First Batch of YPAP meets for last day of session

Lahore, December 18; The first batch of Youth Provincial Assembly Punjab met today for the last day of its concluding session in Lahore. Members attended the third and last part of Workshop on Countering Violent Extremism in Punjab. 

Mr. Raheem Ul Haque, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Public Policy & Governance, FC College, Lahore opened the workshop with a brief history of lawyer's movement in order to highlight the role of citizens in bringing social change. He explained that a mobilized movement in collaboration with different state actors could bring forward a social change as witnessed by the lawyer's movement. Activism primarily refers to participatory active role in order to develop and influence standards in society. 

He further explained to Members the significance of a strong bond between the social change and citizen participation. Majority of population in Pakistan comprise youth. But when it comes to a proper forum for youth representation there is no body to voice their demands and views. Similarly, one can argue that in a democracy like ours, Civil Society is extremely weak. It was stressed that institutions need to be strengthened. Local Government needs to be empowered. Only with such changes we can see a strengthened democracy with citizen participation and an influential social change. 

Mr. Raheem Ul Haque explained in detail the strength and weaknesses of countering extremism initiatives using case studies of various physical initiatives. He is also explained the importance of social media in this context. The trainer evaluated both the initiatives submitted by the participants. 

In the afternoon session, members were divided into groups of 5 members each and were given the task of developing their initiatives and also to devise ways and means to achieve these goals. This was followed by a 10 minute presentation and 10 minute Q& A session on the initiatives presented by YPAP Members. 

A dissemination and mutual learning event for the Members of the first batch of YPAP will be facilitated by PILDAT ‪on Saturday December 24, 2016 in Lahore. The purpose of this event is to allow the Members to disseminate the Committee work completed by them during the intense 3-day sessions of the first batch of YPAP. The Members will present their reports to media, CSOs and Legislatures, more importantly to the relevant Standing Committee Chairs in the Punjab Assembly. This initiative will give them space to get their viewpoints and recommendations heard at the higher level and will also give them an opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life. The Members will also be sharing their learning experiences with the guests. 

For further information & details:
Website:   www.ypa-punjab.pk
Email:       ‪info@ypa-punjab.pk
Twitter:     ‪https://twitter.com/YouthPAP
Facebook: ‪https://www.facebook.com/YouthPAP/