Webinar sheds light on youth role in coping with challenges

A webinar in connection with the celebrations of International Day of Peace was held on Thursday, a press release said.  

Since ‘Shaping Peace Together’ was the day theme this year, the virtual moot focused on youth actions that helped the community come together to fight off Covid-19 in Pakistan.

Teachers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, civil society activists and students from parts of the country joined the webinar moderated by Salma Butt and Natasha Faisal.

More than 50 students from Kinnaird College, Lahore College for Women University, University of Education; Bahauddin Zikriya University; COMSATS, Qurtuba University of Dera Ismail Khan, Swat University,  Abdul Wali Khan University of Mardan, Punjab University and Sargodha University were among the participants.

The speakers shed light on youth role in coping with the challenges like the war on coronavirus and replied to the queries of students. Zoraiz Riaz, the founder of Corona Recovered Warriors (CRW), said the initiative started as a small Facebook group.

Lawmakers Sadia Sohail and Rabia Basri underlined the need for joint efforts to fend off such a pandemic and the role of youth for the cause. Tehmina Habib, a government official from Punjab, laid stress on the importance of peace in Islam and launching a concerted campaign for achieving the goals.

Noor Imran, Program Coordinator Bargad said the peace day is special this year and youth initiatives are more important than ever. Noor stressed harmony is a must to shape up a community having the potential to cope with the challenge like Covid-19 pandemic.

Ashok Kumar, a professor, made a special mention of the role of student societies in promoting student leadership and building community resilience.  Reha Afzal, Head Girl of Lahore College for Women University seconded Ashok Kumar

Zoraiz took the initiative of laying the foundation of CRW to develop a liaison between Covid patients in need of plasma and donors. Though Zoraiz was unsure of its eventual impact when he founded the CRW, the group has become the go-to resource for people. The Punjab governor recognised his service of linking thousands of patients with plasma donors.