Policymaking competition: Stimulating development in neglected regions

Students present policies on issues of health, education, feudal lords and water

LAHORE: With the aim of obtaining abstract knowledge, notions and solutions from students to reduce deprivation among underdeveloped sections, a policymaking competition was held on Tuesday at the University of Lahore.

The event was organised by the Young Development Corps (YDC), a project of the Planning Commission of Pakistan.

While talking to The Express Tribune, YDC Vice-President Ali Amjad said this is the fifth event in a series of seven similar competitions planned to be held all over Pakistan.

He added the policymaking exercise was themed around underprivileged areas of the society where necessities of life are hard to acquire due to numerous impediments offered by the state itself.



“The impediments could be inflation, poor health matters, lack of fundamental education, viciousness of feudal lords, water and sanitation problems, inaccessible justice, among others,” he said.

While addressing the participants, he said YDC believes students could play a major role in abating the issue of inequality in the society. Therefore, he stressed on the need to bring forth a two-way inclusive development process where students could start volunteer recruitment process and teach in specific schools.

“There is [also] a need to develop a poverty-centric policy through initiatives such as providing cheap food outlets to the labourers as well as providing the unemployed and underprivileged with technical education,” he maintained added.

Competing for policy

Five teams comprising three members each from different departments presented their policies and ideas on how youth can contribute, engage and work for the betterment of the community.

The panel of judges included UOL School of Creative Arts Head of Department Ijaz Shahid and UOL Student Affairs Director Ammara Awais.

While giving her remarks, Awais said such activities provide an excellent opportunity for learning as they pave the way for discussion of issues, challenges and problems, but there is a need to come up with more specific and inclusive solutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2016.