|
Pakistan, Britain residents discuss
learning experience
* Programme aims to support
participation of large number of young people
LAHORE: Twenty-two people from Pakistan and Britain, who teamed up
three weeks ago in a bid to make a positive difference in their
communities and learn from each other, talked about their experience
at the British Council on Thursday.
The programme was held under the British Council’s Community Xchange
project of its Active Citizens programme, which engages youth to
bring positive social change in society. The programme is aimed at
supporting the participation of large numbers of young people
globally as active citizens. The programme paired 11 government and
voluntary services’ professionals from the UK with Pakistani
lawyers, media professionals, and youth workers to encourage young
people to actively participate in their communities. Members of the
youth parliament of Pakistan, a partner organisation in this
project, were also present on the occasion. The communities involved
were from districts of Rawalpindi, Multan, Sargodha and Narowal in
Pakistan and from Manchester in the UK.
British Council Project Manager Obaid Khan said: “Community Xchange
has successfully developed strong relations between Pakistan and the
UK with its innovative approach to leadership. Participants from
both sides visit each others’ country and gain valuable experience
of social development and governance through meetings with local
MPs, councilors and development workers and return to implement the
newly learned skills in their own countries.”
Steve Longden, a UK participant placed in Multan said: “I have
learned that the real picture of the country is very different from
the one we get to hear (on the news).” staff report
Source.The News International:May 08 2009
|
