The 81st radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on August 16, 2019, on the theme of “Ideals of Social Cohesion”.
The program emphasized on the provision of equal rights to the citizens, awareness of and acceptance for diversity, inclusive democracy and rule of law as fundamental ideals of social cohesion.
The first guest on show, Mr. Nangiyal Azam Khan, a public administration student and one of the Ulasi Taroon Alumni, said that social cohesion is social bond between the people living together in a society and a social fabric that binds them together. There are some fundamental elements that are involved in establishment and sustainment of social cohesion in a society.
A cooperative relationship established between the individuals of the society is the first and foremost element and essentiality for social cohesion, however, that varies across different cultures and societies. The role of social actors, change agents and leaders is the most important element to bring cohesion in the society, where firmness of character is a necessary quality of the leader.
All the citizens must have awareness about their rights enshrined in the constitution as human rights education can greatly decrease the vulnerability of citizens against the human rights abuses. The institutional reformation is also an outcome of the collective public pressure mobilized by the constitutionally learned citizens.
The constitution of Pakistan provides equal rights to all the citizens regardless of their religious, social, economic or political backgrounds and proper implementation of such constitutional provisions is absolutely essential to counter and prevent extremism in the society.
Social media has an incredible potential to drive social change among the society and can prompt the masses into responsible citizenship given its true power leveraged. Same is the case with educational institutions which can prepare a cadre of youth leaders cognizant of the criticality of their roles in nation-building.
The second guest on show, Ms. Momina Afridi added that respect for and celebration of diversity is the fundamental requirement to bring cohesion and peace in the society. People are getting increasingly aware and educated about the importance of such ideals and such a change can be attributed to interventions like Ulasi Taroon.
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 fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.