The 74th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on June 28, 2019, on the theme of “Youth as Peacebuilders”.
The show attempted to highlight the role of youth in peacebuilding and discussed how youth can work as catalysts for educating the society in the peace perspectives.
The first guest on show, Mr. Ubaid Safi, a student of the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar and Ulasi Taroon Alumni, noted that only the community which has been a victim of a conflict can better understand the precious value of peace and its true importance. The youth of a society serves as its backbone, and an asset critical to development. It is such a group that comprises agents of change who have infinite potential, talents, energies and enthusiasm to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
The most essential prerequisites for social peace and cohesion are rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions and equal citizenry, as these core values – enshrined in the constitution – are the primary ingredients of any peaceful society. Youth must be educated in these ideals of peace to encourage them respect diversity and plan shared goals through unity and understanding.
Ulasi Taroon initiative must be taken to the rural and remote areas particularly the merged districts so that the youth in these areas get equal opportunities to be sensitized on these core themes.
The second guest in the show Mr. Altamash, a student of the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar was of the view that youth is the agent for positive change in the society. The social evolution and modernization result in progressive thoughts and ideas among the society especially the youth and make them catalysts for change. This impact become much more crucial in the countries like Pakistan where the total population of the country is comprised of over 60 percent young populace. Youth must be equipped with the intellectual tools to delegitimize the extremist ideologies and promote peace perspectives within their respective social and professional spheres and contribute to communal development.
Being the major and most active users of social media, the youth has great leverage to use this platform for social cohesion. The platform provided by CRSS; Ulasi Taroon helped us grow and prompted us to think over different aspects of peace and conflict.
The third guest on show, Ms. Anila, a student of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar said that youth is the most precious human capital and asset of any country. As future leaders, they must develop critical thinking skills to effectively participate in the decision making processes.
Women must be empowered especially in the patriarchal societies through education and knowledge about the rights available to them in the constitution. Suppressing their legitimate voices will only lead to conflict.
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.