Youth Engagement Services (YES) Network Pakistan

ALI MEETS WITH FORMER US 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.

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. This project has been started in collaboration with AJWS to provide services to hard-to-reach and ignored segments of population living in earthquake affected communities.

We started the project activities by identifying disadvantaged and deprived communities. It was observed that many communities located at a very high altitude in Kashmir have been very badly affected by the earthquake. There is hardly any service delivery mechanism left for meeting the needs of the local communities. In view of this, we have launched first youth service project in these communities. The crux of the project is to primarily focus on training and engaging indigenous youth (especially female youth who are socially excluded) to take a lead role in re-building lives and livelihood. It is observed that local youth especially female youth is currently socially excluded in the reconstruction activities. They provide a huge untapped resource. They will be involved in multifarious activities such as providing counseling services, first aid, skill building opportunities, setting up non-formal schools and after school programs for a wide range of audiences including children, girls, senior citizens and women. They will offer these services through community-based service centers.

We have started the activities by sensitizing local communities in three major areas of Kashmir (Bagh, Dheerkot and Muzaffrabad) about the significance of involving and enabling young people in meeting high service needs of the society and promoting social entrepreneurial spirit among young people for re-construction of their communities. Several open sessions were held with community members to seek their approval and clarify doubts about the program. Our past and current activities helped us to build confidence and environment of trust in earthquake affected communities for the involvement of local youth especially female youth in relief activities. We are in the process of establishing eight functional committees of youth service volunteers in the identified areas. Functional committee is a basic unit of YES Network Pakistan/PNYS at grassroots level and it is a body of not less than 15 and more than 25 young members. The Functional committee members participate in all areas of youth service programming. Recently, we organized an oath taking ceremony at one of its locations for its two functional committees of youth service volunteers. During the oath taking ceremony young boys and girls pledged to dedicate one year for community service (minimum 24 hours per week) without any discrimination on the basis of religion, color, creed and sex.

The local young people are very excited to participate in youth service program. According to many of them “We have never thought in our lives that we can also contribute in meeting our community needs. We always believe that it is the responsibility of the government to provide services. We were of the view that service can only be rendered by protecting country from the enemies."

We had also identified land for the construction of the youth service centers. The owner of the land has donated land to YES Network Pakistan/PNYS for a period of five years to enable the local youth to carry out service activities. The construction of youth service centers will begin from next month after all the legal formalities. These service centers will be the hub for providing capacity building opportunities to indigenous youth and meeting high service needs of the affected people. Each resource center will be equipped with necessary tools and equipment to enable indigenous youth in carrying out reconstruction activities.

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

ALI SPEAKS AT GPF IN WASHINGTON, DC

INTRODUCTION

At the outset, I would like to express deep gratitude to Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP), US State Department and Global Philanthropy Forum (GPF) for granting me the honor of participating in the 5th Annual Global Philanthropy Forum and conducting a study tour to help connect with other service programs/organizations for information exchange and potential synergies. It was a very productive, uplifting and mind broadening experience of participating in GPF and afterwards connecting with several service related organizations in USA. It helped me immensely in:

Establishing new bonds.
Building partnerships.
Exchanging of experience and good practices.
Increasing understanding of various types of service programs.

Further increasing the momentum of first youth service program in Pakistan.

EVIDENCE OF NEED

In the year 2003, Pakistan National Youth Service movement was launched in Pakistan with the objective of helping young people to re-brand their image in the society and to promote young people as the most promising resource available in meeting societal needs. The idea is to provide a structured opportunity to young people to show-off their talents, creative abilities and potential as well as to bring change in their communities. Within a period of three years, Pakistan National Youth Service has involved over 800 service volunteers in a wide range of community building activities in partnership with several local, national and international organizations. With the help of our service volunteers we have established over 150 female adult literacy centers, 10 skill development centers and conducted several pilot studies on youth issues.

Despite all these successes we believe it is still a long way to go to reach out to millions of young people who are waiting for someone to believe in them and to create a culture of youth service in the country. The other evidence of need is as follows:

Pakistan at the moment houses largest number of youth in its history. 70 % of the total population is under the age of 29.
Unprecedented increase in violence, crime and terrorist activities.
Lack of structured and organized opportunities for the engagement of young people.
Continuously increasing high service needs of the society.
Pressing need for effective and ethical leadership.
Avoid wasting most precious human potential.
Lack of caring adults and safe places for young people.

OVERVIEW OF IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

DATE

HIGHLIGHTS

3rd April to 5th April

Participated in the Global Philanthropy Forum.

Spoke at the Forum about my experience of running youth service campaign in Pakistan. Received very encouraging response from the delegates.

6th April

Had a meeting with Corporation for National and Community Service staff to exchange service programs and methodologies of implementing service related projects.

In the afternoon, I had a meeting with National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (NASCC) staff. We gave each other presentations about our on-gong service programs and activities. I studied their field operations and organization.

6th April

Had a meeting with ICP staff to exchange information about service programs and also to identify areas of partnership for future.

In the evening Susan Stroud hosted a wonderful dinner for me at her home which was attended by ICP staff. During the dinner we continued discussions about our programs, challenges and future plan of action for building up youth service movement in other Asian countries.

7th April

Had a meeting with USAID’S Equip3 Program staff and shared in detail about our strategies of involving and engaging youth service volunteers. The meeting was attended by several partners of EQUIP3. It was decided in the meeting that possibilities of implementing a joint project will be explored to further scale-up current service programs in Pakistan. In this regard, since my return several developments have been made in terms of how, where, when and who will be involved and approached for joint venture.

In the evening I departed to Mississippi for meetings and exchange of experience with youth service volunteers working in the hurricane affected areas.

8th April

I joined Hands on Network team in Biloxi to learn about their efforts and experiences. I was very warmly welcomed by the service volunteers. I spent three hours working with the service volunteers in de-cluttering affected houses. After that I went to their coordination center where I was given briefing about their operations and management of service volunteers. It was a very enriching experience to learn about the methods and mission of the organization. It was very heartening to see the enthusiasm and spirit of the service volunteers.

9th April

I joined Disaster Americorps Team. I was given a tour by the team to its project locations. After that I was given a comprehensive presentation about the activities of the service volunteers. We exchanged various pieces of information with each other such as recruitment and management of service volunteers as well as reporting formats.

10th April

I joined Habitat for Humanity at the Yankee stadium. I enjoyed working with the service volunteers till lunch. During lunch I had the opportunity to exchange information with team leaders and supervisors about our rehabilitation efforts in the earthquake affected communities. It was very interesting to note their operations and style of working with youth service volunteers. In the evening I departed from Biloxi to Washington, DC.

11th April

Had a meeting with Heads Up organization. I was given a detail presentation about the projects and activities of Heads Up. It was interesting to learn about its model of involving educational institutions for the promotion of youth service.

In the afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting with Larry Schwartz from US Department of State. I was accompanied by Susan Stroud, CEO of ICP. I shared with him briefly about my trip and experiences of implementing youth service campaign in Pakistan and the pressing need of launching new service programs for mainstreaming young people in the region for accomplishing many societal goals. Discussions were focused on the status of youth in the region and strategies to promote use of youth service in the different countries of the region. Special emphasis was put on identifying mechanisms that would increase attention and investments in youth service. The outcome of the discussion was to think up a plan to introduce, enhance capacity and strengthen current youth service programs in the region. In this regard, a paper prepared by ICP and me was submitted to Larry Schwartz. I also invited him to visit our project locations in his upcoming visit to Pakistan.

12th April

On 12th April, I visited Ashoka organization and had several meetings with the relevant staff members. Being an Ashoka fellow from Pakistan it was a lovely meeting with them. I had also the honor of meeting with Bill Drayton, Founder and Director of Ashoka to share my work and future plans. My meeting enabled me to increase my understanding of the operations of Ashoka and also to explore new areas of collaboration in the filed of youth development and involvement.

It would not be wrong to say that the inspiring discussions, field visits and excellent new ideas put forward have filled me with confidence that we will be able to make serious inroads in addressing the challenges that plague the meaningful engagement of young people for their personal development, family development and community development. This trip has helped me to develop friendly, peaceful and empathetic relationships as well as to increase mutual understanding and respect by promoting personal, professional and institutional ties between PNYS and organizations in the United States.

There were many lessons learnt regarding the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of youth service programs. My interaction with several service related organizations helped me to further enhance my knowledge and skills in the recruitment, screening, orientation, training, supervision and recognition of service volunteers.

I would like to thank you US State department, ICP and Global Philanthropy Forum for making it possible for me to enlighten myself with several best practices and new thinking. I re-affirm my commitment that I will spare no efforts to make use of all the gained knowledge, skills and social capital for strengthening and scaling-up youth service programs in Pakistan.

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. During the Walzell meeting 2006 in Austria, all the selected young leaders presented their projects and thoughts on the topic of change. For more information please visit www.waldzell.org

ALI ATTENDED ILO/SKILLS-AP/JAPAN REGIONAL TECHNICAL MEETING ON DEVELOPING SKILLS AND EMPLOYABILITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN ASIA AND THE 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.

Lost Opportunities: 15 to 19 years old

Learning while Earning: Young people at work

What do young people need to know?: Priority skills

Making good choices: Career guidance and counselling

It is indeed a matter of great honor for YES Network Pakistan, that its frontline project is one of the three youth projects selected for the meeting. We are indebted to Youth Engagement Network (YEN) of UN and ILO for granting this unique opportunity to us.

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DATE	HIGHLIGHTS
3rd April to 5th April	Participated in the Global Philanthropy Forum. Spoke at the Forum about my experience of running youth service campaign in Pakistan. Received very encouraging response from the delegates.
6th April	Had a meeting with Corporation for National and Community Service staff to exchange service programs and methodologies of implementing service related projects. In the afternoon, I had a meeting with National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (NASCC) staff. We gave each other presentations about our on-gong service programs and activities. I studied their field operations and organization.
6th April	Had a meeting with ICP staff to exchange information about service programs and also to identify areas of partnership for future. In the evening Susan Stroud hosted a wonderful dinner for me at her home which was attended by ICP staff. During the dinner we continued discussions about our programs, challenges and future plan of action for building up youth service movement in other Asian countries.
7th April	Had a meeting with USAID’S Equip3 Program staff and shared in detail about our strategies of involving and engaging youth service volunteers. The meeting was attended by several partners of EQUIP3. It was decided in the meeting that possibilities of implementing a joint project will be explored to further scale-up current service programs in Pakistan. In this regard, since my return several developments have been made in terms of how, where, when and who will be involved and approached for joint venture. In the evening I departed to Mississippi for meetings and exchange of experience with youth service volunteers working in the hurricane affected areas.
8th April	I joined Hands on Network team in Biloxi to learn about their efforts and experiences. I was very warmly welcomed by the service volunteers. I spent three hours working with the service volunteers in de-cluttering affected houses. After that I went to their coordination center where I was given briefing about their operations and management of service volunteers. It was a very enriching experience to learn about the methods and mission of the organization. It was very heartening to see the enthusiasm and spirit of the service volunteers.
9th April	I joined Disaster Americorps Team. I was given a tour by the team to its project locations. After that I was given a comprehensive presentation about the activities of the service volunteers. We exchanged various pieces of information with each other such as recruitment and management of service volunteers as well as reporting formats.
10th April	I joined Habitat for Humanity at the Yankee stadium. I enjoyed working with the service volunteers till lunch. During lunch I had the opportunity to exchange information with team leaders and supervisors about our rehabilitation efforts in the earthquake affected communities. It was very interesting to note their operations and style of working with youth service volunteers. In the evening I departed from Biloxi to Washington, DC.
11th April	Had a meeting with Heads Up organization. I was given a detail presentation about the projects and activities of Heads Up. It was interesting to learn about its model of involving educational institutions for the promotion of youth service. In the afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting with Larry Schwartz from US Department of State. I was accompanied by Susan Stroud, CEO of ICP. I shared with him briefly about my trip and experiences of implementing youth service campaign in Pakistan and the pressing need of launching new service programs for mainstreaming young people in the region for accomplishing many societal goals. Discussions were focused on the status of youth in the region and strategies to promote use of youth service in the different countries of the region. Special emphasis was put on identifying mechanisms that would increase attention and investments in youth service. The outcome of the discussion was to think up a plan to introduce, enhance capacity and strengthen current youth service programs in the region. In this regard, a paper prepared by ICP and me was submitted to Larry Schwartz. I also invited him to visit our project locations in his upcoming visit to Pakistan.
12th April	On 12th April, I visited Ashoka organization and had several meetings with the relevant staff members. Being an Ashoka fellow from Pakistan it was a lovely meeting with them. I had also the honor of meeting with Bill Drayton, Founder and Director of Ashoka to share my work and future plans. My meeting enabled me to increase my understanding of the operations of Ashoka and also to explore new areas of collaboration in the filed of youth development and involvement.