June 13, 2018: The sixteenth radio program as part of Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on April 27, 2018, on the topic of “Social Cohesion as a Shared Responsibility”.
The purpose of discussion was to underscore the importance of compliance with the core constitutional values as a foremost social responsibility for cohesion in the society.
The first guest on show, Dr. Syed Mohammad Ilyas, CEO Paraplegic Centre, Peshawar, noted that education should be the core consideration when it comes to help citizens realize social cohesion as shared social responsibility and to cultivate them in the ideals of social cohesion. Both rights and responsibilities go hand in hand as they are interdependent. A society in order to be cohesive, needs to go through a massive attitudinal and behavioral changes at all levels through improvement in the system of education especially the early education. He added that the societies where the citizens are deprived of their constitutional rights are more vulnerable to intolerant and extremist attitudes. Therefore drawing correlation between rights and duties is a must for increasing tolerance.
The guest on phone, Ms. Rakhshanda Naz, a social activist, was of the view that inconsistency in policies particularly towards human rights and ongoing conflicts are the primary reasons for intolerance. The understanding of constitutional rights and responsibilities has been improving gradually with the positive contributions made by the media and civil society organizations. However, we still have a long way to go to reach the ultimate milestone where both state and individuals have a complete understanding of the constitutional obligations towards each other. This milestone can be achieved through collaboration among state and citizens to uphold social cohesion as a shared social responsibility.
“As an individual we should respect each other’s rights and views. Whatever the differences we may have about social norms and ways of life should be put aside and as a responsible citizen, we should think about social development of our society”, said a student, Abdul Wahab during 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 and FATA 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.