Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Children as Equal Citizens

The 129th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aired on the subject theme.

The first guest on show Mr. Imran Takar, Child Rights Activist, noted that the fundamental human rights enshrined in the constitution are available to all citizens of the state including children. It is the responsibility of the state to provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years. These are formative years of children and need not to be missed to cultivate their potential for responsible citizenship and future leaders. Child rights violations need to be dealt seriously to create deterrence in the society while different forms of media also need to be utilized effectively for public awareness and cooperation on child rights protection.

The second guest on show Mr. Farman Ullah, a student of FATA University and Ulasi Taroon Alumnus, noted that youth development efforts of civil society like CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon workshops enable the young to participate in the democratic and development processes in the society. Being part of Ulasi Taroon workshops, I was able to learn the importance of acceptance and equality for social cohesion, and that how important the dialogue for peaceful coexistence, especially in a diverse environment.

The third guest on phone, Ms. Valerie Khan, Child Rights Activist, noted that one of the most serious issues concerning the child rights is child marriage which is a curse that needs to be tackled at different levels including social and parliament. Addressing the issues of children requires onboarding women at different levels of society; from grass root to decision making.

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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“For the past nine years, I have been living in Pakistan. Being part of different youth initiatives here has allowed me to witness the incredible warmth and hospitality of the Pakistani people, and how they empathize with young Afghans like me. The Pak-Afghan Youth Peace Initiative by CRSS has helped me realize my potential as a youth and refugee leader. I’m determined to spread the messages of peace and friendship that I am taking away from this fellowship.”

Zainab Saee

Afghan Refugee