News & Events Event Reports

Enhancing Cooperation Between Youth and Local Policy-Makers in Pakistan: Youth Roundtables in Lahore and Karachi

Publication Date:

23/05/2024

Content Type:

Event Reports

Share:

Tags:

HIVE PakistaninclusivityKarachiLahorePakistanPolicy RoundtablesPunjabSindhYoung CitiesYouth Fellows

— 2 minutes reading time

Event Details

Description: The Strong Cities Network convened Policy Roundtables in two of Pakistan’s urban centres, Lahore and Karachi, bringing together 35 participants, including youth peacebuilders, provincial- and municipal government representatives and local civil society leaders to promote dialogue between young people and local policy makers.

Where & When: 20 April 2024, Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan

Partners: HIVE Pakistan

Cities Represented:

• Karachi (municipal government)
• Punjab Assembly (provincial government)
• Sindh Assembly (provincial government)

Civil Society Organisations Represented:

• Women Media Centre, Karachi
• Institute of Policy Input and Research, Lahore
• Bargad Organization for Youth Development, Lahore
• Youth Development Foundation, Lahore

Key Takeaways

• Strengthening local governance structures and approaches to inclusive policymaking. There is an urgent need to empower local governments (despite complexities posed by jurisdictional limitations), clarify their roles and responsibilities in relation to provincial and federal actors, and equip them with effective funding mechanisms. Such efforts at the local level have the potential to build a foundation for more robust civic education and awareness in communities, and avenues for young people to better engage in local political processes through student union representation and other forums. Cross-sectoral and societal consultations by government agencies and departments were also endorsed as key to inclusive policy-making processes

• Addressing structural implementation challenges impacting public service provisions. Several opportunities are available to strengthen implementation mechanisms for key public services to ensure they are accessible and provide high-quality support across different social groups. Specific focus was given to improving education, healthcare and public recreational spaces that contribute to local ownership, well-being and resilience within cities. Notably, reviewing budget allocations, supporting multistakeholder approaches, exploring public-private partnerships and employing data-driven policy-making practices were identified as potential solutions. There was also recognition of the need to revisit and strengthen existing mechanisms and tools developed by government agencies.

• Prioritising community safety and protection of vulnerable groups. Providing targeted support to groups experiencing discrimination and exclusion requires strengthening coordination, implementation processes and amendments to key legislation, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Sindh Child Marriage Act. Concerted efforts are also needed to empower and protect women and other gender minorities. The District Women Protection Committee in Karachi can be explored as a good institutional practice in this regard.

Next Steps

The roundtables in Lahore and Karachi were the first policy-focused, youth-government exchanges hosted by Strong Cities in Pakistan. They mark a pivotal step for Strong Cities’ engagement in the country and broader region, paving the way for greater youth-city engagement facilitated by its South Asia Regional Hub and opportunities for cities to benefit from Young Cities’ nine years of youth engagement expertise globally.

Strong Cities will also continue to support 29 Youth Fellows across Karachi and Lahore through the Youth Leadership Fellowship, launched in 2022 to provide training, funding and support to the Youth Fellows to address hate and polarisation in their communities, and establish connections with community leaders and local policy makers to ensure their efforts support the wider ecosystem in their cities. A Future Ambassadors Training and Youth-Policy City Exchange and Showcase will be held the course of the next few months, bringing together Youth Fellows from both cities with select local and national representatives, civil society leaders and international stakeholders; a key opportunity to build local sustainability and for a range of stakeholders to meet with active young people and explore youth priorities, approaches and activities.

Additional Resources

• Young Cities: A Practical Guide to Youth Capacity Building for Countering Hate and Extremism, Strong Cities Network, August 2022
• Young Cities Global Booklet, Strong Cities Network, August 2022

News & EVENTS

Stay up to date with recent news, articles and event reports

News & Events

Looking for something in our Resource Hub?

Or explore all resources

Nominated for Best Animated Short at Cannes

Watch now

Join US

Looking to become a Strong City?

Get in touch