On Sunday, June 14, 2015, the Center for Research and Security Studies concluded its three-day training and capacity building exercise with selected youth of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) province. The youth, selected from universities and colleges in the cities of Peshhawar, Charsadda and Nowshera, were pre-selected through recommendations of their educational institutions for displaying leadership qualities in need of grooming. Between June 12 and 14, 2015, 62 youths travelled to Peshawar to participate in the first round of training exercises.
The first round comprised of three distinct topics, including “Leadership and Motivation”, “Democracy, Governance and Accountability”, and “Civic Engagement”. Students underwent extensive training with renowned and well-established trainers in these respective fields, complete with group activities, internal competitions and dialogue. CRSS hopes that by training these youth in critical life skills and helping them perpetuate this knowledge forward, we can create a movement for tolerant, peaceful resolution of indigenous conflict, inculcate respect for diversity and rule of law, and sensitize youth to respect the opinions different from their own. This initiative subscribes to the larger philosophy of mitigating and eliminating conflict in the region through peaceful mechanisms.
Former Information Minister for the KP Mian Iftikhar Hussain also addressed the youth during the closing ceremony of the training. He said that youth need to aspire to do bigger, better things, and in order to become the leaders of tomorrow, they must show patience, respect, plurality and inclusiveness today.
The next round of trainings is slated for after the holy month of Ramazan, and will focus on topics such as “Rule of Law”, “Conflict Prevention and Mitigation” and “Tolerance for Diversity”.
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