Empowering Pakistani youth

Pakistani youth joins hands to make a difference

The Pakistan Youth Forum (PYF) is the official youth wing under Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), which is registered with the Community Development Authority of Dubai. Formally established in August 2015, PYF focuses on three major areas: education, health and youth empowerment.
In the field of education, PYF aims to identify issues related to Pakistani youth in the educational sector and solve them through effective support programmes.
In the pillar concerning health, PYF works to increase awareness and knowledge for health promotion, prevention and complications associated with common health issues related to the Pakistani community in the UAE.
For youth empowerment, PYF provides a platform for Pakistani youth in the UAE to give youngsters a voice to share ideas and knowledge to be a source for developing an enlightened, empowered and encouraged Pakistani youth towards a better future.
Over the last one year, PYF has conducted a number of campaigns and initiatives, including the youth cultural art competition, disability awareness day campaign, world happiness day campaign, education and career fair, tree plantation activity and various medical campaigns. One of its biggest events was the Youth Convention of Pakistan held in May 2017 with the title 'Celebrating Pakistan'. An audience of 300-plus gathered to discuss the numerous ways to give back to the world, as Pakistanis and human beings, using the art of our creativity, skills and knowledge. The conference saw the likes of Waseem Badami, Todd Shea and Faiza Saleem.
Some of the other community initiatives organised by the youth forum were tree plantation activity for the Pakistani community by students of Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistan School Dubai and Pakistani Islamia Secondary School Sharjah to commemorate 'Year of Giving' by giving to the environment.
Another important event was the Education and Career Fair on Apri 29, 2017 that saw PYF provide a platform where professionals can meet and talk to school students that may help them explore more options with regards to choosing a career line or even selecting subjects for their upcoming years. Furthermore, development of skills, passion and hobbies was also an integral part of the entire event. The event was attended by 200-plus Pakistani students from all over the UAE.
With 2018 declared as the 'Year of Zayed', PYF also organised a painting and photography competition at the Pakistani schools and the general public on the theme: 'Culture of UAE'. The event was opened by Obaid Al Falasi, VP of connection services DEWA and was attended by over 150 people. The aim of the event was to explore the young artists' creativity and skill whilst portraying their passion for their second home the UAE and its founding father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
PYF was originally founded by Dr. Jameela Haq Chowdry in 2015 and now is being run by its second executive board. PYF currently has around 35 members which consist of five board members and the rest is the organising committee. The chairperson of PYF is Dr. Umar Munir Aryan; the general secretary is Zuha Rizvi; the post of joint secretary is held by Umar Khattab.
-saman@khaleejtimes.com