ISLAMABAD, DEC 31 /DNA/: Accountability Lab Pakistan (ALP) organized a dialogue on Inclusive Governance and Youth Engagement at Rawalpindi Women University (RWU) on Tuesday. The dialogue was held under the Integrity Innovation Lab initiative, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). It brought together students, youth leaders, and senior public sector professionals for an open and inclusive discussion on governance and civic participation.
The dialogue aimed to promote youth voices in governance and create direct engagement between young people and public decision makers. Through a panel discussion followed by an interactive question and answer session, participants explored how youth can play a more active role in shaping inclusive policies, promoting integrity in public institutions, and contributing to accountable governance processes. Students shared their experiences, concerns, and expectations, making the discussion both relevant and grounded.
The Integrity Innovation Lab focuses on advancing ethical and inclusive governance by promoting citizen centered approaches, including design thinking. The dialogue reflected this approach by encouraging open conversations, active listening, and co creation between institutions and young citizens. The panel included speakers from the development, education, and government sectors, who shared their perspectives while engaging directly with students.
While sharing her views, Javeria Masood, a development practitioner from UNDP, shared that young people remain excluded due to structural barriers, including limited awareness of their rights and responsibilities, lack of skills and unemployment. Highlighting recent crises, she recalled the pivotal role youth played during the COVID 19 pandemic, floods, and other emergencies. She stressed the importance of creating enabling environments for youth by easing business registration processes and supporting entrepreneurship and startup initiatives.
During the panel discussion, Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director of the Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC), highlighted the gap between rhetoric and action on inclusivity. He noted that youth are often treated as beneficiaries rather than active partners. He stressed that education systems and policies must be updated to remain flexible and relevant. He also emphasized the need to encourage critical thinking, promote ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology, and ensure accessibility and transparency in policymaking.
Addressing the participants, Mukhtar Paras, Joint Secretary at the Cabinet Division, emphasized the importance of decentralization in strengthening inclusive governance. He noted that inclusive systems promote stability, which supports growth. Highlighting that women constitute more than half the population and youth more than 60%, he questioned whether these groups are meaningfully represented in policy processes. He stressed the need to strengthen local governance, promote youth participation in political parties and parliamentary processes, and ensure that inclusivity is embedded in governance structures to support sustainable development.
Panelists highlighted the importance of meaningful youth engagement in policy processes and emphasized the need for inclusive and transparent governance practices. They encouraged students to remain informed, engaged, and proactive in civic spaces.
The dialogue concluded with remarks by Dr. Baqir Husnain, Director, Quality Enhancement and External Linkages, RWU, who reaffirmed the university’s commitment to building stronger connections between institutions and youth, and to promoting transparent and accountable governance in Pakistan.
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