Pakistan wins big at Asian Development Bank youth competition

Open Discussion Forum, Pakistan has been awarded $,3000

A Pakistani project has secured second place of 40 regional entries at Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s competition on “Citizenship and Governance”.

The Open Discussion Forum, Pakistan (TODF) has been awarded $,3000 for securing second place at Youth For Asia Solutions Search Competition, a statement said.

(L to R) Moderator Alice Chen; Mayor, Municipality of NewLecena Christian Sorongon; Technical Adviser Governance at ADB Gambhir Bhatta; Regional Adviser UNESCO Dr Susan Vize are in a conversation with TODF Founder Shaheera Jalil Albasit. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Now in its fourth year, the first three installments of the competition had awarded projects and ideas in the areas of education, health, and environment.



The TODF focuses on engaging young people at levels of communities in critical dialogue on de-radicalisation, religious tolerance, and gender equality.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

The project is aimed at mainstreaming and institutionalising the Pakistani youth and the Asian region to achieve greater recognition for their socio-political stakes, and achieve a greater engagement of young people in governance and citizen activism.

“It aims at creating the space for youth-led peaceful counter-narratives in the country.”

TODF is now looking to partner with similar local initiatives in Pakistan and launch youth dialogue clusters.