During the YOUTH WEEK the organization would hold series of seminars and dialogues in various public/private Universities that would end on March 31, 2010 at University of Gujrat.  The focus of the activities would be to mobilize youth for student representation and activism within campuses.

YOUTH WEEK is also a reminder to Prime Minster Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani who in his first speech to the parliament on March 28, 2008 declared to revive student unions, but the government did not make any further progress on it whereas youth and relevant organizations are still motivated to take forward the cause of student representation and politics in a constructive manner to ensure youth activism.

BARGAD further demanded to adopt its code of conduct for student politics that was prepared to institute pro-peace, women-friendly and student-centered politics in campuses in long consultations with ordinary students, leaders, university vice chancellors and faculty members.

The seminar was addressed by Mohammad Tahseen Executive Director SAP-PK, Lahore, Mr Iqbal Haider Butt Senior Partner Development Pool - Lahore, Ms Rudaba Hameed (Head of Psychology Dept,   and Ms Sabiha Shaheen Executive Director BARGAD).

Mr Mohammad Tahseen said that religion is a separate affair from state and politics. We need to introduce a system that ensures equal rights for all and discourage discrimination at all levels. He highlighted the recently passed harassment bill against women and share how young girls can use it as their right to safeguard themselves. He is a staunch advocate of  equal rights among men and women.

Mr Iqbal Haider Butt related democracy with day to day lives of youth and stressed on involvement of youth in collective efforts in a constructive way. He said that diversity of Pakistan demanded that only democracy is a way out to resolve issues in a peaceful manner. He encouraged the students to think why today we have turned otherwise. Why violence and terrorism has become our identity.

Ms Sabiha Shaheen during her address told students about YOUTH WEEK and its significance. The week is a campaign in continuation to Prime Minister’s announcement to uplift student union ban. She highlighted importance of students’ mobilization and activism to contribute at policy level for youth benefit. She related the youth activism with students’ development and uplift of students within campuses through youth friendly policies. She pursued youth to make their voices heard at policy levels. She asked how many of them are aware about approval of Youth Policy in Pakistan and how many of them have read Policy draft available on its website? She asked youth to also recognize their roles and take participatory initiatives. She ended her words by saying that BARGAD is striving to bridge the gaps between youth of Pakistan and policies of Pakistan.

See also the Publication "REVISITING STUDENT POLITICS IN PAKISTAN"

BARGAD - Organization for Youth Development
 
Main Link Road, Near Madni Check Post, Opposite Askari Homes,
Allama Iqbal Town, Rahwali, Gujranwala, Pakistan. 
Ph. +92-55-3864920 Fax. +92-55-3868052
Email: info@bargad.org.pk  Website: http://www.bargad.org.pk/