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Youth development and youth engagement are key factors for bringing peace and stability in the region. Engagement of youth in different activities provides them with opportunities to utilize their potentials and skills. It benefits youth from skills obtained for from these activities and learn how to plan actions, design and coordinate activities, volunteer time for day to day youth work and communicate on behalf of youth and so on. Bargad activities link personal development of youth with social development. This builds their capacity to interact with experienced people and equip themselves by handling difficult situations. Moreover, Pakistan is also experiencing youth bulge that has made country more susceptible to civil strife. According to Policy Brief, “Public and Policy Imperatives for Youth Bulge in Pakistan” it is stated that, “Youth is evidently visible in campus violence and extremist activities. There is a need to engage to involve young people in effective behavioral change communication for internalizing values of tolerance, openness, dialogue and peaceful resolutions of the issues. Preventive actions also need to address economic, political and cultural factors of extremism and realize youth the economic, political and psychological costs of extremism. It is envisaged that creation of open platforms facilitates anti-extremism environment; as it is often linked with suppression of youth feelings.”

Bargad ten years partnership with HBS has made a significant contribution in area of peace and youth cooperation not only in Pakistan but also in the region. At the completion of Bargad ten years partnership with HBS, a networking lunch, meeting with volunteers and Bargad’s ambassadors meeting was organized. It is noteworthy that the Bargad’s program, “Peace and Youth Cooperation completed its eighth year. The program introduced youth track of peace in Pakistan with objective to build peace in universities, and to facilitate the sharing of experiences and information about campus lives so as to link curricular and co-curricular practices with larger peace aims from within.

The program is not only formulated to set up a youth peace track in Pakistan within the track of multi-track diplomacy, it also aimed to employ build peace on existing practices and resources available with the educational institutions; in that it is pro-active, positive and people-to-people peace. Rather than taking peace as a status discourse that revolves around the idea of absence of war.

From October to December organization held a number of activities including seminars, trainings, dialogues, media programmes, networking lunch on ten years completion of HBS-Bargad Partnership, Bargad stalls and participation of Bargad on international forums.

From October to December 2010, 6407 students, faculty members, youth groups and policy makers were the direct beneficiaries of Bargad’s programs. The topics of the dialogues and seminars are: youth activism, The responsibility of youth in democracy and peace-building on campuses, Peace on campuses, Responsibility of youth: volunteerism in USA and impact of information gap on job employment. Trainings included: Training of masters trainers on life skills education, Training of teachers on life skills education, Resume and cover letter writing, Paper making, Photography, Social research methodology and Career counseling.

This e-newsletter highlights the activities that the organization held in the span of three months.

To promote peace, justice and cooperation among youth in Pakistan

Text Box: If you are interested youth, join us as a volunteer or be our patron in your institution. For membership send your request at Usman01.bargad@ gmail.com Join us at Facebook

IN REMEMBRENCE OF

DR. FAROOQ KHAN

Bargad condoles at the murder of Dr. Farooq Khan, he was working for peace development in Pakistan. Dr. Farooq Khan was recognized as a writer, columnist, and intellectual throughout the country. He was also known as a religious scholar and competent TV compare. Dr Farooq Khan was an advocate of Bargad and had participated in a number of Bargad’s activities.

Dr. Farooq Khan was born at a village, in the district of Swabi. He obtained his elementary education at his hometown.

God bestowed upon him the quality of presenting his propositions in simple language and clarity of style.

Dr. Farooq was the author of several books like:

· Pakistan and the Twenty First Century (Urdu),

· Jihad, Qital and Islamic world (Urdu)

· What is Islam?? (Urdu)

· Islam and Women (Urdu & English)

· Dialogue with the West (English)

· Kashmir Issue (Urdu & English)

· The questions of Modern mind and Reply of Islam (Urdu)

· Critical study of Ordinance of Hudood, Qisas and Diyat (Urdu)

May his soul rest in Peace!

Text Box: Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Editor: Dr. Shahbaz Israr Khan

In district Gujranwala first Life skills Education level “Training of Masters Trainers” was organized successfully by Bargad in collaboration with WPF and Department of Education Gujranwala from 11 October to 14 October 2010. The training was organized by Bargad team Bushra Sadiq and Shakilla Kaukab.

It was 4-Day training with objective, "Empowering Girls-Transforming Communities". In the training 12 senior teachers and principals of high secondary schools of district Gujranwala participated. It is first initiative of its kind in the district.

Before organizing Training of Master Trainers, a baseline action research study was conducted in 35 schools of district Gujranwala in which opinion of the girls, teachers and EDO was taken. On the basis of research a curriculum has been developed. In training phase teachers are trained to teach the curriculum in their respective schools. Development of need based curriculum and subsequent training is a unique effort in its regard that is expected to bring changes at grassroots level in the community of dist. Gujranwala. The main topics focused during the training were; self awareness, gender, human rights, family, communication, health, harassment, contagious diseases, health issues and confidence building.

The training was highly commended by DCO Gujranwala and he urged on the continuity of the project and showed his intensions to support it. At the end of the training certificates were distributed by DCO District Gujranwala, Barrister Nabeel A. Awan.

Bargad organized a discussion in collaboration with FM 103, "Impact of information gap on job employment." One hour program went on air from 3pm to 4 pm on 14 October, 2010. In the discussion four students from University of Central Punjab, FC, Superior University and a Bargad representative participated. The main findings of the discussion are that the word employment must be redefined, we must break the social taboos regarding jobs we consider menial, in Pakistan a well equipped job information centre must be formed, skill gaps among students and the relation of market with our education system were discussed in detail.

New members Board of Directors of Bargad, Ms. Sabeen Inam and Ms. Hina Shafqat, were welcomed in the meeting of BoD's held at Lahore on 15 October, 2010. Ms. Sabeen Inam is producer at Geo TV while Ms. Hina Shafqat is Station Director at FM103 Lahore. The meeting was attended by Dr Ghazala Irfan, Sarmad Raza Nayak, Sabeen Inam, Hina Shafqat, Samina Zarrin, Abdual Basit Ali Chaudhry and Sabiha Shaheen. In the meeting the byelaws of Bargad were reviewed and overall progress of the organization was accessed.

Bargad organized a core group formation meeting at Lahore on 16 Oct, 2010. Regular meetings will be held in future for the consolidation of the group. The group is formed with vision of youth development in which a selected group of volunteers will be engaged in study circles, management of activities, report writing, radio programmes, skill base and right base trainings and other activities. This will enhance the capacities of the members and will be able to contribute positively to the society.

Bargad’s Executive Director Sabiha Shaheen and Iqbal Haider Butt ,free launce Consultant, Asia Leadership and UNU fellow attended the 9th Global Conference 25-27 October 2010. The conference was held to cover the following objectives:

· Explore different experiences and models of youth civic engagement around the world

· Explore the connection between youth civic engagement and issues such as youth employability, national development, peace-building and other issues of local, regional and national concern

· Explore the relationship between youth civic engagement and service-learning in formal and non-formal education settings

· Gain practical knowledge in areas such as public and private funding, impact evaluation, policy development and others

· Network with other professionals working in the youth civic engagement field regionally and globally

· Build a community of practice on youth civic engagement

Plenary and breakout sessions explored a variety of topics: A special multi-session track on youth service and employability; a track for policymakers and others interested in National Youth Service policy, Sessions to explore other theoretical and practical themes of service, such as peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction, service and technology, impact evaluation, private sector funding.

Developing guidelines on best practices for service learning programs in developing countries: A two-part participatory workshop sponsored by the USAID EQUIP 3 Program, which provides support to youth development efforts in developing countries. EQUIP 3 and ICP have agreed to collaborate on the development of a document that identifies best practices in service learning programs targeted to youth in the developing world. Participants at the IANYS Global Conference in Alexandria have had the opportunity to contribute to the development of these guidelines. EQUIP 3 hosted a two part workshop at which IANYS conference participants shared what works well in their programs and in other countries around the world.

Sabiha Shaheen (Executive Director,Bargad) spoke as a panelist on the session "Youth Civic Engagement and Peacebuilding/Post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation" during the International Association of National Youth service (IANYS) conference in Alexandria and presented case study of Bargad's programme "Peace and Youth Cooperation".

The International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS) is a unique global network of practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and other professionals actively working to encourage countries worldwide to implement policies and programs that support youth civic engagement. Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) is the permanent secretariat of IANYS.

The Association was formed in 1996 at the third Global Conference on National Youth Service, and has grown to include participants from 48 different countries on six continents. Its governing body, the Global Council, consists of 14 experts on youth service from 13 countries around the world.

Bargad organized a session on "Career Counseling" at Government College for Boys Peoples colony Gujranwala on October 26, 2010. The attendees of the training were first asked then given flash cards to write the profession they want to choose for future. It was seen that the students were confused about relating their education to career path. The trainees were trained to relate their educational background with their future plans, market trends and opportunities.

At the end of the training the students also commented that their curriculum is not designed according to the needs of the market and locality of Gujranwala. Moreover, they shown their consent for conducting a research for unveiling the gaps between our curriculum and the market trends.

30 students participated in the session. Special thanks to Mr. Muhammad Yaqoob, lecturer Government Degree College. Trainer was Salma Butt assisted by Saiqa Rani.

A networking lunch and volunteers meeting was organized on the successful completion of ten years of partnership of Bargad with HBS at Bargad office on October 28, 2010.

It is for accessing and analyzing the impact of the project/ program, "Peace & Youth Cooperation" and way forward.

The hallmarks of ten years are six regional dialogues among students of India, Pakistan and Afganistan, Study on Youth Group Cohesion and networking, Course on Peace and Youth Cooperation, National Survey on Student Politics 2008, National VC's conference 2009, All Pakistan Student Leader Conference 2009 and National Youth Conference on Democracy, Islam and Terrorism 2010.

The total numbers of activities done under this project are 220 with 11612 direct beneficiaries, 44% female and 56% male representation. Direct & Indirect beneficiaries of the project are 757, 3132.

Ms. Britta Peterson (Country Director Pakistan HBS),Ms. Katja Mielke (Evaluator) and Ms. Saima Jassam (Head of Programmes HBS Pakistan) represented HBS at the occasion.

In the networking lunch beneficiaries of the Project, "Peace & Youth Cooperation" from university administration, faculty members, government officials, media persons and from corporate participated. Other participants included from Gomal university, Beacon House University, Virtual University, Government College University Faisalabad, Gujrat University, University of Sargodha, University of Lahore, Punjab University, GIFT University, University of Central Punjab, 2 from civil society, 1 Gov official and 1 from corporate sector among others. The notables included; Fazal-ur-Rehman (Publicity Officer Gomal University), Saben Inam (Producer, Geo TV), Ms. Samina Zarrin (lawyer), Rema Rao (Lecturer University of Lahore), Azhar Jaffery ( Academician), Zahid Mumtaz (Anthropologist), Rai ijaz (SP city), Ikhlaq Butt ( Entrepreneur), Thair Iqbal ( Rector GIFT University), Dr. Ehsan Malik (Director General Punjab University Gujranwala campus), Dr. Sajid Basheer (Chairman Pharmacy department, University of Sargodha), Rohan David (lecturer Kinnard College), Kareem ullah Gondal (Journalist) and Qazi Shoaib (Chief Executive officer, JWS) participated.

Seminar, "Youth Activism" in FC college on November 10, 2010 organized by Bargad in collaboration with Rotaract Club of FC college Lahore.

Guest speakers were Najam walli, anchor person City 42 News-light and Muhammad Tahseen, Director SAP pk.

In the seminar M. Tahseen talked about the role of Youth in different movements of Pakistan, diversity among youth and concentrated upon unity among diversity, he said, “We need to respect all flowers of basket”. He said that the students must take part in social activities. He further added that the students societies must be strengthened, societies must identify their agenda by themselves and the agenda must be in written form. Additionally, youth must study the policies related to them and must demand for reforms and amendments, accordingly.

Nearly 60 students participated in the discussion. Vote of thanks was extended by Ms. Sabiha Shaheen, Executive Director Bargad.

Bargad held a number of activities at University of Sargodha from November 23-26, 2010. These activities were organized in collaboration with Department of History and Pakistan Studies, Department of Pharmacy and Co-curricular Activities Forum University of Sargodha (UOS). The activities included: a group discussion with students, dialogue, forum and training session.

The sessions were moderated by Ms. Saiqa Rani while the activities were volunteered by Aamir Bilal, Abubakar, Marryam, Hameed Nazi and Nadia. Mujahid Raza also assisted in arrangements.

i) Dialogue on, “The Role of Youth in Democracy and Peace-building on Campuses”

The dialogue was organized on, “The role of youth in democracy and Peace-building on campuses” in collaboration with Department of History and Pakistan Studies, University of Sargodha on November 24, 2010. Eight students started the dialogue and then the house was opened for discussion. 110 students participated in the event. Facilitator was Ms. Sabiha Shaheen (Executive Director, Bargad) while the focal person from University of Sargodha was Dr. Naudir Bakth (Chairman, Department of History and Pakistan studies).

ii) Training Session on Resume Development and Cover Letter Writing

A training session on resume development and cover letter writing was organized by Bargad on November 25, 2010 in collaboration with Department of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha. Four hours training session was attended by 50 students.

The training mainly dealt with:

· Elements of good resume

· How to prepare a resume.

· How to write a good cover letter that attracts the prospective employer for an interview

· Comprehend the components of a good letter.

Trainer was Mr. Iqbal Haider Butt (UNU Fellow). Dr. Sajid Basheer (Chairman Department of Pharmacy) facilitated the event on behalf of the university.

iii) Forum on, “Peace on Campus”

A forum on, “Peace on Campuses” was organized in collaboration with Co-curricular activities forum, University of Sargodha on November 26, 2010.The forum was attended by 25 students of the university. During the forum the students emphasized over the importance of societies in peace building on campus and demanded for societies that could work at departmental level to involve students in procedural activism. Moreover, they proposed that the societies must be student-led and be facilitated by teachers.

Salma Butt moderated the event while Riaz Ahmed Shad (Director Co-curricular Activities Forum) was the focal person on behalf of the university.

During the Hayatians Career Fair 2010 at university of Gujrat, the administration of the university requested Bargad to arrange a stall and organize trainings at the university campus. Bargad organized trainings on Resume development, Photography and Papermaking from 29-30 Nov, 2010. A session on carrier counseling was also arranged.

Ayesha, Ahmed, Imran, Maimona and Areeba and Mr. Umer volunteered the activities. Ms. Saiqa Rani and Adnan Butt worked hard to make the events successful.

Details of the events are as follows:

i) Training on Resume Development

Bargad organized training on resume development on November 29, 2010 at Conference Hall (Medical Block 107). In the training 144 students participated, mainly final semester students.

The trainer Ms. Salma Butt trained students on:

· Elements of good resume

· How to prepare a resume.

· How to write a good cover letter that attracts the prospective employer for an interview

· Comprehend the components of a good letter.

Students admired the training and commented that training would be helpful to them in developing their resume. Most of the students attended such training for the first time.

ii) Training on Photography

Training on Photography was organized on November 29, 2010 at Conference Hall (Medical Block 107), in the training students were explained by Sarmad Raza Nayak about the scope of photography profession. Students were told about focus, Shutter time, zooming in and zooming out, distance and angle techniques of photography and effects of light on the quality of picture.

The training was attended by 40 students

iii) Training on Papermaking

Training on papermaking was organized on November 30, 2010 at Conference Hall (Medical Block 107). In the training 50 students were given orientation on:

· Paper making as a profession

· Demonstration of hand-made paper making process

· Recycling of paper at cottage level

Students were asked to handover rough papers to Sarmad Raza Nayak, trainer. The trainer recycled the rough papers into usable one. The students then practiced the recycling of paper as directed by the trainer and were amazed to see their own handmade paper.

iv) Session on Career Counseling

To choose the right career is very important indicator in the success of a professional life. A session of career counseling was organized at conference hall on November 30, 2010. The trainer Iqbal Haider Butt, UNU fellow, explained 70students on:

· Importance of choosing the right career

· Points to remember while choosing a career

· Practices in Pakistan

v) Bargad Stall

Two days stall was arranged at the University of Gujrat from November 29, 2010 to November 30, 2010. The stall contained Bargad profile, research material, policy brief and membership forms. Ms. Saiqa Rani and Mr. Adnan Butt explained 600 students about vision, goal and ongoing activities of Bargad. Students took keen interest in Bargad activities and requested to organize more activities at the University. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nizamuddin (University of Gujrat) visited the stall and highly commended the work of Bargad in the sector of youth development.

Last week of November 2010, Bargad in collaboration with Education Department Gujranwala and WPF organized three trainings of trainers on, “Life Skills Education” under the project, “Empowering Girls-Transforming Communities”. 140 teachers from 35 schools of the district participated in these trainings. For convenience and maximum output the teachers were divided into four different clusters. The main topics focused during the training were; self awareness, gender, human rights, family, communication, health, harassment, contagious diseases, health issues and confidence building.

Bargad team: Ms. Bushra Sadiq (Senior Program Officer), Ms. Shakilla Koukab (Program Officer), Shahid Aziz (Admin Officer), Adnan Butt (Admin & Finance Assistant) and Baseer Khan put their backs to make the trainings successful.

The details are as follows:

i) Training of Cluster 4

Bargad in collaboration with WPF and Department of Education Gujranwala organized 3-day training, “Life Skills Based Education" from November 22 to 24, 2010 at Alipur Chattha (cluster 4). In cluster 4 twenty-five teachers of Tahseel Wasirabad participated. Master Trainer was Ms. Sajida Perveen (Head-Mistress Government Girls High School Ahmad Nagar) and facilitated by Ms. Madiha (IT teacher).

ii) Training of Cluster 1 and Cluster 2

Training of Second and third clusters were organized at F.D Islamia Govt. Girls High School Gujranwala on 24-26 November 2010. 80 teachers from 18 different schools participated in the training. Ms. Zainab Zarrin, Ms Khalida Dar, Ms. Samina Shabbir and Ms. Ayesha Ishtaq were trainers in these two cluster centers.

The teachers appreciated the efforts of Bargad and praised the course developed on life skills education.

iii) Training of Cluster 3

The last training was organized at Government Girls High School Ghakkhar from November 30, 2010 to December 2, 2010 in which 40 teachers participated. Ms Bilquees Naureen (Head Mistress, Govt Girls school Rahwali) and Ms. Maryam Riaz (Senior Teacher, Govt Girls High School Kashmir Coloney, Rahwali) was trainer.

Ms. Samina Zarrin (Senior Lawyer and member BOD of Bargad) was the chief guest in three cluster centers who distributed the certificates among the participants.

30 members of Jawan Bargad Lahore attended the launching ceremony of the documentary, "An Untold Peoples History" by HBS and Shirkat Gah, produced by Ms. Najma Siddique on December 2, 2010.
Film explores why, despite Pakistan's vast resources and rich potential, there is a mass loss of livelihood, chronic food insecurity and hunger, absence of fair treatment and justice for all, the privatization of public goods and natural resources.

Bargad team attended Rise festival organized in commemoration of the day, “Say no to pesticides” by Khoj society for people's education on December 3, 2010 at Kot Mughal, Mundi Faizabad, Shekepura district. The team was represented by Ms. Sabiha Shaheen, Executive Director Bargad, Ms. Muqadas Iqbal, Ms. Bushra Sadiq and Ms. Saiqa Rani. Women of the village celebrated the festival enthusiastically to celebrate the day, “Say no to pesticides”; they were dressed in cultural dresses and the whole tent was full of fragrant flowers where they also performed cultural dances and decorated one and other hands with mehndi. In the end a unique competition was organized in which different dishes of rice were cooked. The winners of the competition were awarded prizes.

Bargad held training on resume development and cover-letter writing at 12 December, 2010. 1st hour was dedicated to Mr. Faisal Mustafa, volunteer of Bargad who passed away in a roadside accident on December 7,2010. In the training 12 students participated. Trainer was Iqbal Haider Butt. Bargad is thankful to Ms. Naisra Habib, Khoj-Society for people's education, for providing venue for the training. The training was organized upon the request of Jawan Bargad Lahore.

Bargad organized a session on research methodology and self management at Government College University Faisalabad. Especial thanks to Director Students Affarir, Attique-ur-rehman Khan and Deputy Director Students Affair Ali Usman. While the events were volunteered by Asadullah, Imran Fetheh Muhammad, Shummona.

Bargad team comprised of Ms. Saiqa Rani, Adnan Butt and Baseer Khan.

i) Training on Research Methodology

Bargad organized a skill based training program at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) on Dec 21, 2010 with 25 faculty members on "Social Research Methodology." Trainer Iqbal Haider Butt, Free Launce Consultant, Asia and UNU fellow, discussed about the methods the researchers use for the research which may be biased or unbiased. He also talked about the problems concerning with the research in data collection, evaluation and the execution. The training was organized in collaboration with Director Students Affairs of GCUF. The faculty members belonged to various departments of social sciences.

ii) Training on Self Management

Bargad organized skill based training at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) on Dec 22, 2010. Salma Butt was trained 36 students on “Self Management”. The training was organized in collaboration with Director Students Affairs of GCUF.

Bargad organized a discussion/ Lecture by Dr. Mohammad Ali Chaudry (Lecturer at Rutgers University Division of Continuing Studies) , " Responsibility of Youth: volunteerism in USA" on 24 December 2010 at 3 pm. The program was organized at University of Central Punjab (UCP) Lahore in which 60 students and faculty from UCP, Lahore University, Virtual University and Comsats University participated. Dr. M. Ali Chaudry explained the importance of volunteerism in Pakistan and urged the vitality of forming small volunteer groups that can further transform themselves into effective large groups.

Bargad in collaboration with HBS contributed to post disaster relief work by engaging university youth. In this project 600 relief packages containing mattress, pillow, bed sheet and blanket shall be distributed to 600 families of District D.I.khan, Lyyah and Rajanpur.

On 14 December Bargad team, Ms. Muqadas Iqbal, Sarmad Raza and Dr. Shahbaz Israr visited flood affected areas of DI Khan. The condition of these areas is still miserable and people do not have adequate warm things to guard themselves against cold. In area of Bhirki village, near to Gomal University D.I Khan, are in extreme dismal conditions.

On 26th December 2010, Bargad team including MS. Sabiha Shaheen, Executive Director Bargad, Sarmad Raza Nayak, Salma Butt and Mujahid Raza along with HBS representative Mazher Zaheer distributed 200 relief packages among the flood affectees.

Certificates were awarded to 25 volunteers of Gomal University, who under coordination of M.Sohaib Joyia, (Executive member, Gomalian Students’ Council) and M. Fazal-ur-Rehman (Publicity Officer, Gomal University) worked hard to identify flood affected people and other arrangements.

Bargad is especially thankful to Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi (Vice-Chancellor Gomal University), M.Fazal-ur-Rehman and administration of Gomal University for their cooperation.

A consultative meeting with Pakistani youth groups was organized by Bargad in collaboration with UNFPA at Islamabad hotel, Islamabad on 30 December, 2010 for bringing reforms of integrated youth development in Pakistan. The meeting was organized under the banner of National Youth Advocacy Platform in which 36 participants from youth organizations, youth groups, donor agencies, media, university administration and students of various universities participated.

The meeting was organized to specify and narrow down the recommendations presented in the National Youth Conference on Risks and Dividends of Youth Bulge in Pakistan, so that the most pressing recommendations could be worked on for bringing reforms at policy level. The recommendations were on following four themes as indicated by Policy Brief, “Public and Policy Imperatives of Youth Bulge in Pakistan”:

· Ensuring Declining Fertility

· Education and Youth Development

· Youth for Labour Force

· Youth Engagement and Participation

The flagship activity of the meeting was group work in which the participants of the meeting were divided into four different groups on the above said four themes. Each group came up with certain recommendations which were then discussed in Q&A session by all the participants and the most pressing issue recommended by the participants was selected. Welcome note was given by Ms. Sadia Atta Mehmood (UNFPA, moderator was Ms. Salama Rehmat Butt (Volunteer Bargad) and Vote of thanks by Ms. Sabiha Shaheen (Bargad). Other dignitaries included Zafarullah Khan (Center for Civic Education), Raziq Faheem (College for Youth Activism), Qurat-ul-ain Bakhteari (IDSP), Aysha Tammy Haq (Media), Saleem sethi (Power FM 99 Radio), Fazal-ur-Rehman (Gomalian Students’ Council, Gomal University), Qadeer Baig (WPF), Rabia Manzoor (Rozan Pakistan), Khawaja Kursheed Ahmed (Gaash Welfare Society), Rana Bilal (Youth Parliament of Pakistan, YPP)Shoukat Ali (Individulland) Waqas (Neengarh), Shehzad Khan (Chanan Development Association) Raja Waseem (Press for Peace) and representative from NCHD participated.

At the beginning of the meeting awards were given to the best ten selected volunteers from AJK, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw. The volunteers were selected upon their performance and dedication to Bargad vision and mission in their respective universities and areas. After a tough competition, ten best volunteers were selected. They included: M. sohaib, M. Naveed, M. Dawood Sheik, M. Abukar Siddique, Areeba Butt, M. Umer, Asadullah Fazal, M.Iqbal, Irum Iqbal and Javed Iqbal

Especial thanks to Salma Butt, Sarmad Raza Nayak, Mujahid Raza, Usman Rasheed and Adnan Butt who dedicatedly volunteer Bargad on different occasions.

After training of Master Trainers and Training of Trainers, 4600 girls of 8th, 9th and 10 grade of Tehseel Gujranwala and tehseel wazirabad were trained. In the training a workbook, “Empowering Girls– Transforming Communities” was taught. The main contents are: Self awareness, gender, values, health, family, early marriages, puberty, communication skills, leadership, harassment, decision making and emotions understanding.

The trainings are organized in collaboration with Department of Education Gujranwala and WPF.