federal government devolved youth affairs ministry to provinces last
year, envisages creation of enabling environment for youth which could
help actualise the potential of this precious human resource in a
constructive way.
The government has also started involving all stakeholders,
particularly civil society representatives, so as to get their
feedback in order to evolve a strategy on the youth through
participatory method.
In the draft made available to Dawn, the department of information,
culture and youth has defined youth as a period during which a person
prepares himself/herself to be an active and fully responsible member
of the society.
It appreciates inclusion of 18-year olds in voters' list, saying this
had brought them in the mainstream of national life and
"showed the faith of the nation in the capabilities of youth in
determining its destiny".
The policy draft says the youth should be provided means and
environment in which this invaluable human resource attains the
optimal growth potential, equipped with the requisite character
building and motivation to participate in the mainstream practical
life. It considers unemployment, lack of guidance and vocational
training opportunities, decline in moral values, increasing violence,
absence of health counseling, awareness, recreational and sports
facilities, drug abuse and limited support to academic excellence and
merit etc as major challenges being faced by the youth.
According to the draft, the government plans to launch various
programmes to create awareness and sense of pride among youth. It also
wants character building, national integration, promotion of sports
and recreation, academic and intellectual development, enabling
employment, skill development, entrepreneurship through such
programmes.
The draft says that the government under an action plan aims at
creating a youth centric environment by integrating and coordinating
the programmes of various departments and institutions.
Under the action plan it proposes arranging discussions, meetings,
conventions etc, preparation of documentaries and
dissemination of useful information through media, educational
institutions and other communication channels. The plan includes
highlighting achievements of national heroes, arranging national and
international visits for youth to monuments, museums, cities of
historical importance, world renowned facilities, universities etc.
For the character building of the youth the draft seeks propagation of
Islamic values, ideology of Pakistan, norms of good citizenship and
human values. It also plans to conduct media programmes and talk
shows, competitions and discussions involving the youth and elders,
besides making films, dramas, advertisements and documentaries
containing moral lessons for youngsters.
The draft also seeks arrangement of internships, on-campus jobs and
job placements for the youth, besides establishing a 'Punjab Youth
Council' and a 'Punjab Youth Fund' for various youth-related
activities.
It acknowledges role of youth in the creation of Pakistan and expects
that the young people will continue to be "vibrant, active and eager"
to contribute their due share in the progress and prosperity of the
nation.
"We have held a grand consultative meeting with various national and
international non-governmental organisations and funding agencies,
civil society representatives, government departments and others
concerned bodies and they have
mentioned various areas in health, education, environment, employment
and other issues missing in the policy draft," Maqbool Malick,
Information, Culture and Youth Affairs department's deputy secretary
told Dawn.
He said the participants representing South Asia Partnership (SAP)-
Pakistan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), British
Council, Plan International, Shirkat Gah, Aurat Foundation and others
urged the government to finalise the
policy by involving all stakeholders, particularly youth
representatives.
Visit: http://punjabyouthpolicy.pk/
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