As many as 500 young people from across the country are participating in the three-day festival DESIGN: SUNARA NIZAMI/FILE
Young people from across the country got together on Friday to discuss their problems and recommend solutions on the second day of the fourth National Youth Peace Festival held at the Ali Auditorium at the Ali Institute of Education.
As many as 500 young people from across the country are participating in the three-day festival. This year’s theme is One Nation, One Agenda; Democracy and Peace.
The festival has been organised by the Chanan Development Association with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER) and the Karachi Youth Initiative.
A panel discussion titled Diversity in Karachi; A Risk or An Opportunity? was the first of the day’s events.
Several young people Korangi, Lyari and Sultanabad were represented on the panel.
The deliberations were aimed at improving the under understanding of the issues faced by the young people of the areas.
Youth Parliament Chairman Rizwan Jaffar regretted that there was a lack of policy ownership on Karachi by the ruling party. He said this contributed to a trust deficit and widening of the gulf between the people of the city and the government.
Justice Nasira Iqbal stressed the need for political parties to work together for the common good.
She said local administrations should be strengthened. She said strong city administrations provided venues and forums for young people to participate in politics.
MPA Kiran Dar said the views expressed by young people provided an insight into how the political and social situation was being perceived.
She said the deteriorating law and order situation had directly affected the lives of young people.
She said forums like the National Youth Festival helped governments understand the needs of the ordinary people and tended to bridge the communication gap.
Dar said recommendations put forward by the participants would be conveyed to the government to ensure effective steps were taken to restore peace in Karachi.
CDA presented the National Youth Icon award to late Arfa Karim, the youngest Microsoft certified professional, Kiran Khan, the swimmer, and Samina Baig and Mirza Ali Baig who climbed the Mount Everest in May this year.
The awards were followed by a cultural event that featured a theatre performance and music by folk singer Arif Lohar.
The festival will conclude on Saturday (today).
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (3)
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@Dj: MQM and Karma both have one thing in common......you guessed it.
Hahaha people in Lahore discussing about peace in Karachi. We don't need you in Karachi stay out. The only seat N won in Karachi turned out to be a farce just like the party itself.
One Nation, One Agenda; Democracy and Peace.
Excellent theme! These youths are about to bloom and it in incumbent on older generations to provide them space, opportunity, and above all safety so that whole country can smell freshness in air and see their vibrant colors. They must be nourished correctly as tomorrow batten has to be passed on to them. They all are born and raised as Pakistani - above ethnic divide. They are the future and we must respect them and listening to them if we want the same.
I wish conference like this is expanded and closing remarks are given by a non-political icon, or a siting PM.