The 80th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on August 09, 2019, on the theme of “Ulasi Taroon at a Glance”.
The first guest on show Mr. Malik Mustafa, Manager Programs, CRSS shared that the Center has been consciously striving to promote fundamental democratic values critical to peace and social cohesion since its inception and recognizes its drive for social changes as its core mandate as a think tank, training and advocacy center. As part its advocacy for a just and equal society, it has undertaken a counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) that aims to cultivate the youth leaders and the society at large in the core constitutional ideals of respect, diversity, acceptance and rule of law; all those democratic ethos that nurture social cohesion.
Research based evidence suggests that many socio-political problems in the country can be easily attributed to the lack of social and political education; especially constitutional education. Human rights education can easily prevent human rights abuses.
There is a tendency among youth to discuss the contemporary problems and make criticisms without being able to identify their critical roles to ameliorate these issues. Ulasi Taroon aims to prompt them think critically of the notion of the better future where they not only just keep complaining of what is missing, demanding what needs to happen but also fathom that an equal onus lies on them for the Pakistan they desire and the responsibilities that they need to undertake for a connected and cohesive future.
Pakistani youth is immensely talented; it only needs opportunities to channelize their infinite potential into national development and Ulasi Taroon aims to precisely hone the skillset required in this regard. Youth across the globe are highly receptive to the diverse ideas which underpins the importance of youth development initiatives like Ulasi Taroon more than ever.
The initiative also sensitives its audiences that rule of law is not the responsibility of state alone but – as the responsible citizenship demands – an equal onus is on the citizens. One of our most significant learning from the youth development experience is that the youth is catalyst for change and just influencing their attitudes for volunteerism and communal development promises their drive for social change.
The second guest on show, Ms. Shagufta Khalique, Program Consultant, CRSS noted that the radio advocacy campaign of Ulasi Taroon has successfully developed its unique niche among the radio audiences who are mostly used to the music entertainment content of the radio. The initiative is strongly anchored in constitutionalism where its uses the core tools of youth leadership development (capacity building workshops) and strategic communication and dissemination (broadcast and print media advocacy) deployed during the intervention.
We talk about peacebuilding approaches, fundamental human rights, acceptance for diversity, rule of law and the fundamentals of democracy. Our objective is to make youth aware of their civic responsibilities and to strengthen the bond between masses and the state.
We run the youth participants through different conflict resolution stages and equip them with the necessary intellectual skills for decision making processes. The programme is aimed at the attitudinal change among its target beneficiaries which is envisaged to be ultimately reflected in their actions oriented for social change.
The third guest on show Mr. Shams Momand, Project Manager, CRSS noted that CRSS has a struck a strategic partnership with Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC); leveraging its massive outreach and footprint across Pakistan for the dissemination of programme’s core values.
The fourth guest on phone, Dr. Jamal Ahmed Chital from University of Peshawar said that it is such a dire need of the hour to develop national understanding of the ingredients of social cohesion and that how they augur wonders for the connected future of the country.
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.