Following the Human Development Report 2017, Pakistan ranks among the youngest countries in the world and sixty four percent of its population comprises young people. The report foresees it as an incredible opportunity in the history of Pakistan to use this demographic transition to lay the foundation of a land driven by empowered individuals. Pakistan Partnership Initiative acknowledges this learning and has dedicated “Development of Youth and Children” as one of the key thematic priorities. Our efforts to work with young people and for young people have diverse approaches. Somewhere we engage them at different organizational levels through Internships, youth challenge, active church membership programs etc, other times we bring skills and technical support to them to help them recognize and grow with their giftings. Other times, there is motivation, mentorship, inspiration, consultation, discussion financial support to aid in higher education, etc. Our major components contributing to youth and children development include:

Pakistan Emerging Leaders’ Summit – Annual summit, inspired by South Asian Emerging Leaders’ Summit was introduced for Pakistani young people in 2006 with objective to brining experience, knowledge and fresh talent at one platform to make an effective combination of resources that we have as community and Pakistani nation. Since then, 6 summits have successfully been taken place and have encouraged and inspired 100s of young people across Pakistan to move out of their comfort zone and expand their horizon to live a purposeful life.

Youth Challenge – To encourage self-development initiative and to sensitize the young people on their surroundings and the potential part they can play in bringing a positive progressive transformation, our consortiums have laid the foundation. Split group of young people is put into learning to coordinate with different stakeholders, learn the pressing need of their communities, raise local funds and make best possible attempts to address the identified challenge with possible impact and lasting solution.

Business Grants and Scholarship Programs – One standalone project dedicated to the higher education needs of young people with due involvement of Church and relevant stakeholders has reached nearly 400 individuals so far. With entrepreneurship grants and skills, more than 1000 young people have been reached and served to take the learnings and ideas to create multiplier effect within their respective communities.

Fact Findings – 

According to the study carried out by PPI, 61% of youth aged 18-29 are unemployed and  62% of these youth are not even searching for employment.

As er ILO estimates, Unemployment between the ages of 15 and 242, estimated for Pakistan for the year 2018, stood at 10.8 percent.

The latest Global Youth Development Index (YDI) report places Pakistan at 154 amongst 183 countries with a score of 0.470, as the only non- African country amongst the ten lowest-ranked Commonwealth countries. – Pakistan National Human Development Report

Christian youth feel excluded, disillusioned, and unsupported in their educational and career decisions. The overwhelming majority of Christian youth study in low-quality schools. Dropout rates are very high and fewer than 2.6% of students complete higher education. As a result, they have poor job prospects and often do not have the basic qualifications necessary to apply for positions set aside for minorities.  — Challenges and Opportunities for Christian Youth in Pakistan

The situation of the young people in the country is not uniform, with deteriorating conditions for religious minorities, in particular. During the consultations with the youth carried out in all the four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan by UNDP, 2017, the youth highlighted that there was a need to focus on religious tolerance and harmony and that the minorities should be treated as equal Pakistanis without being considered as non-patriotic. 

Key problems faced by young people include lack of good education, low motivation leading to dropping out of school, not being interested in themselves, no support financially from family, the fee structure of missionary schools is unaffordable. Moreover, parents themselves are uneducated.   — Challenges and Opportunities for Christian Youth in Pakistan