Channan Development Association Executive Director Shahzad Khan opened the ceremony and spoke about the aims and objectives behind the conference. He summed up the agenda of the conference in four simple words: “we are the solution!” UNFPA Youth Officer Sadia Ata Mahmood said youth was the most desirable segment of the society to bring about a real change in economic, social and academic conditions of the society. She encouraged the participants to enthusiastically play a role to bring about a change in the world.
Punjab Youth Department Additional Secretary Tahir Raza Hamdani talked about his efforts against dengue virus and its effects on the country from the governmental point of view. IA Rehman said, “The way to the future lies within the youth.” He commented on the problems of Pakistan, discussing peace, illiteracy, riches and poverty. He ended his speech by saying, “Success begins by rejection”.
Asian Youth Demography, Challenges and Opportunities was moderated by UNFPA youth officer. Colonel Aizaz for NAB, Saqib Shahid from Islamic International University and Taranjeet Singh from PTV shared their experiences with the youth. The panellists discussed about individual and team efforts to facilitate the youth and make them realise what they could do for their better personality. Ali Moeen Nawazish, the highest scorer in A-levels, said education was the most important tool to achieve success. Junaid from Call music band said the youth had to be in the forefront to better the society. In the closing session, Punjab Minorities Minister Kamran Michael appreciated the organisers for moving forward with such events, which could bring about a positive change in the depressed society.
The Asian Youth Peace Conference and festival ended on Friday, leaving behind an almost tangible sense of inspiration and enthusiasm for learning by doing. The theme of the first panel discussion of the day was “Extremism, an alarming phenomenon for Asian youth”, in which the panelists discussed the roots of extremism in the modern era. Colonel Aizaz, Ajmal Jami and the khateeb of Badshahi Mosque spoke on the issue with a very special regard for what the youth thought about the origins of and the media hype around extremism, and what role the religious leaders had been playing in promoting or curbing extremism among the youth of the nation. Singer Abrar-ul-Haq, the chief guest of the closing ceremony, spoke about the importance of the youth’s role in a time of such instability in the country. He shared his experiences in youth development efforts by the youth parliament. He has asked youngsters to try for an assembled and revolutionised society and urged the youth delegates to take away a practical message with them to build a new human being within themselves and to realise their tremendous potential to move on in life. Omair Jalianwala took a short session on a recap of the learning process which delegates had been observing during the three days of the conference and festival. At the end, he arranged a few activities to take up a commitment from the delegates that they would make themselves capable.
For details visit http://www.aycpf2011.org/ or contact Muhammad Shahzad Khan at shahzad@youthpeer.org.pk
