Dialogue Between: Ambassador Mr. Munir Akram and Bisma Qamar.
The Summit of the Future which is quoted by the secretary general as a once in a lifetime opportunity bringing together world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters with the unanimous aim to discuss the pressing challenges the world is facing and to negotiate solutions under the theme of “Multilateral Solutions for a better tomorrow” is taking place in New York starting from the actions days leading to the general assembly debate week.
The ambassador of Pakistan to the United Nations Mr. Munir Akram sat down to shed light on one of the crucial chapters that has had been given significant attention towards towards the pact of the future which is “Youth and Future Generations”.
The interview emphasized on the significance of addressing the route towards bridging the gap between resources and the aspirations of youth and highlighting how this gap can be bridged to ensure that youth are not only given a seat at the table but are heard, acknowledged, and included as well and are able to amplify their own voices through upskilling and capacity building.
Youth and Future Generations: Need for involvement and requirement
Mr.Munir Akram highlighted that it is crucial to provide youth with adequate resources especially in developing countries in fields not limited to economic and social but extends to technological support on a nationwide level. He laid emphasis that in order for the youth to bridge the gap towards their aspirations, the pact of the future aims to strive towards ensuring that resource allocation and need identification is effectively done and that it needs to happen at a regional level first in order to ensure voices are heard at a global level and how they would aim to create more spaces to allow them to be a part.
The road to the Summit of the Future: Whats Next?
His Excellency, Mr. Munir extended heartwarming appreciation to the secretary general on identifying and giving utmost attention to the discussion of Youth and making it officially one of 5 chapters that are aimed outcomes to negotiate over. He mentioned how proposals have been put forward on the creation of a youth fund to resolve this grass root level by making it accessible and allowing youth to explore opportunities. He was happy to state that this chapter had been seen to have the least controversies amongst member states during the preparation of this pact.
The role of cross culture initiatives in Youth Development:
The Ambassador gave his view that participation of youth must be at the national level as they must be able to be equipped first to have meaningful contributions at the international forum to represent not just themselves but their country as well. He told how Pakistan is working on programs such as equipping them on areas such as IT, emerging technology fields and how the green youth movement is a major contributor towards this crucial area. Budget allocation for such programs has been up to 75 billion rupees despite the economic challenges so they ultimately have secure and safe job opportunities as the young people are in fact the majority of Pakistan and the fight for the future is a fight for the youth.
What role does learning and development have to play: Integrating Technology:
As quoted by him “The world of the future is the world of technology” and at both levels national and international the first step towards this working is creating awareness on the need and importance of integrating technology across industries. He stated how we must address the need for including Pakistan in the global digital economy which is emerging as the world economy will be influenced by data and technology and the youth need to be kept transparent and updated with what is happening around?
Mr. Munir put his views forward that this pact of the future is actually an opportunity to put Pakistan on the digital global economy and work its way through programs which foster such impact through the Youth as well.
Message to the Youth from the ambassador on the summit of the future:
The world is an unequal place among countries and within countries even. The fight for equality is actually the fight for and of the Youth and It is high time that their fundamental rights and voices are acknowledged and amplified across every domain whether it is social, economic as this leads to emerging them as leaders who would be able to stand out and lead forums nationally and internationally.
The interviews conclusion was centric towards how lack of adequate resources may be a major hindrance to growth for youth which not only has to financial but even lack of awareness and platforms may cause this, but what really makes one stand apart is going after it and staying consistent in the hope of doing something by one’s self towards all and making it an easier place to live in.
