5 days ‘Youth as an Agent Behaviour Change’ Art Festival Concludes

Quetta: If we want to promote the change of mind-sets and behaviours in community the key role is played by youth. Youth engagement is a strategic vehicle for creating a better world said by Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC) Major (R) Mohammad Fazil Durrani in closing ceremony of 5 days YABC (Youth as an Agent Behaviour Change) camp Art Festival.

PRC Youth & Volunteer Department conducted Art Event among students of inter-universities and Art Gallery Hazara Community Quetta under the subject ‘Youth & Migration’ & YABC Camp participated by youth of all around the province. These activities are linked to the IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies) #StopIndifference campaign. Today 1 of every 113 people on earth is an asylum seeker, internally displaced, or refugee. In the 2015, 65.3 million people were forcibly displaced, with 21.3 million of them seeking refuge outside of their country, highest number since the 90’, with 51 present being children and youth. Addressing indifference and xenophobia are main focus of PRC this year. These behaviours increase the sufferings of those who are already facing great challenges in their lives.

Speaking to the ceremony Chief Guest Head UNHCR Balochistan Dinesh Sherestha said that the subject of PRC youth-led activities is the very much close to the heart of UNHCR. Being a live member of Red Cross Movement he is aware of the importance of this group. Many things and mishaps are happening around and Red Crescent is well equipped to help the people.

Deputy Directory Youth & Volunteer PRC Rubina Saeed saidthat in order to promote a culture of nonviolence and peace outside. It is essential to pursue peace and harmony inside, within ourselves. To this purpose, we have integrated inner arts, breathing, relaxation, yoga & movement. YABC (Youth as an Agent Behaviour Change) initiative, seeking to equip youth with values and skills needed to embody the change we would like to see in the world and therefore inspire a positive transformation of mindsets, attitudes and behaviours in favour of a culture of non-violence and peace within their local communities.

Staff Reporter

Published in The Balochistan Point on August 28, 2016