The 103rd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on the topic of “Social Cohesion and Role of Civil Society”.
The first guest on show, Mr. Subhan Ali, a social activist from Peshawar, noted that civil society is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Pakistan where it is only attributed to the non- governmental organizational (NGOs). It’s basically a social and public sphere that is located above the domain of family and below the state and includes almost all private-owned media, out-of-government political parties, various non-profit social, political and economic associations of people, institutions and organizations form civil society of a country. The role of civil society is critical not only to democratic development but cardinal in almost all aspects of public life.
Peace cannot be built and extremism cannot be defeated without an all-inclusive strategy that considers and fosters proactive role of civil society. No government can achieve the social cohesion, peace and development goals alone without an active support and cooperation of all and sundry. Therefore, the government should help ease challenges facing civil society of the country as a critical support for citizens’ progress and prosperity.
The second guest on show, Ms. Farah Yousufzai, a social activist, opined that non-governmental organizations are playing a remarkable part in the social peace and development while working in collaboration with the government, which makes their efforts more effective and transparent. A vibrant civil society is key to democracy which promotes respect for human rights, women empowerment and all those fundamental values and provision enshrined in the constitution. Only through such an education, can communities coexist respectfully.
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.