The first guest on show, Ms. Shagufta Gul, an educationist and also the lead facilitator for Ulasi Taroon, noted that CRSS, as part of Ulasi Taroon initiative, has successfully employed different tools of engagement – including capacity building workshops, broadcast, print and social media – to educate and aware the youth in the universities across KP on the ideals of peace and cohesion enshrined in the constitution.
The initiative is a conscious effort to prompt the young think critically as to how the citizens are subject to fulfilling different responsibilities besides enjoying entitlement to fundamental rights. Youth should explore their potential for positive social change and development being future leaders, and promote the Ulasi Taroon’s core messages of respect and inclusion.
The role of educational institutions is crucial in this regard. They should incorporate the themes of social cohesion and development in the curricula besides addressing the formal educational needs of the students. The purpose of education is not just about the fulfilling the market needs, but also to be cognizant of and address the needs of a cohesive society.
The second guest on show, Mr. Inam Ullah Khan, a journalist and freelance reporter associated with CRSS, noted that the way CRSS has been promoting the democratic values key to peace and rule of law is exemplary, and bound to inspire more social change initiatives.
The third guest on show, Mr. Idrees Gul, a student and Ulasi Taroon Alumnus, noted that CRSS is providing what the students need the most during their years of education; stimulus to think critically over the concepts key to social cohesion and be responsible citizens cognizant of the diverse needs of their society.
The fourth on show, Mr. Mustafa Malik, Team Leader, Ulasi Taroon, noted that team Ulasi Taroon and CRSS take pride in being able to continue to generate traction around the core themes of Ulasi Taroon despite limitations at the hands of global pandemic. Switching to online conduits of communication helped greatly to continue engagement with the youth on what goes into strengthening social cohesion and their role as future leaders.
He reiterated the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan as a country whose citizens are respectful of its diversity, cooperate with and respect each other, and peacefully coexist despite differences.
Mr. Shams Momand, while hosting the show, shared that social education and development is a collective responsibility where every individual need to actively participate in this process.
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.