Pakistan Scouts commemorates World Youth Skills Day

The event was arranged by Aiming Change for Tomorrow (ACT) in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Pakistan Scouts commemorates World Youth Skills Day at the headquarters of Pakistan Boys Scout Association in Islamabad. It also conducted an orientation session on life skills based education. The session was arranged for male and female scouts from different regions of Pakistan.

The orientation session covered subjects such as involvement of youth, their role in society and how they can become active citizens. The orientation was officially commenced by Sahabzada Sajjad Masood Chishti, Commissioner PBSA. The participants were encouraged to learn life skills and adopt these life skills to bring positive impact in their daily lives as well as personal and professional arenas. The participants were particularly briefed on digital literacy and the five life skills identified by WHO.

On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Ms. Shaza Fatima highlighted the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Program which has helped equip over 400,000 young people across Pakistan. She stated the life skills education is equally necessary along with formal education.

History of Pakistan Scouts

Pakistan Boys Scouts Association was officially founded in 1947 and it has around 750,000 members including male and female scouts.

Director, National Curriculum Council of Pakistan Dr. Mariam Chughtai emphasized on the need to equip the youth with all the skills that help them at different stages of life. She spoke on the importance of digital citizenship and how it is transforming our current world.

International Program Coordinator of UNFPA Mr. Shrutidhar Tripathi spoke on the challenges for youth in Pakistan. He shared that 61% population is entering the workforce and there are very limited employment opportunities for these young people.

The event was held to celebrate the World Youth Skills Day. A number of stakeholders participated in the event to show support to the Pakistani youth. These include members of civil society, representatives from the government organizations and youth representatives from across the country. Director General Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEI) Major General Muhammad Asghar Khan was also present to raise morale of the youth.

Life Skills Based Education

Chairman, Center of Excellence at Allama Iqbal University Mr. Rafique Tahir shared his journey during the incorporation of life skills based education in the national curriculum. He also emphasized that this is one of the most essential component of curriculum.

The speakers discussed aspects of time and stress management amongst the young people as a major challenge. They discussed that a comprehensive approach needs to be adopted to mitigate the challenges of future for the youth.

Director General Planning & Development at NAVTTC Dr. Khalid Mehmood shared that more than 50,000 students have shown interest in data sciences, cybersecurity and graphic designing.

While giving the keynote address, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on SDGs Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam urged the youth to become part of Pakistan Scouts to increase their abilities and explore opportunities of networking, learn about different cultures, explore new places and be an informed person who is fully aware and equipped. She also thanked UNFPA and ACT for their tremendous work by engaging youth in such healthy activities, promoting cultural integration and focusing on skill building of these young people.

Chief Commissioner PBSA Mr. Sarfaraz Qamar Daha stated that they have been focusing on skills building, strengthening of emotional intelligence and enhancing the capacity of its members for several decades.

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While giving the closing remarks, Chief Executive Officer of ACT Mr. Mubashir Banoori shared his organization’s role in incorporation of LSBE in National Training Curriculum of Boy Scouts. He appreciated the government’s role in taking the lead in such development initiatives and hoped that a collaborative approach could result in an exemplary future for the country and its youth.