Social Action Projects Awards: Youth from across the country show off their projects
Over 30,000 people have been engaged in the programme.
Awais Ali received great feedback on his work. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
After a year of community service in almost 80 districts across Pakistan, 50 youth groups displayed their work at the British Council’s Active Citizens Programme here on Tuesday. Over 30,000 people from 18 to 30 years of age have been engaged in this leadership programme, which is supported by local civil society organisations.
The annual youth summit, titled “Social Action Projects Awards”, is a British Council initiative to encourage the youth to engage in activities that benefit their communities.
An exhibition was organised showcasing the winning projects.
A British Council representative said that the council’s project officer selects the most impactful projects for award consideration.
Projects from Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were on display covering social issues such as education, basic health services, community dialogue and human rights.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, 24-year-old Mohammad Awais Ali of ‘Eypad’ said that he was very excited to receive an award.
Sitting on his wheelchair next to a stall displaying his work to empower people with disabilities, Ali was very optimistic about his project.
Confident and smiling, Ali said he and his friends have received great appreciation from people for their work, especially for helping to put people with disabilities on the government’s work map. “We have worked hard for the government of Pakistan to realise that we are also worthy of work,” said Ali. We have started working with the Human Rights Ministry and the Directorate of Special Education.
Ali said one of their projects called “Mission Kaam” was meant to create a database of people with disabilities. The project was an eye opener, even for the government.
According to government figures, only 2.47 per cent of Pakistan’s population live with disabilities, but according to their research and evaluation, the figure shot up to 10 per cent. “Due to the increase in terrorism and other factors, the share of Pakistan’s population living with physical or mental disabilities today is on the rise,” said Ali.
Accompanied by 19-year-old Sameer Iqbal, a volunteer at ‘Peace Voice’, he said that instead of always complaining about what the government has not done, people should give back to the community themselves and see the outcome.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim inaugurated the event. He appreciated the efforts of the youngsters and said that Pakistan’s future lies with the young people of today. “They have the potential and energy to direct the country’s future towards prosperity and development,” said Kundi.
The exhibition will continue at Margalla Motel till February 20.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2013.
After a year of community service in almost 80 districts across Pakistan, 50 youth groups displayed their work at the British Council’s Active Citizens Programme here on Tuesday. Over 30,000 people from 18 to 30 years of age have been engaged in this leadership programme, which is supported by local civil society organisations.
The annual youth summit, titled “Social Action Projects Awards”, is a British Council initiative to encourage the youth to engage in activities that benefit their communities.
An exhibition was organised showcasing the winning projects.
A British Council representative said that the council’s project officer selects the most impactful projects for award consideration.
Projects from Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were on display covering social issues such as education, basic health services, community dialogue and human rights.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, 24-year-old Mohammad Awais Ali of ‘Eypad’ said that he was very excited to receive an award.
Sitting on his wheelchair next to a stall displaying his work to empower people with disabilities, Ali was very optimistic about his project.
Confident and smiling, Ali said he and his friends have received great appreciation from people for their work, especially for helping to put people with disabilities on the government’s work map. “We have worked hard for the government of Pakistan to realise that we are also worthy of work,” said Ali. We have started working with the Human Rights Ministry and the Directorate of Special Education.
Ali said one of their projects called “Mission Kaam” was meant to create a database of people with disabilities. The project was an eye opener, even for the government.
According to government figures, only 2.47 per cent of Pakistan’s population live with disabilities, but according to their research and evaluation, the figure shot up to 10 per cent. “Due to the increase in terrorism and other factors, the share of Pakistan’s population living with physical or mental disabilities today is on the rise,” said Ali.
Accompanied by 19-year-old Sameer Iqbal, a volunteer at ‘Peace Voice’, he said that instead of always complaining about what the government has not done, people should give back to the community themselves and see the outcome.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim inaugurated the event. He appreciated the efforts of the youngsters and said that Pakistan’s future lies with the young people of today. “They have the potential and energy to direct the country’s future towards prosperity and development,” said Kundi.
The exhibition will continue at Margalla Motel till February 20.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2013.