Launching of "Bridging Digital Divide" Project

YES Network Pakistan has launched the "Bridging Digital Divide" project to assist teachers and principals of leading schools in acquiring brand new laptops. This project has been launched to fill the vacuum existing in the area of ICTs in schools. During the first phase, YES trained the teachers of the schools in basic ICTs skills and in the second phase YES has launched this project to ensure the access of ICT technology to the teachers involved in the trainings.

Sad demise of Mr. Mansoor-ul-Hassan Bhatti

We express great grief over the sad demise of our honorable Program Manager Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Mansoor-ul-Hassan Bhatti. He was the great asset of the organization. May God rest his soul in peace. YES Network Pakistan will never forget his contributions for the organization and for the development of the youth.

Ali speaks at the Expert Group Meeting in Islamabad

Ali speaks at the Expert Group Meeting in Islamabad organized by UNIFEM and Planning Commission of Pakistan on July 1, 2009. The purpose of the meeting was to share six promising strategies selected by UNIFEM and Planning Commision for promotion of education. YES Network Pakistan's Model of Youth Service was selected as one of the six models.The meeting was chaired by Advisor to Prime Minister Miss. Shehnaz Wazir Ali. The other prominenet government functionaires who attended the meeting include Deputy Chairman Planning Sardar Asif Ali and Secretaries of different government departments.In addition to that, several UN agencies, international organization and NGOs attended the meeting.

An emergency project launched for the children of IDPs

YES Network Pakistan has launched a project to provide shelter, relief, care and education services to the children of internally displaced families. YES Network Pakistan has created a local service delivery mechanism by mainstreaming young educated girls of the internally displaced families for providing these services. Please click the following link for more information.
IDPs Project

Service Learning project launched in the leading Catholic Schools

YES Network Pakistan has launched Service Learning program for the first time in the educational institutions of Pakistan. YES Network Pakistan has been conducting sensitization sessions with the principals of the leading schools for the integration of the Service Learning concept. Recently, the Catholic Board of Lahore has approved the implementation of Service Learning program. YES Network Pakistan has trained and engaged over 350 teachers in the designing and implementation of Service Learning projects. For more information, please visit the following link.
Service Learning Program

ICT Training Program launched for the teachers

YES Network Pakistan has launched an ICT training program to eqiup teachers and youth with basic ICTs skills. In this regard, over 300 teachers have been trained to use ICT as a tool for personal development and for training young students with ICT skills.

YES joins Asia Pacific Future 100 Fellowship Program

Yes Network Pakistan joins Foundation for Youth Social Entrepreneurship (FYSE) for the Asia Pacific Future 100 Fellowship Program. This program is launched to identify young entrepreneurial talent and to promote youth entrepreneurship as a solution to many problems being faced by youth and communities. Mr. Ali Raza Khan, CEO of YES Network Pakistan is the member of the jury of the Asia Pacific Future 100 Fellowship Program. For more information and to apply for this program, visit the following links.
www.fyse.org        Asia Pacific Future 100 Fellowship Program

YES Network Pakistan, British Council and NAVTEC joins hand in launching Youth Social Entrepreneruship Competition 2009

After the unprecedented success of the last year Youth Social Entrepreneruship Competition, YES Network Pakistan and British Council along with NAVTEC has signed an agreement for the launching of the 2009 competition. For more information, please visit the following link.
Youth Social Entrepreneruship Competition 2009

Ali participated in the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Kansas City, U.S.A

The event was attended by the representatives of over 75 countries. During the event discussions were held regarding the preparation of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009. An opportunity was provided to the representatives of the participating countries to share their accomplishments and challenges during the celebrations of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008. Mr. Ali spoke at the opening day of the event. A special ceremony for signing of Memorandum of Understanding for the celebrations of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009 was held with the representatives of the participating countries.

Ali spoke at the Arab Reform Forum held in Alexandria, Egypt

Ali spoke at the Arab Reform Forum held in Alexandria, Egypt from 27th February to 3rd March 2009. The Forum was attended by the delegates of approximately 50 countries. The aim of the Forum was to feature the work of proven young leaders and to encourage the young people of Arab countries to embrace innovation, imagination and responsibility in addressing the issues being faced by their communities. Ali was invited to speak and participate in a panel discussion on the opening day of the Forum. During the panel discussion several questions were asked about his experience, lessons learnt, accomplishments and challenges. Dr. Ismil Seraj concluding the panel discussion stated that "the participation of Mr. Ali has contributed in developing a good image of Pakistan and that after listening to him I can say that the youth of Pakistan is not less than the youth of entire Asia. He thanked Mr. Ali for his participation and contribution to the Forum".

Youth Service Network of YES Network Pakistan won the Regional Enterprise Challenge Competition in U.K

We are delighted to share with you that one of our recently established and trained Youth Service Networks has won the Regional Enterprise Challenge Competition organized by British Council and Make Your Mark in UK. Their winning idea is an integrated waste management system to collect organic household waste from around the city (and to convert it into gas, organic fertilizer/biocompost and electricity. Amazingly, considering the idea was first conceived in November last year, the project is already underway and the team will use the prize money to expand the business. 20% of their profits go to producing sustainable shopping bags for the city as overuse of plastic bags is currently a real problem.
For background information related to this Competition please click the following link.
Retrospective

Ali speaks at the international conference on "Communities in Action: People and Practice" in Manchester

Ali speaks at the international conference on "Communities in Action: People and Practice" in Manchester from 28th to 29th January 2009. YES Network Pakistan model of working with young people was featured in the session aimed at showcasing good practices from around the world of working with young people. This conference provided a unique opportunity for practitioners to come together to share learning and identify good practice. There will be opportunities to consider some of the underlying issues that create tensions between local communities and to look at practical and creative ways to resolve these.
The topics of the conference included:

• Young people - education, employment and engagement.
• Civil society - connections and networks.
• The role of education, culture and media in promoting community cohesion.
• How businesses contribute to the well-being of communities.

Featuring internationally renowned speakers, the conference brought practitioners together from around the world to:-

• Share experiences, strengthen understanding and build good practice internationally in community relations and cohesion.
• Establish new international networks around the community cohesion agenda and support long-term learning in these areas.
• Explore some of the issues that communities are facing globally and begin a dialogue on how these issues can be addressed.

Highlights of the Award Distribution Ceremony

An award distribution ceremony in honor of the winning and 4 runners up teams was organized by YES Network Pakistan and British Council on 15th January 2009 in Lahore. The ceremony was held in British Council's premises. The ceremony started at 10.30 AM and ended at 12.30 PM. Ms. Sue Beaumount, Country Director British Council, Mark Stephens, Deputy Director British Council and Maria Afzal, Head of the Programmes British Council along with other concerned staff members participated in the ceremony. The ceremony was graced by the Regional Director of British Council, Mr. Gerry Liston. For more information related to the Award Distribution Ceremony, please click the following link.
Award Dsitribution Ceremony

Winner announced for the first Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition

YES Network Pakistan is pleased to announce the winner of the first youth social entrepreneurship competition organized by YES Network Pakistan and British Council. According to the results, Vocational Training Institute (VTI) Jhang team has won the competition. Our heartiest congratulations to the entire team of VTI Jhang. The winning team will be given an amount of Rs. 250,000 (interest free) to launch and implement their idea of change in their community. The winning team will also be invited to participate in the regional challenge planned in the month of March aboard by British Council. The 4 runner up teams will be provided a seed funding of Rs. 60,000 each for carrying out their service projects.

Pacific Institute for Women Health joins YES Network Pakistan for stimulating entrepreneurship among female youth living in low-income communities

Pacific Institute for Women Health has joined YES Network Pakistan for stimulating entrepreneurship among female youth living in low-income communities for addressing gender discrimination and reproductive health issues. Under the said project, young girls from disadvantaged communities will be encouraged to think up new ideas and ways of empowering other girls and women.

YES Network Pakistan launches Smart Youth Program for encouraging school and college going students to assist disadvantaged youth

YES Network Pakistan has launched Smart Youth Program to encourage well-placed youth studying in colleges and schools to assist disadvantaged youth living in low-income communities to transform themselves from victims to leaders. Read More....
For becoming a Smart Youth  Apply now

Ali speaks at the ninth annual Population Research Conference in Lahore

Ali speaks at the ninth annual Population Research Conference in Lahore from 2-4, 2008. During the conference a technical session was held on the theme of "Education, Skill and Employment Challenges for Youth: Security Dimensions". Ali was invited to share his experiences and model of engaging disadvantaged youth in transforming themselves from victims to leaders. The other distinguished speakers were Dr. Grace Clark, Dr. Saeed Shafqat, Mr. Zafar Mueen Nisar and Ms. Tayaba Batol.

YES Network Pakistan organized two sensitization workshops for principals and senior staff of technical and vocational colleges in-partnership with British Council

YES Network Pakistan organized two sensitization workshops for the 27 principals and senior staff of the technical and vocational colleges on the topic of Youth Social Entrepreneurship in-partnership with British Council in Lahore and Karachi. The purpose of conducting these workshops was to assess current levels of knowledge of the principals about youth social entrepreneurship, create awareness about the topic and to share the upcoming enterprise challenge in the month of November 2008.

Highlights of the celebrations of Global Entrepreneurship Week Festival 16th-19th November, 2008

Spectacular and unprecedented scenes of joy, excitement and hope were witnessed during the first-ever celebrations of Global Entrepreneurship Week Festival in Pakistan. The event was held at Pakistan's premier Auditorium the Rawalpindi Arts Council from 16th to 19th November 2008. The event was organized under the theme of "Advancing Youth Social Entrepreneurship in Pakistan". The Youth Global Entrepreneurship Week Festival was organized by YES Network Pakistan in-collaboration with British Council and KSB Pumps as well as leading educational institutions of Pakistan. Over 500 young delegates took part in the event. These delegates came together to share ideas, experiences and visions of how they can take the lead in promoting positive change in their communities and becoming active and contributing citizens of the society. Read More...

Ali selected as a YSEI Fellow

Ali has been selected as a YSEI Fellow under the Youth Social Enterprise Initiative (YSEI) Programme. YSEI is a Global Partnership Programme supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).YSEI Fellows are those young social entrepreneurs entrepreneurs who have shown great commitment to the improvement of their communities.

British Council joins YES Network Pakistan in launching first ever Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition in TVET Colleges

British Council joins YES Network Pakistan in launching first ever Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions across Pakistan. The award focuses on inspiring young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity and is open to all technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions across Pakistan.The students from selected institutions will identify common social problem from their society and work towards a suitable solution for the problem using the sector they are specialising in. Read More...

YES Network Pakistan is in the process of launching Service Learning Program in the leading Educational Institutions of Pakistan

YES Network Pakistan has been holding sensitization sessions on Service Learning with the principals of the leading educational institutions of Pakistan. The whole idea of conducting the sessions is to raise awareness among the principals/teachers about the need and significance of providing opportunities to students to use their knowledge and skills for designing and implementing service projects within and outside schools for their all-round development. We are in process of launching this program in the Sacred Heart School and Saint Anthony's School.

YES Network Pakistan launches its Youth Service Program in Tribal areas of NWFP

YES Network Pakistan introduced its proven Youth Service Program in the Tribal areas of NWFP province of Pakistan to provide a constructive alternative to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged youth. Under this program, we have established so far 25 Micro Social Enterprises with the help of previously socially excluded and over looked local young people. These Micro Social Enterprises are providing a wide range of services including education, skills development, computer education, counselling and training to the local community members. It is not only helping the community members but it is also helping the young service providers who are running these Micro Social Enterprises through revenue generation and personal development. We are receiving a high volume of requests from many other young people for starting this program in their communities located in the tribal areas.

We are exploring funding possibilities to expand our program in NWFP province. Please join us in reaching out to many forgotten and vulnerable young people.

Ali selected as a YSEI Fellow

Ali has been selected as a YSEI Fellow under the Youth Social Enterprise Initiative (YSEI) Programme. YSEI is a Global Partnership Programme supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).YSEI Fellows are those young social entrepreneurs entrepreneurs who have shown great commitment to the improvement of their communities.

Ali attended ILO/Skills-AP/Japan Regional Technical Meeting on Developing Skills and Employability for young people in Asia and Pacific (13th-16th Feb, 2007)

YES Network Pakistan's frontline project entitled PNYS was selected for a major presentation at the meeting. Mr. Ali Raza Khan, Founder and CEO of YES Network Pakistan was invited to serve as a resource person. The participants contributed by presenting information on their experience and their organization's current activities on one or more of the following four selected themes. They also participated in discussions. Read More

Ali gets selected as an "ARCHITECT OF THE FUTURE" by Waldzell Institute in Austria

Ali gets selected as an "Architect of the Future" by Waldzell institute in Austria. Ali is one of 12 young individuals selected from all over the world. Read More...

Ali speaks at GPF in Washington, DC

Ali participates in the 5th Annual Global Philanthropy Forum and conducts a study tour to help connect with other service programs/organizations for information exchange and potential synergies. Read More...

Ali selected as an Ashoka Fellow

We are pleased to share with you that Ali Raza Khan , Founder and CEO of Youth Engagement Services (YES) Network Pakistan/PNYS got elected as an Ashoka Fellow. Ashoka is a global network of leading social entrepreneurs. For more information please visit www.ashoka.org

KSB Pumps Company Limited, Pakistan Joins Hands With YES Network Pakistan

KSB Pumps Company, Limited, Pakistan joins hands with YES Network Pakistan to strengthen and expand its proven model of youth engagement in earthquake affected communities of Pakistan. Read More...

Launching of first Youth Service Program in Kashmir

YES Network Pakistan/Pakistan National Youth Service (PNYS) has launched first youth service program in Kashmir to engage local young people in community building process and relief activities in earthquake affected communities as well as to promote social entrepreneurship among young people. Read More...

Ali meets with former U.S President William J. Clinton

Ali had the honor and privilege of meeting with former US President William J Clinton in Washington DC. Ali was introduced to the President by Susan Stroud, CEO of ICP. President congratulated Ali for starting up first youth service program in Pakistan. Mr. President shared with him about his recent visit to Pakistan and his plans of starting-up a comprehensive campaign on HIV/AIDS prevention in Pakistan through his Foundation.