13th Annual Convention (2022) - Build Back Better: Education for Equity During Emergencies and Beyond

Where: Islamabad, When: December 2022

Intro:

Held in the wake of the 2022 floods, the 13th Annual Convention asked how climate change is reshaping education outcomes and how, together, Pakistan can build a disaster-resilient, inclusive system.

Session 1: Policy discussion: climate, emergencies & resilient education 

Moderated by Zehra Arshad, National Coordinator, PCE, the esteemed panelists included: Dr. Moizza B. Sarwar (Research Fellow, ODI Global); Khalid Naeem (Director General (Rtd.), Directorate General of Special Education); Ronilda (Co-Director, DepEd Philippines); Areebah Shahid (Executive Director, PYCA); Muhammad Ali Kemal (Chief, SDG Unit); and Mehnaz Akbar Aziz (MNA). The panel argued that implementing Article 25-A must anchor the state's priorities, that adapting to environmental shocks isn't enough without deeper change in mindsets, and that marginalised communities need far greater representation in policymaking — with transparency in the distribution of relief and education funds.

Session 2: Education, Emergencies and Uncertainty - Youth Participation in Decision-making 

Moderated by Aymen Babar (Program Coordinator–Advocacy & Research, PCE) the panelists included: Priyanka Pal (Youth Coordinator, ASPBAE); Hassan Dajana (Program Manager, Amal Academy); Arooj Khalid (Senior Associate, The Citizen's Foundation); and Kinza Jamal (Coordinator, YP Foundation). Young participants named the near-absence of youth representation as their central demand, showed acute awareness of climate change, and agreed to build a youth constituency to tackle education-sector issues. 

Alongside the convention — Civil Society Learning Event 

• see Capacity Building & Trainings

Livestream, photo gallery,