GAWE 2024: Youth for Transformative Education

GAWE 2024 carried a youth-led strand alongside its district work. PCE's youth leaders designed and ran activities in their universities, opening with a virtual orientation to equip them to lead, with these objectives: to promote youth leadership by giving young people a platform to voice their perspectives on transformative education; to stimulate critical thinking and constructive dialogue; and to foster creativity and collective action on education.

Youth dialogues: PCE's youth leaders organised dialogues with their peers at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), and International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), focused on what transformative education meant for young people and how education could be made more inclusive and responsive. Drawing on their own experiences, students named the challenges holding them back: inadequate infrastructure, outdated curricula, limited teacher capacity, an overemphasis on theoretical learning, little industry exposure, gender disparities, and unequal access in rural and underprivileged areas. They pointed to significant skill gaps unaligned with market needs and global trends, discussed strategies to counter the violence, discrimination, and stereotypes that limit marginalised groups, and called for accessible infrastructure, learning materials, and tailored teaching for students with disabilities, as well as more platforms to channel their opinions into education policy.

Poster activity: Alongside the dialogues, youth groups designed posters depicting their vision of education transformation and displayed them in a photo session that captured the essence of their advocacy, an exercise in creativity and collective action for a better education sector.

Reflections from our youth leaders: PCE's first cohort of youth leaders led this campaign and shared what it meant to them:

"Participating in the GAWE campaign was an enriching experience. It was an opportunity to test my leadership abilities, which I successfully demonstrated by organizing the activities. I was surprised to find that participants were well aware of educational problems but lacked the right platform to voice them. I am proud that we provided that platform. Additionally, I gained valuable insights into teamwork and the impact of collective action on education." Zaryab Afridi, PCE Youth Leader

"It was indeed a very enlightening activity. I got to know what my fellows actually think and what their concerns are regarding their education. Moreover, it made me realize that our youth is well aware of how they can equip themselves with better education if given the right chance and opportunity." Wardah Aziz, PCE Youth Leader

"My experience was quite enlightening and helped me understand how different minds can come together to generate impactful solutions that contribute to society. It enabled me to polish my leadership skills along with communication and public speaking. Witnessing young people's awareness of educational issues and their proposed solutions was truly inspiring." Ali Hasnain, PCE Youth Leader

"I gained a deeper understanding of the barriers to accessing quality education, the importance of inclusive practices, and the power of collaboration. I learned the value of resilience, which reinforced my commitment to advocate for educational equity. I gained insights into how effective advocacy and public awareness can drive meaningful change." Dur e Nayab, PCE Youth Leader

"This experience was truly transformative, and I am grateful for the opportunity to develop my management skills, learn the value of teamwork, and witness the impact of dedicated efforts on a noble cause. Being part of a group that shares my passion for education and empowerment was a privilege, and I am thankful for the unforgettable memories and valuable lessons." Javed Ali Khan, PCE Youth Leader

"Organizing this campaign was a transformative experience, equipping me with leadership, teamwork, and effective communication skills. The campaign not only helped me develop my skills but also instilled a sense of purpose and fulfilment. I felt a deep connection with my fellows, and the experience left me feeling inspired and motivated to continue making a positive impact." Mehak Alam, PCE Youth Leader