The Next Generation Task Force convened by the British Council in Pakistan launched its latest Next Generation report, Next Generation: Insecure Lives, Untold Stories in Lahore at an international conference. Ayesha Taslim attended as DSF representative.
At the launch of the report, which seeks to understand how conflict and violence shapes the lives of young Pakistanis, in attendance were youth from Northern Ireland in the UK, Burma, the Philippines, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and several other nations who have also confronted the legacy of conflict, violent crime, and domestic violence.
The report shows that violence is a binding constraint to realizing the potential of Pakistan’s young people – not just political violence, but criminal and domestic violence – starve young people of opportunities and make it harder for Pakistan to benefit from the demographic dividend that could transform its future. It is the first to systematically document 1800 stories gathered from across the country.
In the panel discussions the international experts highlighted the problems faced by youth. Education was considered to be the key solution. During the question answer session Ayesha Taslim raised the concern of lack of educational facilities in the developing countries especially for youth in the rural areas. She invited the comments of the experts as to how the young people move forward in situations where the corrupt political system and lack of sincere leadership discourages the youth. The experts emphasized that in such situations civil society institutions may come forward to organize the youth groups at local level.
The students of Lahore University College arranged an exhibition highlighting social responsibilities of youth.
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