Amid military and civil autocratic rules, weakened economic and governance systems, increasing extremist and militant trends, the majority of Pakistani youth, has become indifferent from the affairs of the country. For a long time in this country the political activities associated with the youth, particularly the students, was considered an evil. It resulted such a youth in the country that have become totally political, unaware of their civil and political rights, different political systems (Politics of Right, Left and Social Democracy), indifferent to the Parliament and its functions and ignorant about the subject and issues like democracy, globalization, global compulsions and international peace and Violations of Peoples’ basic rights.
Youth development as a process that all young people go through on the way to adulthood. As the definition implies, it is a process or journey that automatically involves all of the people around a youth—family and community. A young person will not be able to build essential skills and competencies and be able to feel safe, cared for, valued, useful, and spiritually grounded unless their family and community provide them with the supports and opportunities they need along the way. Thus, youth development is also a process in which family and community must actively participate. As Hugh Price, president of the National Urban League, put it so succinctly in 1998, youth development is “what parents do for their children……on a good day.”
Youth development, then, is a combination of all of the people, places, supports, opportunities and services that most of us inherently understand that young people need to be happy, healthy and successful. Youth development currently exists in a variety of different places, forms and under all sorts of different names.Youth Dialogue Club
The purpose of YDC is to gather the young generation (both males/females) on a platform where they feel free to express themselves. The intention of this youth organization is to create awareness about political, economic, socio-cultural issues of the society and to discover leadership qualities in young generation. At this stage the young girls group share their opinions and judgments on core issues of Pakistan & also trained to make a collective effort to resolve these issues.
As we discussed that A.F is being operated different task/campaign with participation of youth, beside this most of the youth particularly students of different colleges & university who are residing in our community are visited infrequently in our office and intimate us about their community problems & also share their views of political situation.
At this stage A.F is well hoped that number of volunteer youth can be increased by conducting referral system or links with other supporting organization of A.F who are already working on youth development.
Orientation Meeting on findings
1) Introduction of Aaghaz Foundation and its achievements
2) Short Briefing on Citizens Voice Project (CVP) and its major objectives
3) Orientation about survey findings
The proceeding of meeting initiate with the name of Allah who is most bountiful, beneficial and merciful then the participants introduce themselves one by one and after that all District coordinator introduce yourself and shortly explain the objectives , Core Values and Working of Aaghaz Foundation. After that briefed the participants about the citizen’s voice project and its different aspects including major Community Mobilization tools (Advocacy), area of work, stakeholders of electoral system, electoral reforms and duration of project. After short introduction participants also share their knowledge watch in society about electoral reforms and election procedure. District coordinators shared the report of survey with all the participants’ survey held in Novembers in district Chiniot Jhang and Faisalabad . District coordinators give briefing on survey reports and its results. All the participants read the report and discussed all the finding one by one. After reading the report all DERG members give suggestions on report. Then we make groups for drafting charter of demand. Each group select on member for giving presentation and reasons why they highlight the issue why they want to being the part of the charter of demand. Total groups are 9.All the groups give presentation on their draft of charter. All the members shows their interest in making charter of demand. Total participants in the meeting was 45.
Universities seminar on Electoral Reforms
• To determine the initiatives of CVP,ECP & Implementing Partners about Electoral Reforms with youth
• To know about the existing knowledge of Young generation about the election process
• To discuss the major issues of common citizen about National Identity cards (NICs) application and registration process
• To examine the youth vision about Positive electoral reforms in Pakistan
• To get the possible recommendation with inclusion of young generation doctrine about the need electoral reforms
2. Proceedings of event
Public Seminar is the sticky and crispy portion of this project which conducted in the district of Citizen Voice Project entitled “Advocacy Campaign for Electoral Reforms” envisaged to Aaghaz Foundation (AF).
In the month of December Asghaz Foundation conducted Public Seminar detail is giving below.
Sr# Name of Event Venue District Date Staff Name participated Male Female Total
2 Public Seminar Government College University Faisalabad 15-12-15 Nusrat –Waqar-Wasif 34 21 55
Youth is an ornament of each society which has to be on boarded and took the responsibilities of the future. Youth is considering centered on the globe even in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). So in the Citizen Voice Project (CVP) under the title of “Advocacy Campaign of Electoral Reform” youth included as its major component as Youth Volunteers (YVs). A competent young individual identified and trained with systematic way and engaged in the successfully completion of project. In the light of this youth engagement public seminar conducted in colleges Chiniot The main objective of the activity was to share exchange & discuss the election process, public issues and youth vision to tackle with it.
Complete sequence of Public Seminar organized by concerning district coordinator (DC) under the project jurisdiction assigned to Aaghaz Foundation (AF). In district Faisalabad Mr.Nustrat, played their key role in organizing and ensuring the maximum junction of youth considering age, sex and cultural variation. The public seminar started with reciting of Holy Quran. After that district coordinator deliberated formally introduction of project and Aaghaz foundation including its team member. As the seminar was conducted in educational institutions so there was about 55-60 participants on average. Project team welcomed & on boarded while district coordinator highlighted project’s importance and need with current election system. They also discussed in detailed about the major components of project which were Youth Volunteers and District Electoral Reforms Groups (DERGs) visualize .In Public Seminar youth were the main focus of project staff considering them further generation responsible.
Project staff especially District coordinator respective district talked about the role of Youth Volunteers &DERGs Members in electoral reforms process and also elaborated to audience about its Objectives.In the Public Seminar organized at District Faisalabad Project Coordinator Mr.Wasif Bashir also participated in all Public Seminar. He shared the overall project objectives, Components and project activities in detail after a short introduction of Aaghaz Foundation, its goals, Achievements and major working areas. Attendance sheets were circulated and IEC Material i-e Brushers containing recommendation of Free & Fare Election network (FAFEN) distributed to every participant.
in the Public Seminar project staff also briefed in detail to participants about the citizen’s voice project and its different aspects including major Community Mobilization tools (Advocacy), area of work, stakeholders of electoral system, electoral reforms and duration of project. In all the forums majority of participants also share their knowledge about electoral reforms, their issues regarding voter list, polling stations, delimitation of area & election procedure. Participants of the Public Seminar really took their interest in election process and information which provided during discussions sessions.
Project staff discussed to youth & participants of seminar about the fundamental issues faced by them. Young students and Participants highlighted & shared all the potential bundle of problems currently existing in the local culture about the CNIC and registering of Votes and polling process. The project staff shared all the possible easiest way and its steps for registration of NIC CARD, the documents require for that and whole procedure step by step in detail for the convenient of local communities& youth provided by NADRA. It was very interesting that almost in all the seminar participants took keen interest in the project initiatives and issues raised by audience and highlighted and also answered by project staff. Youth also discussed about existing system of NADRA &complication for obtaining CINIC whiles their vision to resolve the issues. Participants also highlighted that there are just few NADRA office working in each town level and it is fully overloaded all the time. They also suggested making the obtaining of CNIC Card very easy and approachable to all without any discrimination by NADRA on door step of all the eligible voter and card holder.
Youth volunteers which are key part o this project played very vital role in all the Public Seminar especially in organizing activities, dissemination of IEC Materials and attendance sheets. Local communities’ members also encouraged of participation of youth volunteers in such as activities taking them as a future responsible. In addition DERGs members also play key role in all the activities on gender balance. They also share the tricky experiences about the role, responsibilities and vision about this project and its impacts on perception & awareness of local communities and youth.
In the Public Seminars participants asked some questions related to procedure of eligibility of voter, developing voter lists, delimitation process and polling system including results dissemination. The project staff of concerning district answered all the questions and also guide to participants for visiting their NADRA-ECP offices in each district level for rectifying the issues faced by them. DERGs members also shared and exchanged the fundamental issues especially related to women, their CNIC, Votes and pooling stations. While answering to them District Coordinator also demonstrated that their department with the support of Free & Fare Election network (FAFEN) working for the reformation of existing electoral system.
All the Youth members, young students, staff member and senior citizen being participants of these activities encourage and acknowledge the good ECP, CVP & Implementing Partners to take young generation on board for this historic and positive development for good governance through electoral reforms in Pakistan.Young students of college shared their prevailing disappointment on the government departments due to huge organized corruption in all the institutions. Furthermore they shared their vision how youth perceives the existing electoral system? They told that there are not election in Pakistan but just preliminary selected by power & interest group.They suggest and recommended that positive change from individual so we had to change ourselves first instead focusing on the stars and big change. We have to empower young generation & local communities which need optimum level awareness and advocacy. In this light they also appreciate the positive step of CVP for engaging youth in their project and considered it a first step in good governance and electoral reforms.
Youth considering themselves as a responsibilities holder &participants of the seminar encouraged massively the initiative & this project and also described that it’s good for the sharing, educating young generation &general public about the electoral process and possible reforms. Young participants also declared that they will share and all these information in their local communities with common people as rain bow. They also expressed their hope that in the continuity of these initiativesin next general election 2017-18, election system will be well organized& transparent way. Most of participants also acknowledged and appreciated to ECP, NADRA and Aaghaz Foundation for their kind contribution providing such as seminar to discuss and find way forward for their issues in friendly way with inclusion of young generation. At the end most of the participants are willing to participate in an effective way for smooth implementation of CVP project in district for whole project duration .Project staff members thanks to all the participants for their timing to be part of the activity and also serve them with some refreshments.
3. Major Achievements
I. This was a best way to share & exchangement of knowledge and information about good governance and electoral reforms in Pakistan which appreciated at all level
II. Its played positive role in highlighting the fundamental issue of election, pollings and delimitation process
III. It also highlight the power and potential o f youth for positive development
IV. Young generation also share their vision how to restore & develop the transparent electoral system.
V. Participants also provided some suggestion and recommendation for resolving their issues with the concerning department’s representatives instead of visiting their offices.
VI. The group of Public Seminar Participants committed to share their lesson learnt with other community members and will also participate in upcoming all the forums like this.
Colleges seminar on Electoral Refomrs
Aaghaz Foundation conduct 3 Public forums at 3 districts .The main Purpose of Events are• To determine the initiatives of CVP,ECP & Implementing Partners about Electoral Reforms with youth
• To know about the existing knowledge of Young generation about the election process
• To discuss the major issues of common citizen about National Identity cards (NICs) application and registration process
• To examine the youth vision about Positive electoral reforms in Pakistan
• To get the possible recommendation with inclusion of young generation doctrine about the need electoral reforms
2. Proceedings of event
Public Seminars are the sticky and crispy portion of this project which conducted in all three districts of Citizen Voice Project entitled “Advocacy Campaign for Electoral Reforms” envisaged to Aaghaz Foundation (AF). In the month of December almost 6 Public Seminars conducted while two in each district and detail of each is giving below.
Sr# Name of Event Venue District Date Staff Name participated Male Female Total
1 Public Seminar I Cone College for Women Chiniot Chiniot 14-12-15 Waqar-Wasif 3 64 68
3 Public Seminar University of Agriculture Faisalabad Faisalabad 17-12-15 Nusrat –Waqar-Wasif 14 54 68
5 Public Seminar Safia Polytechnic Institute,Jhang Jhang 21-12-15 Mr.Akhlaq 55 0 55
Total Events 3 72 118 190
Youth is an ornament of each society which has to be on boarded and took the responsibilities of the future. Youth is considering centered on the globe even in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). So in the Citizen Voice Project (CVP) under the title of “Advocacy Campaign of Electoral Reform” youth included as its major component as Youth Volunteers (YVs). A competent young individual identified and trained with systematic way and engaged in the successfully completion of project. In the light of this youth engagement public seminars conducted in different colleges, universities of Chiniot, Faisalabad & Jhang.The main objective of these activities was to share exchange & discuss the election process, public issues and youth vision to tackle with it.
Completesequence ofPublic Seminars organized by concerning district coordinator (DC) in each district under the project jurisdiction assigned to Aaghaz Foundation (AF). In district Chiniot Mr. Waqar, Faisalabad Mr.Nustrat& in DisrictJhangMr.Akhlaq played their key role in organizing and ensuring the maximum junction of youth considering age, sex and cultural variation. All the public seminars started with reciting of Holy Quran. After that each district coordinator deliberated formally introduction of project and Aaghaz foundation including its team member in all the districts.As these seminars were conducted in educational institutions so there was about 70-80 participants on average. Project team welcomed & on boarded while each district coordinator highlighted project’s importance and need with current election system. They also discussed in detailed about the major components of project which were Youth Volunteers and District Electoral Reforms Groups (DERGs) visualize at each district.In each Public Seminar youth were the main focus of project staff considering them further generation responsible.
Project staff especially District coordinators of each respective district talked about the role of Youth Volunteers &DERGs Members in electoral reforms process and also elaborated to audience about its Objectives.In all the Public Seminars organized at District Faisalabad and ChiniotProject Coordinator Mr.Wasif Bashir also participated in all Public Seminars. Heshared the overall project objectives, Components and project activities in detail after a short introduction of Aaghaz Foundation, its goals, Achievements and major working areas. Attendance sheets were circulated and IEC Material i-e Brushers containing recommendation of Free & Fare Election network (FAFEN) distributed to every participant.
in all the Public Seminars project staff also briefed in detail to participants about the citizen’s voice project and its different aspects including major Community Mobilization tools (Advocacy), area of work, stakeholders of electoral system, electoral reforms and duration of project. In all the forums majority of participants also share their knowledge about electoral reforms, their issues regarding voter list, polling stations, delimitation of area & election procedure.Participants of the Public Seminars really took their interest in election process and informationwhich provided during discussions sessions.
Project staff discussed to youth & participants of seminars about the fundamental issues faced by them. Young students and Participants highlighted & shared all the potential bundle of problems currently existing in the local culture about the CNIC and registering of Votes and polling process. The project staff sharedall the possible easiest way and its steps for registration of NIC CARD, the documents require for that and whole procedure step by step in detail for the convenient of local communities& youth provided by NADRA. It was very interesting that almost in all the seminarsparticipants took keen interest in the project initiatives and issues raised by audience and highlighted and also answered by project staff. Youth also discussed about existing system of NADRA &complication for obtaining CINIC whiles their vision to resolve the issues. Participants also highlighted that there are just few NADRA office working in each town level and it is fully overloaded all the time.They also suggested making the obtaining of CNIC Card very easy and approachable to all without any discrimination by NADRA on door step of all the eligible voter and card holder.
Youth volunteers which are key part o this projectplayed very vital role in all the Public Seminars especially in organizing activities, dissemination of IEC Materials and attendance sheets. Local communities’ members also encouraged of participation of youth volunteers in such as activities taking them as a future responsible. In addition DERGs members also play key role in all the activities on gender balance. They also share the tricky experiences about the role, responsibilities and vision about this project and its impacts on perception & awareness of local communities and youth.
In some Public Seminars participants asked some questions related to procedure of eligibility of voter, developing voter lists, delimitation process and polling system including results dissemination. The project staff of concerning district answered all the questions and also guide to participants for visiting their NADRA-ECP offices in each district level for rectifying the issues faced by them. DERGs members also shared and exchanged the fundamental issues especially related to women, their CNIC, Votes and pooling stations. While answering to them District Coordinators also demonstrated that their department with the support of Free & Fare Election network (FAFEN) working for the reformation of existing electoral system.
All the Youth members, young students, staff member and senior citizen being participants of these activities encourage and acknowledge the good ECP, CVP & Implementing Partners to take young generation on board for this historic and positive development for good governance through electoral reforms in Pakistan.Young students of universities and colleges shared their prevailing disappointment on the government departments due to huge organized corruption in all the institutions. Furthermore they shared their vision how youth perceives the existing electoral system? They told that there are not election in Pakistan but just preliminary selected by power & interest group.They suggest and recommended that positive change from individual so we had to change ourselves first instead focusing on the stars and big change. We have to empower young generation & local communities which need optimum level awareness and advocacy. In this light they also appreciate the positive step of CVP for engaging youth in their project and considered it a first step in good governance and electoral reforms.
Youth considering themselves as a responsibilities holder &participants of these seminars encouraged massively the initiative & this project and also described that it’s good for the sharing, educating young generation &general public about the electoral process and possible reforms. Young participants also declared that they will share and all these information in their local communities with common people as rain bow. They also expressed their hope that in the continuity of these initiativesin next general election 2017-18, election system will be well organized& transparent way. Most of participants also acknowledged and appreciated to ECP, NADRA and Aaghaz Foundation for their kind contribution providing such as seminars to discuss and find way forward for their issues in friendly way with inclusion of young generation.At the end most of the participants are willing to participate in an effective way for smooth implementation of CVP project in all three districtsfor whole project duration.Project staff members thanks to all the participants for their timing to be part of these activities and also serve them with some refreshments.
3. Major Achievements
I. This was a best way to share & exchangement of knowledge and information about good governance and electoral reforms in Pakistan which appreciated at all level
II. Its played positive role in highlighting the fundamental issue of election, pollings and delimitation process
III. It also highlight the power and potential o f youth for positive development
IV. Young generation also share their vision how to restore & develop the transparent electoral system.
V. Participants also provided some suggestion and recommendation for resolving their issues with the concerning department’s representatives instead of visiting their offices.
VI. Entire groups of Public Seminar’s Participants committed to share their lesson learnt with other community members and will also participate in upcoming all the forums like this.
VII. Every student took the responsibility and will participate in vote casting in future elections
VIII. Students will spread the message of electoral reforms to all other friends, neighbors and family members.
3 days Capacity Building training of Youth on Electoral Reforms
2. Proceedings of event:
This training was started on 16th October while ended on 18th October 2015 at Prince Hotel (Near Main Muhammad Trust Hospital) Faisalabad. In this training almost 31 youth volunteers come &join from different districts namely Faisalabad, Chinot & Jhang with prominent presence of female youth representatives of the most alarming districts of Punjab especially in the context of violence against women. Training was started with reciting of Holy Quran and followed by the introduction of the participants. Zafar Malik , Executive Director , Aaghaz Foundation welcomed all participants and shared the core objectives of the three days capacity building training workshop. Further Wasif Bashir, Project Coordinator briefed about the project and highlighted the core activities under the project. Youth was taken on board about their principal roles & responsibilities around all the aspects of the project. In training it was described in depth about the youth role in public forums, public seminars, district convention, media briefing, interview with District Election Commissioner (DEC), Delimitation officer (DLO) & Political parties. Dr Nazar Abbas Naqvi , Manager Capacity Building , The Asia Foundation cascade knowledge on household interview survey (HHS) forms, its rules and its implementation in the field . On third day a detailed mock exercise was also done in the field where almost all the youth teams made field visits and filled the forms as per the given format and instruction in the session. At the end of the day all the youth volunteers shared their feedback and challenges which they faced in the field during the interview mock exercise conduction.
3. Achievements:
Major achievements of the training were as below:
• Conceptual clarification about the project indicators and process to control the situation
• Orientation of 31 youth volunteers participants regarding Advocacy Campaign on Electoral Reform.
• Youth capacity building on the process, roles & responsibilities of the youth volunteers in the project.
• Youth orientation with questionnaire and team members
• Youth capacity building for conducting interview with DEC, DLO & Political Leaders.
4. Recommendations/feedback of participants/
• Dr Nazar Abbas Naqvi, Manager Capacity Building TAF’s session added remarkable value.
• Household Survey conduction time is challenging because Local Government Election,First Tenure will be held on 31st October 2015 and for survey conduction time remains limited.
