Celebrating Compassion: Drama contest held to mark volunteers day

A drama competition was organised by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to mark International Volunteers Day. The contest, titled “Youth as Agent of Behavioral Change” (YABC), attracted students from various colleges and universities including Quaid-i-Azam University, International Islamic University, Bahria University, City School Margalla Campus and Government Postgraduate College, Satellite Town.

The team emerging as victors was City School Margalla Campus Islamabad, whereas Bahria University and International Islamic University came out first and second runner ups, respectively.

The chief guest, PRCS Secretary General, Dr Mahboob Sardar, explained that the theme is about changing minds through ethical leadership and role-modeling the culture of non-violence and peace. To this end, the PRCS under the YABC helps individuals develop and strengthen humanitarian values and personal skills which enable them to translate changes in internal attitude into behavioral change. He also pointed out that the global campaign was a timely reminder and a simple call to assert one’s agency. He appreciated the contestants’ performance and congratulated the winning teams.

In his opening address, PRCS Operations Director Ghulam Muhammad Awan welcomed all the participants and proclaimed that the campaign was a step towards creating awareness among people and developing a culture of volunteerism. He also revealed that the theme is being celebrated by 186 societies for promoting the spirit of volunteerism. “PRCS has laid special emphasis on enlarging its volunteer base and today we are proud to have more than 250,000”     He informed that PRCS has lined up a series of activities including drawing contests, drama competitions and an award ceremony to highlight the campaign, with the participation of nationwide branches, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Shields and certificates were later distributed among participants of the competition by the PRCS Secretary General Dr Mahboob Sardar.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2013.