"The basic rights and freedom to which all humans are entitled include the right of liberty, freedom of thought, expression and equality before law and justice. Adults can struggle to attain these rights but the responsibility for guaranteeing the rights of youth lies on adults who need to ensure the youth for developing a secure environment, offering equal opportunities of physical development, education and cultural growth to all".

As a sequel to the very successful International Youth Jam 2005 and Youth Leadership Conference 2006 in Karachi, Young Social Reformers organizes Young People’s Forum for International and Regional Studies 2007.

Background: 

Democracy, peace and diversity are the need of time for Pakistan. In the present scenario of Pakistan where blatant violation of the constitution easily takes place by the government, human rights are violated to the fullest; peace is de-stabled by law enforcement agencies and extremist groups. It is essential that the Pakistani youth becomes aware of their basic rights as individuals and emerge as a driving force of the society. In many developing countries the youth has suddenly emerged as the driving force of the society’s economy all over the world. Even the most of mass communication campaigns have the youth as their major target groups. However, the segment of Pakistan’s population measuring to up to 55 per cent is yet to emerge as the decisionmaker.

The decisionmaking power of the Pakistani youth is yet to be regonized in the economic, political and the cultural domains. They need to be informed, sensitized, involved and empowered so as to be able to make informed choices and be the changemakers. The political enfranchisement, financial power (employment) and social recognition must come with an insightful awareness for future.

This program to be held in Karachi from 07th – 09th November 2007 is a platform for national youth leaders to have a deeper understanding about the principles of successful developed nations and also to discuss and mobilize around the crucial developmental issues such as Democracy, Peace & Diversity, Human Rights, Volunteering and Community Service with relevance to Pakistan.

History is witness to the fact that whenever the youth rose for a cause, the very foundations of society were shaken and righteousness restored. On the contrary, however, today’s youth in spite of being the driving force of society, is largely un-represented in the decision-making. The youth needs to be mainstreamed in the decision-making process – whether as an employee, buyer or a national leader. This program is an informative platform to discuss and analyze the agenda of some key national, global and development issues which have a marked impact in the growth of our country and society.

Rationale:

There is a need for introducing programs within the country that will foster better understanding among the youth. The program theme will be “Promoting peace, democracy and diversity for a better tomorrow’’ while offering an insight to the principles of peace, democracy and diversity the program will serve as a platform for the youngsters to discuss and advocate their concerns relating the future of Pakistan by having dialogues with prominent personalities to enhance the role of youth in  promoting Democracy, Peace, Diversity and Human Rights in Pakistan.

This forum will look to construct upon the achievements of youngsters to mobilize fresh comprehension and replicate the success stories by congregating the youth energies. This programs seeks to connect the opportunities for Youth with the welfare of the country. This may be possible with an active support of all the stakeholders of development sector, foreign missions, Exchange Alumni, politicians, corporate companies, media, youth organizations, and, of course the government sector.

Project Goals:

• To encourage youth to promote the principles of democracy, peace and diversity.
• To make the young mind’s realise the need of a democratic country where their birth rights could be exercised to the fullest.
• To empower youth in dealing with present day issues of social, developmental, intellectual and political significance.
• To provide better understanding to Pakistani Youth regarding basic principles of Democracy with examples of successful democratic countries.
• To encourage Pakistani youth to overcome regional prejudices.
• To provide a platform to the youth to interact with prominent personalities.
• To encourage national-level consultations between the youth and government aiming at accelerating youth participation in decision and policy making processes.
• To expand the core group of youth leaders with similar idelogies working for peace and stability in Pakistan.
• To encourage leadership traits in youngsters and enhancing the sense of making a difference in the lives of other people.
• To eradicate provincial biasness among youngsters promoting the sense of national unity.

Target Audience:

250 undergraduate and graduate student leaders from various universities in the department of Literature, International Relations, Mass Communication, Sociology, IT, Engineering and Business Management will participate from various cities of Pakistan.

      10 International students from India (06), Bangladesh (02) & Afghanistan (02)

Program Theme: “Promoting peace, democracy and diversity for a better tomorrow’’

   Democracy in Pakistan: Vision or an Experiment

   This first session of the program will examine the core concepts of democracy and if they have been implemented. The participants will get a chance to analyze why democracy has not been able to function in Pakistan as compared to other countries. Prominent personalities from government and political parties will get a chance to share their perspective regarding the scope of Democracy in Pakistan with emphasis on the role youth needs to play in promoting democracy in Pakistan.

Role of Youth in Citizen Service

This session will provide a chance to several current and former politicians, government officials, media personnel’s, professors and historians to give the youth their thoughts on how youth activism can be shaped in a positive and sustainable mass-based march toward change in Pakistan. Also emphasizing on the role youth need to play in promoting peace, democracy,  freedom of media, rights of children,  gender equality as well as combatting HIV/Aids and drug abuse in the country.

ICTs (Information & Communication Technologies) Moving ahead– The power of ICTs as the driver and ensurer of delivering development to the remotest of places is recognized today. As the youth takes charge of the IT and ITES sectors, it may be interesting to watch what lies in store.

Exploring New Horizons (Career Choices)

It will serve as an opportunity for the youth to explore the various prospects and possibilities of studying in Foreign Institutes and Universities for undergrad, grad, summer institutes or other short term programs. Former Exchange program alumni will share their experiences of participating in various such exchange programs right from getting selected and the impacts of the program participation and their achievements after their return.

This program will also provide a chance to various companies to provide career choices to the participants and the requirements and criteria for acquiring suitable jobs. 

Youth Volunteering and Community Service: Day-3 will focus on the need for youth to demonstrate active participation in volunteering and community service. The day will begin with an introduction to Youth Volunteering and Community Service following day long community service activities for participating students in various towns of Karachi in groups at places such as S.I.U.T., Darul Sukoon, Azad Foundation and The Citizens Foundation. These activities will encourage the youth to come forward and help their respective communities on their return by continuing to render voluntary services for community development.

Accomplishments & Obstacles: The accomplishment of the program will highly depend upon the increase in the number of individuals influenced by the motivators (forum participants) to work for peace and stability in the country. The achievement of the goals will be followed via research data collected during the course of a year’s time.  The major obstacle is foreseen in continuous follow up with the participants of the program. However this will be overcome through continuous communication with the participating students by the organizers.