Youth Engagement Services (YES) Network Pakistan

It is true that there is no Youth Service Program of the government of Pakistan. Rather most government authorities confuse youth service with the welfare services needed and desired by the youth. One of our major tasks is to clarify and remove the misconceptions about the concept of Youth Service. For this purpose our volunteers are advocating and working closely with the government and trying to obtain political commitment. Our relationship with the various ministries so far has been very smooth and encouraging. In this context we are aiming to introduce National Youth Service as an integral component of the National Youth Policy. We hope to vigorously advocate it in view of its relevance and importance for a developing country like Pakistan. Our past efforts have succeeded in breaking the ice. It has created awareness among key players in policy making and sensitized them regarding the importance of a National Youth Service Policy in Pakistan. Not only parliamentarians from the present government but opposition leaders such as Mr. Aitazaz Ahsan and Mr. Liaquat Baloch have also sent us messages in support of National Youth Service Policy.

Since the launching of the Pakistan National Youth Service program in Pakistan, its volunteers have been working tirelessly for the promotion of the concept of Service as well as to demonstrate the positive impact of the program on them and the communities where they are serving. PNYS is getting tremendous feedback from the youth of other provinces who are so excited and offering themselves to become part of it. In a short span its volunteers have demonstrated the value and worth of involving youth into community building activities.

PNYS volunteers are working in diverse fields including education, health, skill development, community mobilization, research and entertainment. The one common thing that unites them all is their passion to serve and contribute in the development of their communities and sending messages that youth are not burden on the society but are incomparable asset. PNYS volunteers are involved in small community projects, which help bring a little happiness into the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. In spite of the resources, constraints particularly the non-availability of the financial support, the movement had to rely on the commitment of the volunteers and organizers for undertaking community service at no/nominal cost. The volunteer's time and premises for service centers were donated free of cost. Some nominal service charges provided the funds to continue the activities initiated under this program.