A teacher can help build tolerant society by inculcating in the students the habit of listening to each other, respecting diversity, and asking questions in a form and manner that does not show animosity. These thoughts came in a discussion in a day-long workshop with over 40 teachers of post-graduate colleges of Sindh and Balochistan, … Read more
Teachers are duty-bound to open multiple vistas to students. They should disassociate their understanding of the world to a single identity, whether ethnic, religious or sectarian. Instead, they should impart students with multiple views, enabling them to think openly. These thoughts came in a discussion in a day-long workshop with around 37 teachers of post-graduate … Read more
Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) successfully engaged around 200 college and madrassa students in a series of joint extra-curricular activities with a view to shed mutually held misperception and stereotypes between the two groups. These activities, spanning six months, were part of the “Hum Ahang” (In Harmony) initiative. Between December 2016 and January 2017, … Read more
Provincial Dialogue Forum – 3 The money collected in the name of charity is often misused for extremist causes, in part because the state lacks capacity to trace terror financing but also because the donor lacks awareness of the end result of the money. While state should enhance its capacity to monitor the money trail … Read more
Provincial Dialogue Forum – 2 It is to the absence of social harmony that non-Muslims in Pakistan are being treated as outsiders not only by radicals but also apparently-moderate individuals. Even in elite institutions, there are numerous instances of students or teachers passing comments that reek of bias and stereotypes against non-Muslims. These thoughts came … Read more
On 25 May 2017, PIPS hosted “Inclusive and Secure Pakistan” seminar, releasing a national policy report on how to counter violent extremism in Pakistan, and discussing debate on the content of that document. Participants of the seminar urged upon the parliamentarians to help confront the issue by instilling a fresh narrative, overseeing policies impacting internal … Read more
To bring about mutual co-existence in a diverse country like Pakistan, it is imperative to listen to all concern stakeholders without resorting to conflict. The mutually-agreed solution to the problem should be founded on logic and rational thinking. Teachers can help attain such level by imparting inquisitive communication skills and promoting curiosity in students, encouraging … Read more
Teachers can help in building a healthy and inclusive society by supporting and building environment in classroom that promotes atmosphere of tolerance and co-existence among diverse background students. Pre-requisite for such an environment is that teachers should be properly trained and well-off in respective knowledge areas. These views came in a workshop for over 30 … Read more
PIPS workshop with teachers and educationists-I Teachers shape societies; a good teacher should be receptive to inclusive opinions. But teachers, influenced by one or other political consideration, end up distorting society, towards parochialism. This was shared in the one-day training program on “The role of teachers in social and religious harmony”, arranged by Pak Institute … Read more
PIPS workshop with teachers and educationists-I For a teacher to be relevant in today’s time, he or she must pay attention to critical intellectual challenges of the country and stay updated with the usage of modern technologies. Only then can they respond to the needs of the students, swaying them away from extremism. These thoughts … Read more