[discussion_vu] Punjab Envisages Enabling Environment for Youth

Punjab Envisages Enabling Environment for Youth

The draft of Punjab government's first-ever youth policy since the 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.

Please visit :http://punjabyouthpolicy.pk/media.html

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