ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott has stressed the need for empowering the youth to tackle challenges, including climate change, being faced by Pakistan.

The UK high commissioner was speaking at an event organised by the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) to celebrate the International Youth Day on Tuesday.

The event marked the role of youth in addressing challenges faced by Pakistan today through their involvement, says a press release issued by the VSO.

Government representatives, international donors and civil society members attended the event.

Country Representative of the VSO Seher Afsheen spoke about the organisation’s objectives to formalise and improve existing volunteer policy. She underscored the invaluable support provided by the UK.

“Education is vital for empowering youth for contributing to the nation’s development prospects,” she added.

Closing the session, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said empowering Pakistan’s youth to lead the response to today’s challenges, including tackling climate change, could not be more important.

Deputy Secretary for Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Dr Mohammad Ali Malik also attend the event with other development partners.

The speakers highlighted the impact of climate change and how youth could play a positive role in climate change adaptation and resilient education.

The VSO is the world’s leading international development charity that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone.

The VSO has been working in Pakistan since 1987 and during these three decades it has engaged the skills and expertise of 300 international volunteers and over 3,000 national and community volunteers to support livelihood, education, participation, governance, resilience, and youthinitiatives.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2023