Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja attended the Third Regional Seminar for the Asia-Pacific Region Parliaments on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals jointly organized by the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Inter-parliamentary union. To address the rising issue of inequality SAPM moderated the session on the promotion of quality education and decent work for youth. Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan - Mr. Zahid Akram Durrani, Ms. Rabia Razzaque, Senior Programme Officer, ILO Pakistan Office, and Ms. Zeb Jaffar were part of the plenary discussion on the concerned topic. In her opening remarks, Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted that the Asia Pacific is home to 55 percent of the world’s young population. Asia Pacific region has the highest ratio of young labor force participation. But the number of employment opportunities is relatively low. Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that employment opportunities are directly linked with the quality of education. Therefore, to raise the bar of employment opportunities we must focus on improving the quality of education keeping in view the future trends. She also highlighted the work of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme for ensuring better learning opportunities in Pakistan. Panelists also suggested different methods for improving the quality of education. Participants highlighted the need of ensuring equal opportunities and quality education for every young individual irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, wealth, and political beliefs. The panel discussion concluded with productive ideas to counter the rising impact of poverty on the young population all over the globe. As 43 percent of the global youth labor force is either unemployed or trapped in working poverty. Participants also talked about the role of parliamentarians in the betterment of youth. ********
PREVIOUS NEXT
