Pakistan Center for Excellence (PACE)

Geographical Focus: Pakistan

Period of Intervention: October 2015 to September 2021

Partner: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Project Summary

Pakistan Center of Excellence (PACE) is a major CVE initiative by CRSS designed to trigger critical thinking through a discourse anchored in fundamental global values such as socio-political diversity, acceptance of diversity, rule of law and equal citizenry, as well as the rights afforded within Pakistan’s Constitution (articles 8-28). This landmark project is running with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The goal of PACE is to create a critical mass of young leaders equipped with critical/analytical skills to critically analyze issues, look at others as equal citizens, correct misperceptions about non-Muslims, and ask questions about their perceived reality. PACE promotes a socio-political discourse – the alternate narrative on democratic rights and responsibilities anchored in the globally accepted and practiced concepts such as rule of law, equal citizenry, secular governance as a primary condition for social cohesion and tolerance for, and acceptance of cultural diversity.

The initiative attempts to reconnect people with the constitution of Pakistan and the fundamental human rights afforded therein (article 8-28). Over 4+ years, hundreds of teachers, and thousands of students have been trained and engaged across a wide variety of PACE interventions.

The cadre of future leaders are sensitized in critical concepts such as:

• Leadership and motivation
• Equal citizenry and respect for rule of law
• Fundamentals of democracy, governance and accountability
• Respect for diversity, opinions and rights
• Rights of minorities and other marginalized groups
• Constitutionalism, and adherence to Pakistan’s Constitution, particularly articles 8-28
• The importance of asking critical questions in the pursuit of knowledge