The 134th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aired on the subject theme.
The first guest on show, Mr. Avinash Das, a volunteer for United Nations Youth Programme, noted that there are millions of volunteers around the world who work in extreme conditions without complaining or demanding any recognition for their work because what drives them is their purpose so selfless and vision considerate of not only their personal development but the broader communal development needs. Volunteerism is about offering your precious time and skills for the benefit of other people and to uplift marginalized groups. More appropriately, it is the passion that leads to internal and external peace.
Volunteerism is a pivotal aspect of social cohesion because volunteers assist people and organizations without any discrimination and regardless of their caste, creed, religion, gender, age, etc.
The second guest on show, Ms. Ayesha, CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon Alumna and a student of Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST), said that volunteerism is one of the best ways how we can pay back to our society, where it can also be termed as the culmination of responsible citizenship.
The third guest on show, Dr. Abrar Khan, a faculty member of the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar, noted that educational institutions can provide the best platform to teach the young on how to contribute to society as an individual. Volunteerism helps youth to positively channelize their energy into the development processes and promote the messaging key to peace.
Engagement of youth in the communal development process can help build their skills as future leaders, and not only help them thrive but the entire society. Educational institutions, especially schools, should include volunteer activities as part of their curriculum to encourage the spirit of social work in their students and increase tolerance.
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.