The 44th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on November 23, 2018, on the theme of “Importance of Soft Skills for Youth Development”.
The guests on show, Mr. Fawad Wazir, a student from Political Science Department, University of Peshawar and Mr. Adnan Khan, Department of Journalism, University of Peshawar, were of the views that youth is the future of any nation, and along with academic excellence, their soft skills development can make them a responsible citizens and successful individuals.
Mr. Adnan noted that there is a huge onus on the educational institutions to provide opportunities for soft skills development and inculcate the youth with the tolerance perspectives and values of respect and coexistence. Efforts are direly needed to develop critical thinking among our students at all levels of education, so that they are able to challenge the stereotypes living in the society. This will enable our future leaders to generate critical discourse fundamental to the socio-political progress of the country.
Mr. Fawad said that skills like leadership, tolerance, flexibility and communication can help in achieving social cohesion, capital and inclusion, interfaith harmony and mutual respect in a society. Our curriculum and social structure need to bolster these ideals; providing the opportunities and a conducive environment to the youth to develop and deploy these skills. The cultivation should begin at home where the families should act as a breeding ground for soft skills and responsible citizenship. Furthermore, the role of civil society, media and above all, academia is critical to polish and nurture these soft skills.
The guest on call Mrs. Shagufta, an educationist, emphasized that the students should be encouraged to ask questions to help them think out of the box, be more creative and not just be a memorizing machines.
“In my interaction with students, I have always stressed upon not just confining themselves to the syllabus books for learning and education. We have many duties as citizens of Pakistan including responsible citizenship, respect for others and positive thinking. It is our country and we have a huge responsibility of laying strong foundations for its progressive and connected future. Coming generations will follow our legacy either we do good or bad”, said Mr. Mohammad Tariq, a teacher, during the radio report.
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.