Marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), more than 5,000 students, faculty members and youth leaders gathered at the NED University of Engineering & Technology for a plantation drive and day of pledges emphasising shared global responsibility.
Organised jointly by the United Nations in Pakistan and NED University under the theme ‘Celebrating 80 Years of the United Nations: Shaping a Better Future Together’, the event featured a pledge ceremony, a tree-plantation drive and an exhibition walk showcasing the UN agencies’ work in Pakistan.
Hilde Bergsma, co-chair of the UN Provincial Programme Team (UNPPT) and head of office at the UN resident coordinator’s office in Sindh, said: “For 80 years, the United Nations has stood for peace, dignity and equality for all. Seeing over 5,000 young people here today at NED University gives us renewed confidence that the next generation is ready to carry forward the UN’s mission to shape a better, fairer and more sustainable world.”
Prof Dr Tufail Ahmad Gul, vice chancellor of NED University, welcomed the delegation and student participants and said the celebration reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing not only engineers and innovators, but “responsible global citizens who share the UN’s vision for peace, human rights and sustainable development.”
The highlight was the pledge ceremony, where students stood in solidarity to reaffirm their commitment to the UN Charter’s core principles — peace, equality, human rights and environmental stewardship.
The ensuing tree-plantation drive saw UN officials, faculty and students jointly plant indigenous trees across the campus grounds — an act meant to symbolise collective commitment to a greener and more resilient planet.
Students from various departments toured exhibition stalls set up by UN agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Habitat and UN Women.
Each stall highlighted ongoing initiatives in Pakistan and possibilities for youth engagement: internships, volunteering and careers in the UN system. The event closed on a note of unity and hope with the organisers emphasising that Pakistan’s young generation were key partners in shaping peace, prosperity and sustainable development for the future.