The 67th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on May 03, 2019, on the theme of “Social Cohesion and Role of Youth”.
The show aimed at discussing the importance of youth’s role to bolster peace; promoting respect for core constitutional values. Youth makes up a large portion of the overall population and their potential presents itself as a social capital and an opportunity fundamental to a lasting positive change and socio-political and economic development. Youth must be educated in the constitution and abide by its values to contribute to social cohesion, peace and prosperity.
The first guest in studio Mr. Majid Wazir, a student of Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, noted that respect for and compliance with the constitution fosters mutual trust – a fundamental prerequisite for social cohesion – among the citizens and help them feel secure, respected, cooperate with each other and contribute to country’s social capital. The best contribution youth can make in the future of country’s social and democratic stability is to study constitution and promote its compliance in letter and spirit.
It is quite unfortunate that not all the members of youth are able to make their way up to the university level education which is decaying their infinite potential. The youth; especially the educated have a huge onus to propagate the peace and tolerance perspectives.
The second guest in studio, Ms. Mahnoor, a student of Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, opined that we must be the change we want to see and only by reforming ourselves, can society be reformed. The society will become cohesive if all its members fulfil their respective roles and responsibilities. Deviation from constitution increases vulnerability to the push and pull factors of radicalization, therefore, it’s absolutely essential to respect constitution and rule of law.
The third guest in studio, Ms. Bakhti said that the youth must endeavor to explore their hidden potential and put it into action before it decays. As a member of youth, I feel empowered when I share my ideas and thoughts with others. Youth also has a great role in employing positive use of social media to promote social cohesion and it’s an opportunity not to be missed to strengthen the social fabric.
She underpinned the importance of accountability process and underlined the need to uphold this mechanism to make it more indiscriminate and across the board.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.