EVENT: ROLE OF YOUTH IN PAKISTAN
The current situation in Pakistan is one that is not dependent on words for a description, because the impact of violence, terrorism and extremism is felt by all citizens in everyday life. For the first time in Pakistan’s history, schools have been targeted, resulting in the closing of educational institutions throughout the country. The current situation thus cannot be understated because its impact is more than that of an all out war, since in a conventional war there are some minimum rules which require the warring parties not to target civilians or civilian infrastructure.
It is unfortunate that there is a severe lack of an in-depth analysis of how we have reached this situation, as only then can we devise a strategy of how to get out of it. What is making matters worse is the fact that our leadership is not taking the nation into confidence to calm them and provide them hope and vision towards a better future. Instead there is only debate where ill-informed participants share their opinions, jump to quick conclusions without proper information and end up blaming others for the current troubles. We have made little progress in being able to educate ourselves on the current situation in discussing the various aspects that have lead us here, and most importantly, have done nothing to come up with a consensus on how to get out of this situation.
With the belief that if the youth around the world can be motivated in a negative way to take part in terrorist activities, then they can also be mobilized to combat such situations, the Institute for Peace and Secular Studies is organizing a day long convention with a goal of educating ourselves of our current situation, discussing the issues and hopefully coming up with a consensus of what, we, the youth of Pakistan should do in this situation.
| Date & Time: | Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 |
| Venue: | Punjabi Complex, Qaddafi Stadium |
| Expected Participants: | 150 youth between age 18 – 35 years |
Details
| Registration: | 9:30-11:00 am | |
| Keynote Address: | History of Terrorism: how did we get to where we are? | 11:00-12.30 pm |
| Moderated Discussion Session | 12:30-1:00 pm | |
| Breakout moderated discussion sessions: (25 participants each) | ||
| LEARN | ||
| — | Effects of Terrorism on society | |
| — | Effects of Terrorism on the economy | |
| COPE | ||
| — | How to cope with Terrorism | |
| — | Role of media in times of terror | |
| COMBAT | ||
| — | Role of religion in combating terrorism | |
| — | Role of culture in combating terrorism | |
| Group Presentations (30 minutes each): | 1:00-1:30 pm | |
| — | Learn | |
| — | Cope | |
| — | Combat | |
| Lunch | 1:30-2:00pm | |
| Writing placards | 2:00-2:30pm | |
| Theatre & Music | 2:30-3:30pm | |
| Conclusion & Press Release | 3:30-4:00pm | |
| Peace Walk: | 4:00-4:30pm | |
| From Qaddafi to Liberty roundabout, followed by a candle light vigil in memory of all those who have fallen prey to terrorist activities. |
