Youth urged to develop ‘behaviour of acceptance’ to foster peace in society
Peshawar – Speakers at a workshop urged youth to develop among themselves ‘behaviour of acceptance’ for others to foster peace to the society amid emerging new codes of citizenship on the globe.
They also called on the youth to choose the path of ‘personal growth’ and ‘personal peace’ as both factors can become agents of change to promote tolerance and inclusiveness in society.
Experts from different areas of interest expressed these views at a two-day national workshop on “Building Bridges: Fostering Tolerance & Inclusivity among Youth”, held in Peshawar.
Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank, organized the event that brought together teachers, students, rights activists and young members of civil society, among others.
Renowned scholar and member of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court (SC) Dr Qibla Ayaz speaking in a session said the concept of ‘constitution, parliament, and citizenship’ was not ideal in Pakistan, but it was fair enough to meet requirements of citizenship. “The Constitution of Pakistan provides equal citizenship to all including minorities and problems prevailing in the society are due to its social structure, not the constitution,” he said.
Senior journalist Rifatullah Orakzai while moderating the session explained the relationship between constitution, parliament, and citizenship.
Professor Dr Rashid Ahmad of the University of Peshawar pointed out various flaws in the present education system of the country. “Our education policy is neither market-oriented nor has been prepared according to demands of the market,” he added. He underlined that youth should be engaged in giving them the right direction and to utilize their potential according to their abilities.
Political activist and lawyer Dileep Doshi conducted an interactive session to explore the history and development of human rights, highlighting their evolution and significance in today’s world. He delved into the concept of human rights and their progression over time, emphasizing the importance of protecting fundamental rights.
Doshi also discussed the responsibility of the state to safeguard human rights, as enshrined in the Constitution. “Human rights are universal and inalienable, and it is essential for individuals to understand and demand their rights,” he said. We can work towards creating a more just and equitable society by promoting awareness and understanding of human rights, he noted.
Journalist and academic Dr Syed Irfan Ashraf speaking in his session on “Blessing in Diversity” said language was the mother of diversity and its other key elements were culture and society. “Diversity is also the name of tolerance,” he said, explaining that diverse cultures, languages and faiths can be protected by raising voice against violence.
Author and motivational speaker Husnain Jamal in his session on “Crafting an Easy Life” discussed how individuals can create a simple and meaningful life for themselves and others. He while giving different global examples advised the youth to be non-violent to bring peace to their lives and ultimately in society.
PIPS President Muhammad Amir Rana in his concluding remarks said human intervention through critical thinking could decrease the chances of faith-based violence and conflict. “Critical thinking doesn’t mean to reject everything altogether, but it is the name of seeing things in a different way,” he noted. He emphasized that the youth should interact with people belonging to different faiths, ethnicities and nationalities for their personal growth, which will bring ‘behaviour of acceptance’ among them.