The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon’s latest episode was about the Harnessing Future Leaders (HFL) program, a youth leadership initiativeby CRSS. The central points of discussion were the importance of youth capacity building projects, role and impact of HFL program to sensitize the selected students about issues that are pre-requisite for social peace and harmony, significance of youth engagement in communities for social causes, promoting peace, and enhancing youth leadership qualities. Furthermore, the program also accentuated the outcome of the youth leadership initiative to boost their confidence, communication, conflict resolutionskills in order to understand rule of law, democracy, governance, and civic engagement.
The program was aired under the theme of “Da Simi Jaaj” (regional review), on Tuesday 29 March, 2016. Two HFL trained students, Mr. Usman Khan, from College of Global Technologies and Information (CGTI), Charsadda, and Ms. Javeria Hinna, from Abdul Wali Khan University, Pabbi campus Nowshehra, participated as guests in the program.
The radio report shared the views of HFL program Manager, trainers, students, and political workers about the importance of the program and the impact of youth capacity building trainings. Mr. Safi Ullah Gul, senior trainer and journalist, said,“HFL was a tremendous opportunity for the students. We taught them rule of law, tolerance for diversity, conflict resolution, leadership, and motivation. I see a big difference in their attitudes and behavior towards social causes now. Before the training most of them were not aware about the terms like democracy, governance, rule of law, civic engagement, etc.”
Mr. Mustafa Malik, Program Manager CRSS, said,“This youth leadership initiative of CRSS was focused on building and enhanceing students knowledge and understanding about rule of law, democracy, governance, leadership, rights and responsibilities, interfaith harmony, and tolerance for diversity. Moreover, the project focused to enhance the selected students skills and helped them to articulate their views about community issues. CRSS has accomplished several youth leadership initiatives before and is planning such endevours in future too.
Ms. Shafaq Saba, a student of University of Peshawar, said,“Now, I am a good leader only due to the HFL program. This program enhanced my confidence and leadership skills. It provided me an opportunity to network with the students of other institutions. Our university curriculum is very limited, which needs to be changed, and should include social issues as part of the curriculum. I am planning to multiply my learning via organizing awareness sessions in my host institution and community.”
Ms. Maryam Izhar, a student of Abasyn University Peshawar, said, “This one year program proved to be more effective than my entire study. I got an exposure to go out of my institution. Being a female, I was confined to my university and studies, but fortunately HFL gave me an insight to the outside world. This opportunity was indeed a tremendousone. I am thankful to CRSS for this.”
Ms. Shagufta Malik, political worker and Ex- MPA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said, “Most of our youth are lacking political awareness. I appreciate the CRSS initiative that has raised political awareness among the selected youth. While listening and talking to them, I notice a major difference. They are more committed to social cause which is what we expect from our young generation.”
Two live callers took part in the show. They appreciated the CRSS youth leader initiative and urged the government to focus on enhancing youth capacities with respect to peace building and tolerance.
Mr. Ijaz Khan, one of the caller on the show, said, “The youth of our region is restricted to their course work. Few of them get an opportunity for exposure in the outside world. Our government and civil society should focus in engaging our youth in peace building process and inculcate in them tolerance for diversity.”
Mr. Faheem Khan, the other caller said, “We are facing a lot of problems. It will not be possible for the government to focus on every issue. Instead of this, the government should train our youth to play their role in resolving community issues that will ultimatelyresult in a prosperous Pakistan”.
Mr. Usman Khan, student of CGTI, Charsadda said, “I have seen a paradigm shift in my personality after attending the HFL trainings. Now, I look at things with a different perspective. I handle everything with a different angle than a common man and always keep in mind a social cause.”
Ms. Javeria Hinna, student of AWKU, Pabbi campus said, “I belong to district Nowshehra, where, in rural areas, women are only confined to handle household chores. While HFL gave me an exposure about so many other roles women can play in a society. I have started to multiply my learning through group discussions and soon I will start formal sessions on empowering women with their basic rights.”