World Economic Forum: Pakistani student to present case of youth in policymaking

Malik Shaheryar, 21, will be the youngest to attend the forum in India.

ISLAMABAD:

A young man’s efforts to bridge the gap between the youth and economic policymaking have won him a place at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in India.

Malik Shaheryar co-founded the Youth Economic Forum (YEF) in June this year. Now the 21-year-old economics’ student at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) will become the youngest person to attend the WEF.

Over 500 global businesses, government officials and political leaders will attend the forum between November 6 and November 8. WEF is an independent organisation working for the improvement of economic situation in the world by engaging corporations and government agencies.

Shaheryar said he is thrilled to be joined by the likes of leaders such as Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen.

“As the youngest participant, my aim is to convince leaders that the world cannot survive without engaging the youth in policymaking. We can serve as great assets for economic development and will benefit the most from a brighter future,” he said.

YEF Programmes Director Farhan Khalid said the youth forum’s members consulted and decided that Shaheryar will highlight the need for cooperation among South Asian countries, rural investment in India and Pakistan, financial literacy among high school students and inculcating entrepreneurial skills and risk-taking behaviour among students during the event.

Since its inception, YEF has been pursuing economic literacy programmes to promote financial literacy, entrepreneurial development and microfinance awareness.

“Before we can bring about a change, we have to provide the necessary tools to understand social, political and economic nuances to the youth so it can act as an educated change maker,” said Khalid.

The two also talked about Global Shapers Community, WEF’s recent initiative, which actively seeks out social action plans.

After the YEF’s core group members found this opportunity, they presented their project to the curators of the programme in Pakistan, and it was appreciated so much that it was sent to the WEF administration in Geneva.

They are hopeful that once again their work will be appreciated and practically incorporated, bringing the Pakistani youth a step closer to a prosperous future.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2012.