Policymakers ,youth gathered to celebrates International Youth Day by Oxfam in Pakistan ‘‘Investment in youth contributes for sustainable livelihoods, new markets, decent jobs and a peaceful society”
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad;The Policymakers and young people came together on other day to celebrate the achievements of Pakistani youth and exchange ideas for improving their access to education, health and economic opportunities. Panelists at Oxfam in Pakistan’s national event, organized to mark the International Youth Day, recognized that 131.1 million Pakistanis are under the age of thirty and yet youth continues to be systematically excluded from civic participation and is often unable to access services and opportunities.
Panelists at the event titled ‘Celebrating Youth across Pakistan’ discussed the status of economic and social reforms for young people in the country. The panel included policymakers, academicians, representatives from the government youth affairs departments, entrepreneurs and members of the civil society.
In his welcome remarks, Oxfam in Pakistan Country Director Mohammed Qazilbash Pakistan said working for the rights of young people is a key priority for Oxfam and a consistent feature across its programmes. “Youth are agents of their own future and only by channeling young people’s energy, creativity and talent towards addressing the multiple inequalities they face, will we be able to build a fairer world,” he said.
He reiterated Oxfam’s commitment towards supporting young people, in particular young girls, in becoming leaders and ensuring that their role in Pakistani society and economy is adequately valued and recognized.
Punjab Youth Affairs Department Deputy Secretary Tehmina Habib shed light on youth policies. Discussing the status of economic reforms for youth, entrepreneurs in the panel called for more youth-friendly schemes which can create economic opportunities for young people. “An estimated four million young people enter the workforce each year in Pakistan. It is time we address the barriers that prevent aspiring young entrepreneurs from taking the first step towards entrepreneurship as a career. Promoting entrepreneurship should be an important priority for Pakistan’s economic development,” the panel members discussed.
“Job creation in Pakistan is crucial for sustainability, democracy and peaceful economic growth. Social issues cannot be dealt with, without satisfactorily addressing youth’s meaningful engagement in work – be it jobs, agri-business or entrepreneurship,” stressed civil society representative.
Youth role models addressed the audience on active citizenship and youth leadership. Citing examples from their own lives, they motivated young participants to take charge of their today and harness their potential towards social enterprise, digital innovation and the job market. “Success is a small seed which grows into a huge tree with constant attention and passion”, the young ambassadors stressed.
The event hosted live session “Powered by PechaKucha” on exchanging ideas and featured young social innovators, digital entrepreneurs, human rights activists and entrepreneurs, who shared their ideas, celebrated their successes and learning around various development issues including food security, education, gender equality and entrepreneurship. The session also featured a theater performance on transgender rights and stressed on including young transgender community into mainstream society.
The event was attended by dignitaries, government representatives, policy makers, academia, civil society and young people from all walks of life. Young people attending the event participated enthusiastically by sharing their ideas.
Oxfam thanked all participants and reflected on Oxfam’s advocacy efforts centered on effectively working with national stakeholders to promote youth rights, generate discourse and eventually gather support for youth empowerment in Pakistan.
Oxfam in Pakistan is part of Oxfam international confederation of 19 independent non-governmental organizations across the globe. Oxfam in Pakistan works with young people and women, local communities, civil society and the government to promote social justice and equal rights for all. Oxfam campaigns so that the voices of the vulnerable and marginalized people influence the local and global decisions that affect them.
“Powered by PechaKucha” events are one-off events that are separate from regular city-based PechaKucha Nights, and are usually held as part of festivals and conferences, but can also act as standalone events. These events include presentations that use the PechaKucha 20 images x 20 seconds format. Find out more at PechaKucha.org.