Bargad Organization for Youth Development

VOLUNTEER WORK DEPLOYMENT REPORT

“Bargad Organization for Youth Development”

Address: 17/18, N Block, Gulberg II, Lahore, Pakistan

VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE PROGRAM (VIS)

Deployment Details
Volunteer Name Aiman Zafar

Registration Number L1F19BSIR0095

Breakup Monday to Friday

(9:00AM-02:00PM)
Start Date 20TH July, 2023

End Date 8th August, 2023

University of Central Punjab

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Bargad Organization for Youth Development

Table of Contents

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Introduction of Volunteer:

My name is Aiman Zafar and I am a graduate of BS International Relations from University of

Central Punjab. I have completed my degree with 3.90 CGPA. As a student of International
Relations, I have a natural knack for political analysis and following Pakistani politics in
terms of local and international scenarios. I am interested in Academic research, reading and
exploring different topics including socio-political happenings around the globe along with
philosophical and psychological questions. I have many skills that I personally recognized during
my academic years including smart working with good learning ability, project management and
complex problem solving with innovative personality.

For the future, I look forward to gain better understanding of domestic and global issues and the
relationship between different cultures and nations of the world. I want to improve my
interpersonal, analytical, negotiation and interpretational skills that can further help me to
understand what’s happening beyond the borders. In terms of Career planning, my initial focus
is to secure a reputable position in Central Superior Services of Pakistan. Along with that, I am
also willing to pursue a doctoral degree in International Relations in order to broaden the
knowledge-based understanding about my field. So far, I have done two internships during my
degree with WWF-Pakistan and Bargad foundation as a Research intern that helped me develop
better research skills with demonstrative qualities

Details:

University Registration Number L1F19BSIR0095

Course and Batch BS- International Relations (2019-2023)

Contact Number 0345-4179017

E-mail ID [email protected]

Organizational Profile:

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Bargad Organization for Youth Development

Bargad Organization of Youth Development is a youth led entity that works primarily for
development and sensitization of youth in Pakistan. It is one of the prominent names in
Pakistan’s civil society institutions. This umbrella organization was formed by a group of
students from Punjab in 1997. Its main offices are in Gujranwala and Lahore. The mission of
Bargad is to promote peace, justice and cooperation among youth in Pakistan with a vision to
evolve them into politically aware, democratic, responsible, and gender sensitive youth
communities that respect freedom, equality, rule of law, and harmony.

Bargad has risen from a student-led grassroots organization to an umbrella organization for
youth groups in Pakistan. After induction of the 18th Amendment to the Pakistani constitution,
with support from the UNFPA, it has helped formulating the Punjab Youth Policy formally
approved on 28th May 2012; while it is providing similar assistance to the provincial
governments of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the State Government of AJK
to develop their youth policies. Prior to this, it developed vision for integrated youth
development in Pakistan in collaboration with the UNFPA. Bargad also pioneered youth track of
peace diplomacy in South Asia involving youth from Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

With a vast volunteer base, Bargad’s projects have been collaborated by more than 54
universities. It is a rare organization that has hosted University Vice Chancellors’ conference at
the national level and has trained university faculty members, especially the younger lot, on more
than 10 occasions on themes ranging from tackling youth extremism, women leadership on
campuses to social research methodology.

Bargad has also generated the biggest pool of youth researches, analysis and data in Pakistan that
also involved youth as participants. The hallmark of the organization is that youth participate in
its projects from design to implementation phases, including the financial planning.

Bargad has a vast network consisting of working hierarchy and some 800 volunteers including
the students of colleges and universities from different parts of the country. Bargad engages with
people from different religious and social backgrounds, marginalized communities and the
privileged people to establish a bridge between those that need help and those that can help.
Bargad is linked with more than 57 institutions of higher education along with the Ministry of
Youth Affairs in Pakistan as it knows the importance of communication and affiliation with
relevant people and groups.

Bargad’s organizational structure is divided into different branches including Program

department, operational department and M&E in which field officers, research officers and
volunteers etc work in their respective domains. These departments are headed by Executive
Director appointed by the Board of Directors of Bargad. Currently, Ms. Sabiha Shaheen is the
Executive Director of Bargad and her team includes Program Director Ms. Saiqa Rani, Program

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Manager Mr. Usman Younus, Program Officer Ms. Rabia Dar and Program Advisor Mr. Iqbal
Haider Butt.

Day and Date Wise Activities:

 Day 1 (20th July, 2023)

My first day at Bargad was all about introductory sessions. I was introduced to people working at
different positions. They told me the purpose of Bargad and how they work to achieve that
purpose. I watched a documentary on Bargad that explained me a lot of things and familiarized
myself with the organization. My supervisor debriefed me about my volunteer work in which we
discussed about my interest regarding the voluntary work that mostly includes research and
analysis.

 Day 2 (21st July, 2023)

I had the opportunity to engage in discussion on Minorities and Hate speech during a planning
meeting for international minority day. The discussion was convened to address the critical issue
of minorities and hate speech in order to foster a collaborative atmosphere to find effective
solutions. Discussions highlighted the impact of hate speech on minority communities,
emphasizing the need for education to promote empathy and tolerance.

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 Day 3 (24th July, 2023)

I volunteered as a research associate on Peace through Sports Social Action Project. The purpose
of this Social Action program was aimed on bringing communities together through the power of
sports. Various meetings and discussions were held in which I was briefed about this project and
how am I supposed to write an analytical report on Peace through sport initiative and what
change will it bring to the society.

 Day 4 (25th July, 2023)

I researched about Peace through Sports Social Action Project and collected data for my report.
Our main focus were different union councils that were shortlisted to be engaged in this initiative
so I studied the dynamics of those union councils to better analyze the data I collected about
Peace through sport initiative. During the research I came to know that there are many
organizations that are promoting such initiatives around the globe.

 Day 5 (26th July, 2023)

As my major interest and expertise was in research work so I was assigned to write an analytical
report on Peace through sports social action project. I analyzed the data and organized the
research that I collected the previous day. The research almost took two days as this project is a
visionary initiative that harnesses the power of sports to promote harmony, mutual
understanding, and conflict resolution within communities and societies.

 Day 6 (27th July, 2023)

The efforts culminated in a comprehensive report that not only synthesized the information but
also presented a clear roadmap for harnessing sports to foster peace. I discussed the report many
times with people involved in the project and improvised it accordingly as per the instructions
given before the final submission.

 Day 7 (31st July, 2023)

A planning meeting was held for 3-Day training workshop with Local Peace Structures (LPS) on
Joint Social Action for Inclusive Society. Entire team was briefed about the duties for the
workshop. I was assigned to write a report about it after experiencing three days with people of
different social backgrounds engaging together as change makers for in inclusive society.

 Day 8 (1st August, 2023)

On the first day of training, participants and Local Peace Structures (LPS) members come
together, breaking the ice through engaging introductions and icebreaker activities that

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encourage networking and open dialogue. With a focus on local dynamics, the day involves
mapping out marginalized groups and their challenges, fostering collaboration and knowledge-
sharing among LPS members.

 Day 9 (2nd August, 2023)

The second day intensifies the workshop's purpose, as teams collaboratively craft a shared vision
for an inclusive society, aligning perspectives and aspirations. In-depth discussions resulted in
the development of comprehensive action strategies, detailing activities, required resources,
timelines, and projected outcomes. Skill-building sessions enhanced participants' leadership,
communication, and conflict resolution abilities.

 Day 10 (3rd August, 2023)

On the final day, the focus shifts to implementation. Teams present their action plans, receiving
feedback for refinement. Workshops cover resource mobilization and monitoring techniques,
ensuring plans are sustainable and effective. Alliances with organizations and stakeholders are
explored, amplifying the impact. Participants reaffirm their commitment to ongoing action,
armed with practical skills and a strong network to drive meaningful change.

 Day 11 (4th August, 2023)

Bargad organized an activity on Inclusivity and Self Reflection for Inclusivity Check in which
we challenged our perspective with different essential questions for a more inclusive journey. It
was designed in a story-telling format to make it more engaging and interesting. The purpose of
this activity was to understand the human interaction and power relations in our society that
shapes the perspective of the world.

 Day 12 (7th August, 2023)

Bargad organized a Planning Meeting on "Emerging Leadership Academy" to promote youth

leadership skills development. I was given the opportunity to be a part of it. The planning
meeting aimed to develop a comprehensive strategy and a work plan to support the Emerging
Leadership Academy for inclusive democratic processes and governance in Pakistan. The
discussion was very enriching and interesting.

 Day 13 (8th August, 2023)

I was assigned a task to develop a survey questioner on youth development and leadership skills
in Pakistan. It was a continuation of the planning meeting that was held a day before on
"Emerging Leadership Academy" to promote youth leadership skills development. In order to

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develop the questioner, I had to do a detailed research on youth development in Pakistan with
reference to leadership skills.

What Social Issues Organization is working on, how?

The mission of Bargad is to promote peace, justice and cooperation among youth in Pakistan
with a vision to evolve them into politically aware, democratic, responsible, and gender sensitive
youth communities that respect freedom, equality, rule of law, and harmony.

Bargad celebrates ‘International Youth Day’ every year to recognize itself as principle force
behind a number of milestones that it achieved throughout its journey. It claims to play a
preeminent role in mobilization of young people in Punjab, especially the women of Gujranwala.
The working areas of Bargad includes youth health, social development of youth, inclusion of
women in society and amplifying women’s voice. Its program of ‘Peace and Youth cooperation’
works as a viable platform to enhance the level of mutual cooperation and interaction among the
youth studying in different academic institutions for common good through various recreational
activities. The efforts of Bargad in launching ‘Youth Track’ in South Asian Region for Peace
building and peace diplomacy are worth mentioning that incorporates collaboration from almost
8000 students and faculty members from 57 universities of Pakistan, 3 universities of India and 2
universities of Afghanistan.

Under this program, an annual “Regional Peace and Youth Cooperation Dialogue” has been held
for effective working and communication among participants. Moreover, with the collaboration
of UNFPA, Bargad has helped the government of Punjab in formulation of the Punjab Youth
Policy that was formally approved in May 2012. It has provided similar assistance to
representative governments of Sindh, Baluchistan, KP and AJK in developing their respective
youth policies.

One of the prominent hallmarks of Bargad is that it has generated the largest pool for the
research and data analysis of youth related projects in which youth itself participates from
planning to implementation at different level including technical designs and financial planning.
Its main goal is to make youth capable enough to play an integral part in the development of
people and the country as a whole. For this purpose Bargad holds training sessions throughout
the year. It has also hosted more than 10 national level conferences of Vice Chancellors from
different universities in order to train faculty members and youth on various themes including the
tackling of youth extremism, women leadership on campuses and youth related social research
projects or methodology.

Bargad’s impact over the years:

 Total Project Implemented: 87 with 35 Donors

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 Total Publications: 39 and 3 Provincial Youth Policies

 Total Training Manuals: 28
 Total MOUs: 30
 Youth-led Social Action Projects (SAPs): 987 with around 63,000 beneficiaries
 Government collaborations with Provincial Youth Affairs Departments, Human Rights &
Minorities Affairs Department, Ministry of Information Technology and
Telecommunication (MOITT), Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority
(TEVTA), Office of the Ombudsperson Punjab

My Social Action Plan (SAP)

In a nation marked by its youthful population and a dynamic socio-political landscape, the need
to channel the energy and potential of its youth towards constructive and inclusive pathways is
paramount. The "Empowering Youth for Peace, Justice, and Cooperation" social action plan
stands as a comprehensive strategy aimed at nurturing politically aware, democratic, responsible,
and gender-sensitive youth communities in Pakistan. By fostering values of freedom, equality,
rule of law, and harmony, this plan envisions a resilient foundation for the country's future
growth and stability.

Vision and Objectives:

The core vision of this action plan is to inspire a generation of Pakistani youth who are actively
engaged in building a peaceful, just, and cooperative society. The objectives include:

1. Political Awareness and Participation: Elevating youth engagement in political processes by

providing them with the necessary knowledge and platforms to participate in governance and
decision-making.

2. Democratic Values: Instilling democratic values, respect for human rights, and understanding
of the rule of law among the youth, nurturing responsible citizens who contribute to a thriving
democracy.

3. Gender Sensitivity: Promoting gender equality and sensitization, breaking down stereotypes,
and empowering young individuals to challenge discriminatory norms.

4. Peace building and Conflict Resolution: Equipping youth with conflict resolution skills,
encouraging them to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and enabling them to contribute to
national and communal harmony.

Implementation Strategy:

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1. Youth Leadership Workshops: Collaborate with educational institutions, community centers,

and NGOs to conduct workshops that enhance political literacy, leadership skills, and conflict
resolution abilities among young individuals.

2. Civic Education Programs: Integrate civic education modules into school curricula to provide
an early foundation in democratic principles, governance structures, and human rights.

3. Gender Equality Initiatives: Organize seminars, dialogues, and awareness campaigns focused
on challenging gender biases and empowering youth to become advocates for gender equality.

4. Community Engagement Projects: Encourage youth to undertake community projects that

address local challenges, fostering a sense of responsibility and cooperation.

5. Youth Parliament and Forums: Establish youth parliaments and forums at local and national
levels, giving young individuals a platform to voice their concerns, propose solutions, and
engage in meaningful debates.

6. Media Literacy and Digital Awareness: Introduce programs that enhance media literacy and
digital awareness, enabling youth to critically evaluate information sources and contribute
responsibly to online discourse.

7. Collaboration with Civil Society: Forge partnerships with civil society organizations to
strengthen the implementation of the plan and ensure a wider reach.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

Regular assessments will be conducted to measure the impact of the action plan. Key
performance indicators include increased youth participation in political processes, heightened
awareness of democratic values and human rights, reduction in gender-based discrimination, and
successful resolution of conflicts through peaceful means. Feedback from participants and
stakeholders will inform refinements and improvements to the plan's execution.

Conclusion:

The "Empowering Youth for Peace, Justice, and Cooperation" social action plan is a proactive
and practical approach to shaping the future of Pakistan by harnessing the potential of its youth.
By nurturing politically aware, democratic, responsible, and gender-sensitive youth communities
that uphold freedom, equality, rule of law, and harmony, this plan aims to contribute
significantly to the nation's progress. Through a comprehensive implementation strategy,
collaboration with stakeholders, and consistent monitoring, this initiative aspires to create a
generation of empowered and informed citizens who play an active role in shaping a better future
for Pakistan.

Working Pictures

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Annexure

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