The 99th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on December 20, 2019, on the topic of “Youth Development and Social Cohesion”.
The guests were of the view that youth development should be fathomed and treated as the most urgent priority for national development.
The first guest on show, Dr. Khursheed Ahmed from the Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar, noted that there is a huge onus on the educational institutions to sensitize the youth on the values key to social cohesion and not just the formal education. This will enable the young people to channelize their potential into the national socio-political life. There is also a dire need to equip the young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to articulate their views on the issues of concern and effectively participate in the dialogue processes. Given their tremendous potential, the state should provide opportunities to youth that are not only important for them to prosper and thrive but also for their contribution in the development of the country. Civil society is making the biggest contribution to promote the ideals of social cohesion but the country needs more of similar conscious efforts from other stakeholders as well.
The second guest on show, Ms. Farishta Noor, a student of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Peshawar, opined that while we talk about the concepts of diversity, human rights and social cohesion but hardly do we see them in practice. Post participation in the CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon workshops, we came to know that the constitution of Pakistan is very inclusive in nature, considerate of the needs of its diverse society and provides equal rights to all without any discrimination. It’s about time that the social cohesion perspectives are incorporated in the educational curricula as a more systemic youth development mechanism.
The third guest on show, Ms. Mehwish, a student of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Peshawar, noted that educating youth on the democratic values can bring an exceptionally positive attitudinal and behavioral change in them. Only through such constitutional education, can we expect responsible citizenry from the youth.
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 strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful co-existence.