Youth symposium held at Swat varsity

PESHAWAR: The Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (KPCVE) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in collaboration with the Department of Media & Communication Studies at University of Swat, organised a Youth Symposium on Perception Management, National Integration, and Entrepreneurship.

The event was meant to engage youth in discussions on promoting unity and economic development. Kashif Irshad, senior manager of KPCVE, stressed the need for policymakers and experts to discuss critical strategies for fostering unity and economic development among the youth.

“Fostering partnerships between youth organisations, government, NGOs, and international bodies can amplify the impact of youth-led peace initiatives,” said Kashif Irshad.

Manager KPCVE Dr Irfan Ullah, while addressing the symposium, said that implementing educational programmes that promote peace, tolerance, and conflict resolution was crucial for peace and tolerance in society.

He said that universities could play a vital role in integrating peace studies into their curricula to help young people understand the root causes of violence and the importance of peace.Dr Jamal Ud Din, Head of the Department of Media & Communication Studies, highlighted the significance of youth in fostering a peaceful and economically vibrant society through perception management, grand narratives, and consensus-building.

The symposium featured interactive sessions on perception management, entrepreneurship training, and networking opportunities, leading to actionable recommendations for integrating these themes into the university curriculum and establishing ongoing youth forums and mentorship programmes.

Principal Research Officer KPCVE Sahar Ali Khan, Ibrahim Shah, Aimal Riaz Khan, and a large number of students and faculty members from the University of Swat participated in the symposium.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Sher concluded the event with his speech, stating that the Muslim community is known for its emphasis on peace and harmony, and the University of Swat is committed to promote peace, unity, and economic empowerment.He thanked the Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism KP and all the participants for their contributions in the event.