement of youth and need for more forums of interaction. “We build houses, clubs, offices and roads, but we don’t have public libraries, community centers and other spaces for the youth to interact. We know that youth needs mentoring and informal education,” he said.

Dr. Nadeem Ul Haq left many of us delve deeper into thinking about new ways to generate capacity building of the Pakistani youth geared towards social and economic progress, but soon after the much-anticipated keynote speech by leading barrister Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan riveted the audience even more. The renowned lawyer/activist/politician highlighted the promising future of Pakistan via youth participation at the societal level and acceptance of diversity in Pakistan. He stated, “I have great hope in the people of Pakistan. You have to be firefighters to bring solutions that get people with different mindsets under one umbrella.” Addressing the youth in the audience, he said, “Your destiny is in your own hands – and you are here for the next forty or fifty years to fix things.”

Thereafter, the day proceeded with another keynote speech by Executive Director Innovations in Civic Participation USA Ms. Susan Stroud followed by a brief introduction to Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF.) by President YPF Ms. Donya Aziz and a drama performance by Kinnaird College for Women students. Facilitated by James Edlestron, the first session ‘Making Choices: Transforming Lives’ began with a keynote speech by Managing Director Riverpath UK Ms. Victoria Collis. The panel discussions began with each of the panelists including Mr. Atif Sheikh (Pakistan), Mr. Pradip Pariyar (Nepal), Mr. Yasin Janjua (Pakistan), Ms. Elaine Alam (Pakistan), Ms. Nasima Akhter (Bangladesh), and Ms. Taliba Yasseen (UK) presenting their work, views and responses to the global requirement of youth participatory action. The session ended with working groups presenting their thoughts and recommendations on the idea of making the wise choices of transforming others’ lives. Audience participants recommended community work, interpersonal skills, acceptance of diversity and capacity building among other notions as their ideas.

The second session ‘Making Choices: Towards Radicalization’ generated intense response from the audience, as it was more aligned to the current affairs across the globe, particularly in the Asian-middle-east region. Mr. Maajid Nawaz, the man behind the Khudi movement in Pakistan began with a keynote speech focusing on how communities across the world are becoming polarized with extremist ideologies, and there is an urgent need to address it. “There needs to be an organized initiative for democratic values. We need to demonstrate to the world that Islam cannot be hijacked and is perfectly compatible with a globalized world,” he explained. The panel discussions then commenced which included talks by Mr. Rajendra Mulmi (Nepal), Mr. Tanveer Ahmed (UK), Mr Raziq Fahim (Pakistan), Mr. Abdul Mobin Quraishi (Afghanistan) and Ms. Sana Saleem (Pakistan).

Day 1 of the Regional Symposium wrapped up with thrilled speakers and an enthusiastic audience, feeling challenged to address the pertinent issues at the societal level in their countries, with the idea of active youth citizenship being central – and above all else.