Exploring future leaders: youth conference kicks off

Discussions and group exercises mark the first day of the event.

ISLAMABAD:

Aiming to create awareness about socio-economic issues, a three-day youth leadership conference started on Thursday. The event that has been organised by National Institute of Cultural Studies at Lok Virsa, in collaboration with various youth organisations, will cover locals problems and targets to promote personal development among participants.

“We want to create awareness and participation through lectures, group exercises, role plays, discussions and moderated sessions,” said National Institute of Cultural Studies Vice Chancellor Rauf Khalid. Participants comprise students from various schools, young executives, teachers and youth from all over the country.

On the first day, there were back-to-back interactive speeches and discussions on diverse topics, ranging from team building to leadership skills, by personalities such as Secretary Ministry of Housing and Works Kamran Lashari. The youngsters keenly participated in the discussion sessions and expressed their concerns on the state of leadership in the country. The day also consisted of a youth speakers’ slot, where registered youngsters from all over the country, were invited to speak extempore about various issues related to the country.

It concluded with a cultural gala and dinner, where the participants were treated to a concert of local bands, which allowed them to let loose and have some fun. “It was an interesting day, we’ve been encouraged to learn some interesting facts about our country’s culture and leadership values,” said Meher, a student of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation school. A fashion show was also held by the students of National College of Arts. The event was hosted by the National Institute of Cultural Studies at Lok Virsa, in collaboration with various youth organisations.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2011.