Summary
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted the second PACE Regional Assembly on June 3, 2017, at Mehran Hotel, Karachi for young university lecturers and professors who were past participants of the Pakistan Center for Excellence (PACE) Collaborative Workshops. The assembly covered the province of Sindh. A week later, on June 10, 2017, CRSS conducted the regional assembly for PACE in Peshawar, covering the regions of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
The objective was to reinforce the themes that were discussed during the past workshops and to learn from the experiences of speakers and participants in the current climate and volatility of Pakistan. The workshop was conducted under the umbrella of the Pakistan Center of Excellence (PACE), a counter-radicalization and pluralistic values focused project, through the generosity of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Experts from various fields including, Mr. Ammad Khaliq, Mr. Safiullah Gul and Mr. Zeeshan Salahuddin discussed two new topics with participants. These topics not only reinforced earlier ideas inculcated in the attendees, but also introduced deeper themes for them to explore with their respective students. Discussions on the efficacy of practicum activities and strategies for incorporating this thinking into the classrooms were also a part of the regional assemblies.
Statistics
The Sindh regional assembly was conducted on June 03, 2017, at Hotel Mehran, Karachi for 15 former beneficiaries of PACE Collaborative Workshops. Participants in Sindh included young lecturers and professors from:
- University of Karachi, Karachi
- University of Sindh, Jamshoro
- Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam
- Isra University, Jamshoro
- Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
The KP-FATA regional assembly was conducted on June 10th, 2017, at Shelton’s Rezidor Hotel, Peshawar for 32 former beneficiaries of PACE Collaborative Workshops. Participants in KP/FATA included young lecturers and professors from:
- CECOS University, Peshawar
- University of Peshawar, Peshawar
- University of Science and Technology, Bannu
- Gomal University, D.I Khan
- Kohat University of Science and Technology, Peshawar
- University of Swat, Mingora
- Hazara University, Mansehra
- University of Swabi, Swabi
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar
- Islamia College University , Peshawar
- University of Malakand, Chakdara
- Haripur University, Haripur
Proceedings
The overall objectives remained the same. CRSS wanted to re-engage with the past beneficiaries in order to reinforce the ideas and concepts previously discussed. Furthermore, these assemblies aim to get feedback on implementing practicum activities. Therefore, the participants were encouraged to share their experiences through constructive feedback. The feedback centered on challenges they encountered in their universities and civil society, while implementing the ideas of equality, diversity and tolerance, as well as the lessons learnt.
Trainers for these events included:
- Safiullah Gul, a suicide attack survivor and Bureau Chief at Dunya News, Peshawar
- Zeeshan Salahuddin, Project Manager, PACE
- Ammad Khaliq, Associate Executive Producer, Current Affairs in Dawn News TV
Mr. Safiullah Gul started his session on communication skills and highlighted major factors essential for good communication. He also talked about the methods of non-verbal communication which relate to gestures, body language, posture, eye contact, appearance and symbols. He explained the often overlooked nonverbal behavior that holds more importance in communication than spoken words.
Mr. Zeeshan Salahuddin and Mr. Ammad Khaliq began the session on conflict management by explaining that not all conflict is bad as it is just a matter of individual perception. A conflict, in essence can be positive or healthy giving individuals a chance to thresh out their preconceived ideas and opinions and this form of interaction can lead to coming up with a logical framework or understanding of a concept in the true spirit of harmony.
Conflicts are a part of life as where ever there are people, emotions vary while communicating. This gives rise to either conflict that can be easily resolved or leads to violence which is definitely not a solution to the answer.
The next PACE regional assemblies are scheduled to be held in Lahore (for Punjab province) and Quetta (for Balochistan province) in July and August respectively.