In today’s digital age, where wide information is readily accessible, students should be taught how to think critically for themselves. This way, not only will they seek solutions to the pressing issues around them, but they will also be mindful of narrow and parochial explanations of the same issues. That is the path to a … Read more
Teachers can build a tolerant future by equipping students with tools that open their minds to diverse opinions, beyond narrow confines. This way, they will not only let accept each other, but also enable them to find answers to critical intellectual questions of the country. This is the way forward. These thoughts came in a … Read more
Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank conducted an open seminar on the ‘Changing Scenario in the Middle East and its Impact on Pakistan’ at Islamabad Hotel. Academics, scholars, journalists, and diplomats attended the seminar, which was chaired by Pakistan’s foreign minister and foreign secretary, Inamul Haq. Speakers included senior research scholars, … Read more
A teacher can sow the seeds of a forward-looking nation in today’s world, by inculcating the spirit of social harmony in the students and equipping them with inquisitive mind open to probe the unexplored. These thoughts came in a discussion in a day-long dialogue, on July 24, 2017, with over 40 teachers of universities of … Read more
A teacher can help build tolerant society by inculcating in the students the habit of listening to each other, respecting diversity, and asking questions in a form and manner that does not show animosity. These thoughts came in a discussion in a day-long workshop with over 40 teachers of post-graduate colleges of Sindh and Balochistan, … Read more
Teachers are duty-bound to open multiple vistas to students. They should disassociate their understanding of the world to a single identity, whether ethnic, religious or sectarian. Instead, they should impart students with multiple views, enabling them to think openly. These thoughts came in a discussion in a day-long workshop with around 37 teachers of post-graduate … Read more
Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) successfully engaged around 200 college and madrassa students in a series of joint extra-curricular activities with a view to shed mutually held misperception and stereotypes between the two groups. These activities, spanning six months, were part of the “Hum Ahang” (In Harmony) initiative. Between December 2016 and January 2017, … Read more
Provincial Dialogue Forum – 3 The money collected in the name of charity is often misused for extremist causes, in part because the state lacks capacity to trace terror financing but also because the donor lacks awareness of the end result of the money. While state should enhance its capacity to monitor the money trail … Read more
Provincial Dialogue Forum – 2 It is to the absence of social harmony that non-Muslims in Pakistan are being treated as outsiders not only by radicals but also apparently-moderate individuals. Even in elite institutions, there are numerous instances of students or teachers passing comments that reek of bias and stereotypes against non-Muslims. These thoughts came … Read more
Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) has hosted a series of education and awareness workshops on the code of ethics for Pakistani media, in the four provincial capitals and Islamabad. The learning activity, held at press clubs of the respective cities, disseminated the “Code of Ethics for Pakistani Media” and generated debate on it. Pakistan Coalition of … Read more