British Council and Education Above All Unite for Pakistan’s Youth Leadership and Climate Action”

• The Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI) was formally launched at the 11th WISE Summit in Doha, Qatar, on November 28, 2023, through a partnership between the British Council Pakistan and Education Above All.
• PYLI, a three-year project led by the British Council Pakistan, aims to promote social and ethical values, diversity, and inclusive climate action among the youth of Pakistan, with the support of the Government of Pakistan’s Youth Development Programme, UNDP Pakistan, local CSOs, and public universities. The initiative is co-funded by Education Above All Foundation’s “Reach Out to Asia” (ROTA) program under their “Global Citizenship Education for Climate Action” (GCED) initiative.
• Distinguished figures such as James Hampson (Country Director, British Council Pakistan), Mr. Abdullah Al Abdulla (Executive Director, Reach Out to Asia), and Professor Dr. Zia Ul Qayyum (Executive Director, Higher Education Commission Pakistan) attended the signing ceremony and panel discussion, underscoring the significance of PYLI in fostering responsible youth leadership and addressing climate challenges in Pakistan.

Doha, Qatar, November 28, 2023 – In a momentous development at the 11th World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Summit held in Doha on November 28, 2023, the British Council Pakistan and Education Above All joined hands to inaugurate a dynamic youth-focused initiative known as the Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI).

The Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI) is a visionary three-year undertaking spearheaded by the British Council Pakistan, set to be implemented in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan’s Youth Development Programme, UNDP Pakistan, local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and public universities. This transformative project has received co-funding from the Education Above All Foundation’s “Reach Out to Asia” (ROTA) program, as part of their “Global Citizenship Education for Climate Action” (GCED) initiative.

PYLI’s overarching mission is to empower the youth of Pakistan with a profound awareness of social and ethical values, fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect for diversity. By inspiring inclusive and responsible actions, the initiative aims to embolden young women and men to influence sustainable development agendas at local, national, and global levels, with a particular focus on climate action. Recognizing the fundamental importance of enhancing youth education, PYLI seeks to lay a robust foundation for a more prosperous and environmentally friendly society by educating successive generations of Pakistanis.

Among the esteemed partners collaborating with PYLI in Pakistan are the Government of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Youth Programme, and the Higher Education Commission, alongside organizations such as UNDP, WaterAid, Viamo, and ISD UK.

As a part of the momentous occasion, a panel discussion was organized to address the challenges confronting the youth in Pakistan, the opportunities offered by the Government of Pakistan and Education Above All, and the potential of Artificial Intelligence to augment these opportunities.

James Hampson, Country Director of British Council Pakistan, expressed, “The Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative will empower young individuals to shape their destinies as leaders of tomorrow, particularly in the face of the pressing climate crisis. The British Council is honored to once again collaborate with Education Above All and Reach Out to Asia on this transformative endeavor.”

Mr. Abdullah Al Abdulla, Executive Director of Reach Out to Asia, voiced his enthusiasm, stating, “Education Above All, through its ROTA Programme, is delighted to partner with British Council Pakistan to deliver such an innovative project aimed at building the capacity of Pakistani youth to take inclusive climate actions in their communities. We are confident that this project will achieve meaningful and sustainable impact.”

Professor Dr. Zia Ul Qayyum, Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission Pakistan, emphasized the global relevance of climate issues, stating, “Climate issues extend beyond Pakistan, affecting the entire world. We are actively engaging the youth through various initiatives, with the British Council collaborating on these efforts. Notably, the Green Youth Movement, a prominent project led by HEC, has established Green Youth Movement clubs in 137 universities.”

Dr. Tareq Al Bakri, Reach Out to Asia’s program specialist, conveyed his anticipation for this vital project and its role in supporting Pakistani youth as they address the adverse effects of climate change in their communities. He expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts between the British Council, government bodies, CSOs, schools, and colleges will bring about a significant positive impact in the realm of climate action within the country.