Youth can play role against extremism: survey Saturday, December 12, 2009

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=212842

Islamabad

The overwhelming majority of 85.4 per cent believe that Pakistani youth can play a constructive role in combating extremism in the society.

This was revealed in two survey reports titled ŒCivic Health of Pakistani Youth¹ and ŒYouth Review of Counter Extremism Policy in Pakistan¹ conducted by Centre for Civic Education.

Majority of the youth (64.5 per cent) are unaware about the existence of any formal youth policy. Only 35.5 per cent know that the government has recently approved a policy for youth.

Out of the 35.5 per cent who knew about the youth policy only 11.4 per cent had a chance to have read the draft of the youth policy.

While national politics appear to be the significant part if youth¹s media diet as 57.1 per cent of them prefer to read about national politics. However, 48.8 per cent are interested in entertainment news as well as 33.3 per cent like to read about international affairs.

Dissection of data along the gender line reveals that majority of male
(65.1 per cent) are fond of entertainment news. There are some who equally like to read news about national politics, international affairs as well as entertainment. Liking for national political news increases from 40.1 per cent in less than 20 years age group to 69.5 per cent in the above 24 years.

Pakistani youth consume media in more than one language.

However, Urdu remains the most favourite language as 75.8 per cent like Urdu media. English is preferred by 46.1 per cent, followed by Sindhi with 8 per cent and Pashto 7.8 per cent. Low on the youth choice list is the media in Punjabi with 3.2 per cent and Balochi with
2.3 per cent.

An amazing majority of youth (72.6 per cent) are willing to get involved in volunteerism. Again male youth are more eager to do voluntary work than females, as 73.7 per cent male against 71.5 per cent female are willing to be engaged in volunteerism.

The survey gathered 1,855 responses from thirteen districts across the country. The questionnaire addressed the themes of voice, vote and volunteerism. Two additional questions were included on the theme of extremism in Pakistan and what role, if any, youth can play to counter it.

The research will help policy makers understand ideas, opinions and trends among Pakistani youth.

To read the full reports, please click here or go to www.civiceducation.org