The eleventh radio program as part of Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on March 16, 2018, on the topic of “Volunteerism and Rule of Law”.
The first guest on show, Mr. Usman Akbar, student of Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, said the Ulasi Taroon Youth Capacity Building Workshops – organized by CRSS – connected them with a very diverse group of students from different universities across KP and helped them realize that many of their challenges were common that required collection action with dialogue at the core. A sustainable peace is only possible with tolerance for diversity, respect for each other’s rights and opinions, and rule of law. Media is the tool of 21st century; it’s an opinion maker which can play a very important role in creating respect for different faiths, strengthening social cohesion and peace-building through positive messaging and dissemination of democratic values. The volunteerism among youth can counter the growing menace of intolerance besides bolstering rule of law in the society. The dream of peaceful Pakistan can come true only with respect for core constitutional values that promote social peace and cohesion.
The second guest on show, Ms. Sheema Zeb, student of Islamia College University, Peshawar was of the opinion that the women in our society faced discrimination on many grounds, they were seen as fragile creatures which reduced space and opportunities for their effective participation in the national socio-political life. The recipe for Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) is celebrating the diversity and accepting the differences. We need a collective vision for Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion), with some small determined steps and a positive attitude at the individual level. Sheema added that they (participating group of students) were highly inspired by Ulasi Taroon Youth Capacity Building Workshops organized by CRSS and stressed that the government shouldn’t be held responsible for rule of law alone but the volunteerism of youth was also essential and equally important.
“The volunteerism is the missing link in the society, it needs to be rediscovered as it’s a very critical element of rule of law”, said Mohammad Ali Babakhail, DIG Operations, KP Police, 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 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.