The 60th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on March 15, 2019, on the theme of “Youth Development” to discuss their role in the social cohesion, and opportunities and challenges.
The first guest in studio, Mr. Najiullah Khattak, the founder of Youth Development Commission, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), noted that youth constitutes around 57 percent of Pakistan’s total population. Such a significant percentage of youth means a great opportunity for the development of country. Besides all other social, economic and political issues of national concern, the state should also focus on the youth development. It is extremely important to educate the youth with quality education, help them develop a collective vision and provide opportunities to channelize their talent in the national development. We must sensitize them in the ideals of equality, acceptance and rule of law and orient them with the core constitutional values as a measure of social cohesion and peace. Youth capacity building programmes to expose them to the new cultures can do wonders in broadening their vision for peaceful coexistence.
The second guest in studio, Ms. Aisha Yousafzai said that state needs to look into and allocate resources for youth leadership development as well as equip them with the skills relevant to the contemporary market needs. The youth in Pakistan is very talented, they just need opportunities to learn, excel, grow and play their role in the community development.
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.