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Youth
Capacities for Rule of Law and Good Governance |
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The Centre for Civic Education Pakistan has launched an exciting
civic education program for university students. The project
aims to promote rule of law and good governance in Pakistan.
Twenty university teachers and sixty selected students from 20
public and private universities across Pakistan and Azad Jammu
and Kashmir are participating in the program. More |
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Civic education corner stone
for prosperous, peaceful society |
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Civic Education is the corner stone for building a prosperous
and peaceful society and should be included in the textbooks
from primary to postgraduate levels. This was the crux of a one
day Interactive Seminar on Citizenship Education in Pakistan
arranged by the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan (CCEP) for
students of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Islamabad.
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School kids highlight problems
of rural Islamabad |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan (CCEP) with support from the Global Opportunities Fund Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Government arranged a showcase ceremony of Project Citizen Pakistan to display work of three best school from Islamabad. Dr. Shehnaz Anjum Riaz, Director Schools (Male) of the Federal Directorate of Education, renowned child rights campaigner Mr. Anis Jilani, and famous writer and journalist Jami Chandio were the guests of honor on the occasion. More |
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Put people first for strong
Pakistan |
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Renowned educationist, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy while outlining his vision for Pakistan exhorted that all state institutions should work for the betterment of citizens. Delivesring lecture on “Does Pakistan Need a New Vision” here on Monday and a function arranged by Centre for Civic Education to celebrate first ever International Day of Democracy, Dr. Hoodbhoy said, “we have to re-think our foreign policy and instead of adventurous desires we would have to focus on our people.” More |
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Civic
Courage Award-2007 |
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Centre for Civic Education presented Civic Courage Award- 2007 to Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy for his vision, commitment and contributions for Pakistani society. Prominent human rights activist, I. A. Rehman presented the award at a ceremony held in Islamabad.
Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy is chairman and professor of physics at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad where has taught for over 34 years. More |
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Democracy Quiz Competition |
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Centre for Civic Education in collaboration with the
United Nations Information Centre, Islamabad organized
a Democracy Quiz Competition among the university
students to commemorate International Day of
Democracy.
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Results of Essay Writing
Competition on Democracy |
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Centre
for Civic Education Pakistan has announced the results
of National Essay Writing Competition on “Democracy and
Democratic Citizenship.” Students of thirteen public
and private universities from all over the country
participated in the contest.
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Student
Unions: a platform for democratic civic education |
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Students of various universities
have demanded immediate restoration of Student Unions to
provide a platform for democratic civic education to youth.
“Student Unions should provide knowledge about democratic
system of the country and offer participatory skills to young
people so that they can become active and effective citizens”,
they exhorted.
Participating in a consultation on Student Unions-a platform for
civic education arranged by Centre for Civic Education they
said.
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Youth not satisfied with Draft
Youth Policy |
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Participants of a three-day Youth Leadership Course observed
that the draft youth policy shows that the Ministry of Youth
Affairs considers youth a cosmetic category rather than real
future of the country.
Analyzing the draft youth policy, they said that the draft
policy is full of rhetoric and does not offer much to the vast
majority of youth, particularly young women, living in the rural
areas of the country. More |
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Participation is key to the
success in democracy |
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Participation
is key to the success of democracy and it is important for
Pakistan’s future, said Ray Kyles, Deputy High Commissioner of
United Kingdom. Addressing as chief guest at the Showcase
ceremony of Project Citizen Pakistan, arranged by Centre for
Civic Education Pakistan (CCE), he said democracy will only get
stronger in Pakistan if the individual stands up to be counted.
“We are ready to help you build the democracy you want and
deserve, but it is up to the people to make it a success,” More |
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Civic Journalism for Effective
Citizenship |
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It is the
responsibility of the media to ensure that the people had a
chance to have their voices heard, said Aidan Liddle, Head of
Press and Public Affairs Section of British High Commission.
Addressing at the concluding session of a two-day workshop on
Civic Journalism for Effective Citizenship arranged by Centre
for Civic Education, he said the media should provide a platform
for the individuals to voice their concerns. Aidan-Liddle argued
that democracy means participation of the people.
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Give Politics a Chance Say Civil
Society Activists |
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“Give politics a chance” was the consensus among leading
representatives of civil society and political parties at a
forum held in Islamabad on Wednesday where they agreed that the
task ahead is to restore democratic politics as a legitimate way
for Pakistan to govern itself after years of vilification and
attacks on political parties by successive military
dictatorships. More |
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Challenges and Chances for
Democracy in Pakistan |
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Carl
Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy,
has said that spotlight of global democratic experience is on
Pakistan today because there is an opportunity for democratic
growth by virtue of the situation being created. Speaking at a
roundtable “Challenges and Chances for Democracy in Pakistan”,
arranged by the Centre for Civic Education, he said that
Pakistan stood at a critical moment with transition and chaos as
two possible outcomes which would have a global effect.
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The Freedom of
Information Ordinance 2002:
5-Years on: window yet to be
opened |
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Five years have passed since the Freedom of Information Ordinance (FIO) was promulgated on October 26th 2002. The independent evaluation finds that the law lacks political will and a parliamentary ownership since the past five years; the FIO-2002 has not been pursued as a pro-active priority. Through this report, the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan attempts to determine what practical steps have been taken by the government since the enforcement of the Ordinance to promote a culture of access to information in Pakistan Read Report |
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Citizens
must reclaim public sphere |
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Enlisting
three vital steps to reclaim civic society in Pakistan, renowned
political scientist, Dr. Rasul Buksh Rais stressed to redefine
civil-military relationship, reconsider relationship of
religion with the state and evolve democratic mechanism
to deal with ethnic and religious minorities. Addressing
at a panel discussion on “Public Sphere for Civic
Action? Squeezing, Expanding or Changing?,” on the
second day of the National Conference on Active
Citizenship by the Center for Civic Education Pakistan,.”
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National Conference on Active
Citizenship |
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Renowned
human rights activist, I. A. Rehman has said that the civil
society’s ability to constructively participate in the affairs
of the country is increasingly squeezing. “Citizen’s are
alienated and are losing their trust in their ability to bring
about meaningful change” he added.
Delivering
keynote address on Civic Courage in Pakistan at National
Conference on Active Citizenship arranged by the Centre for
Civic Education Pakistan with support from National Endowment
for Democracy, I. A. Rehman said, “finally the 160 million
citizens of Pakistan will be successful in the endeavours to
realize dream of people-centered Pakistan.
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Civic Education for Better
Future |
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Lord
Malloch-Brown, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
office of the UK government, said that civic education has the
answers to community problems.
Speaking at the conclusion of a two days teachers’
training workshop of Project Citizen Pakistan, arranged
by the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan with support
from the Global Opportunities Fund, Foreign and
Commonwealth office of the UK government, he admired the
concept of Project Citizen Pakistan that links.
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| Information: oxygen for good
governance |
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Citizens need
information to follow and scrutinize the actions of the
government. Accurate and timely information enables them to have
a meaningful say in decision-making processes and enhances their
ability to hold the government accountable.
Globally the idea of citizens’ right to know is gaining grounds
as a proactive concern and today more than 57 countries of the
world, including Pakistan have formally acknowledged it by
adopting Freedom of Information laws. Resultantly the culture of
openness is replacing the centuries old practices of secrecy in
the arena of governance. More |
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Leadership Development Course
for Youth |
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Centre
for Civic Education Pakistan (CCE) with support from National
Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) has
launched Leadership Development Course for Youth. Twenty young
leaders from diverse fields like academia, business, journalism,
law and civic sector hailing from different parts of Pakistan
have been selected through a competitive process to participate
in the course. More |
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Youth Training |
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The first training workshop of Leadership
Development Course for Youth was held in Islamabad from
May 25-27, 2007. Mr. Zafarullah Khan, executive director
of CCE, facilitated the course. The sessions were
designed to discuss democracy as a system of governance,
participatory culture and pluralist mindset. Political
system (polity, parties, the Parliament and public
policies) in Pakistan and imperatives of active
citizenship were also part of the course contents.
Special sessions on effective communication skills,
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and research methodology for conducting survey/opinion
polls were embedded in the program. The participants of
the course will be conducting survey to study the causes
of non-engagement among Pakistani Youth. Mr. Emil Atanasovski, Youth Program Manager, of National
Democratic Institute of International Affairs on this
occasion talked about the role of youth in promoting
participation in political processes. |
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Guest Lecture: Pakistan an open
but less democratic society |
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Renowned
social scientist Dr. Saeed Shafqat delivered a lecture on “Role
of Youth in a Democratic Society” at Leadership Development
Course for Youth. Dr. Shafqat said Pakistani society is a belief
driven society where beliefs are dominant and research is not
given much importance. Pakistani society is a non-democratic but
an open society where people very frankly give their views about
issues, he added. More |
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Young Leaders look at the
working of political parties |
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The
participants of Leadership Development Course for Youth visited
central secretariats of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan
Muslim League in Islamabad. At the PPP central secretariat,
Senators Safdar Abbasi and Dr. Babar Awan and staff of the
secretariat welcomed them. The PPP Senators briefed them about
their party structure, functioning and PPP policies and stand on
different issues. More |
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School kids exhibit amazing public
policy formulation skills |
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Middle grade students of three selected schools came up with creative solutions to solve increasing traffic problems in Rawalpindi. “Driving license should be issued only after training and proper driving test. Secondly the culture of one car for every student must end with introduction of decent school transport,” they suggested.“I am glad to see the work done by young students. The city district government will try to translate student's ideas into policy action,” promised Raja Javed Ikhlas, District Nazim Rawalpindi, More |
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School kids
bring hope to their community |
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Middle grade students of Islamabad worked on 32 amazing projects and came up with innovative solutions to community problems like waste disposal, clean drinking water, encroachment on roads and footpaths, and counterfeit medicines. “Young students work is like brining hope to their communities and making best use of their creative potential,” said Kamran Lashari, chairman Capital Development Authority, More |
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School kids suggest public policy options |
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Middle grade students of five selected public schools exhibited amazing policy formulation skills for solution of problems of clean drinking water, increasing street crimes, hazards of kite flying, garbage disposal and growing unemployment in Lahore, at a ceremony arranged by the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan. More
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Students
suggest solutions to community problems |
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Students
of five selected schools presented their project
portfolios, highlighting their problems and solution
through charts. The project was implemented by Centre
for Civic Education Pakistan in 58 selected public and
private schools of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and
Peshawar, involving about 8000 students
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Youth
participation in democratic process |
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Youth active participation in democratic processes can provide a stimulus for solving people's problems, said Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, deputy chairman of the National Volunteer Movement while speaking as chief guest at the show case ceremony of Project Citizen Pakistan for Youth, arranged by the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan (CCEP) at Muhammad Ali Jinnah University. More |
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Political parties: floating
with fragile funding |
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Since 2004
Centre for Civic Education Pakistan has been campaigning for
funding reforms for political parties and strongly advocating
for checks on abuse of money in politics. The CCE has prepared a
Civic Brief to portray the financial health of major political
parties during 2005-2006. The next General Elections
constitutionally due in 2008 are a timely occasion to introduce
funding reforms so that Pakistani democracy evolves to a point
where the participation of political parties does not depend on
the size of their resources.
The Centre for
Civic Education seeks support from political parties, opinion
leaders, civil society, and media, to highlight the issue and
join hands to develop and support workable reforms.
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Political Parties in South
Asia: The Challenge of Change |
South Asia Regional Report Based on research and dialogue with
political parties
More
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To download right click on the link and
click save target as, and then click save |
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Civitas Declaration |
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10th Annual World Congress •
Warsaw, Poland • May 2006
More
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To download right click on the link and
click save target as, and then click save |
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Educating the Young for Active
Citizenship |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan has launched
Project Citizen Pakistan in 58 (public and
private)
schools of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar. Eight
youth groups have been involved to promote the concept of active
citizenship among out of school young people.
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Project Citizen Pakistan launched
in Lahore |
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Mian
Imran Masood, Minister of Education Punjab addressing at the
inaugural ceremony of Project Citizen Pakistan exhorted the need
of community participation in improving the affairs of
educational institutions. “We are open to new ideas, innovative
initiatives and are willing to support reputable and serious
non-governmental organizations,” he added.
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Project Citizen Pakistan launched in Peshawar |
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In
Peshawar Project Citizen Pakistan was launched by Mr. Shafiullah
Khan, Secretary, NWFP government for Schools and Literacy
Department who viewed the project as a step in the right
direction to create civic awareness among students.
Nazim City District Government,
Haji Ghulam Ali, was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony
of the teachers’ training workshop. He said that every citizen
can play his/her role in development of the country.He regretted
that citizens talk about corruption in governance and complaint
about lack of civic amenities but do not come |
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forward
to put in their share in correcting the wrongs being
done. He said the system of governance cannot be
reformed without active participation of all citizens. |
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Project Citizen Pakistan launched in Islamabad |
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Brig. (retd) Maqsudul Hassan,
Director General, Federal Directorate of Education inaugurated
Teachers’ Training Workshop for Project Citizen Pakistan in
Islamabad. On this occasion he said that the aim of education
should be to prepare good and responsible citizens for future.“Education
should not be confined to groom grade seekers rather it
should strive to develop holistic personality equipped
with vision,
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Project Citizen Pakistan launched in Rawalpindi |
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“Without cooperation of the people, government alone cannot
improve civic management of the district,” said District Nazim
Rawalpindi, Raja Javed Ikhlas while addressing as chief guest at
the concluding ceremony of a Teachers’ Training Workshop on
Project Citizen Pakistan.He
said school children could best spread civic awareness.
A student, well aware of his/her civic duties,
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Freedom of Information Law in Urdu |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan, considering access to information as ‘oxygen' for good governance and a basic tool to empower the citizens, has translated country's Freedom of Information law in to Urdu (national language). Since literacy level in Pakistan is pathetically low, the Urdu version of the law and enabling tips to use it were widely appreciated. The CCE-Pakistan also translated the “access to information” related clauses of the local government law in to Urdu |
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Political Party Law |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan in collaboration with National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) has translated Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002 into Urdu. The translation will help political activists understand the law better so that their parties can meet requirements of the law. In Pakistan laws are written in English, a language which vast majority of the people cannot understand. We hope that translation of the law will not only be helpful for political activists to understand the law but will also trigger a debate inside and outside the parliament for brining improvement in the present law |
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Voters
Lists are vital for free and fair elections |
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Centre for Civic Education
Pakistan, with support from National Endowment for Democracy
arranged a roundtable on “Voters Registration in Pakistan: a
vital step towards democratic participation.” Speakers included;
Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad,
Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan, Brig (retd) Saleem
Ahmad Moeen, Chairman National Database and Registration
Authority (NADRA), Ahsan Iqbal, information secretay-PML-N, Dr.
Shehzad Wasim, former minister of state for interior and leader
of ruling PML,
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Multi-party
roundtable on internal party communication |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan, with support
from the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
(NDI), arranged
Multi-party roundtables on Internal Party Communication in
Karachi and Quetta. Mr. Ian Reid, a Canadian communication
consultant, was the guest speaker. Activists of the Pakistan
Muslim League, Pakistan Muslim League (N), Muttahida Quami
Movement, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Pakistan Peoples Party
attended the roundtable in Karachi.
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National Conference on
Political
Parties and Challenges of Democratic Development |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan arranged a
National Conference on “Political Parties and Challenges of
Democratic Development” in Islamabad.
In their separate messages for the inaugural session of the
conference leaders of five mainstream political parties,
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President Pakistan Muslim League,
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Ameer Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Qazi Hussain
Ahmad, Ameer Jama’at-i-Islami, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Quaid
Pakistan Muslim League-N and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto,
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NGOs and
Political Parties: Can they be complementary players? |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan has initiated “Civic
Link Lectures Series” to provide forum for discussion on
vital civic concerns. First lecture of the series on,
“NGOs and Political Parties: Can they be complementary
Players?” was delivered by Mr. Ivan Doherty, Director of
Political Party Programs at the National Democratic
Institute (NDI). More |
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CCE Executive Director meets President, George W.
Bush |
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Zafarullah Khan, Executive Director,
Centre for Civic Education, had an opportunity to
emphasize the need of ‘normative parties based democracy
in Pakistan with chances of free and fair political
competition’ along with highlighting the work of the
centre especially, Pakistani Project Citizen, Political
Party Development Program, Civic Education Campaign and
Political Funding Reforms Campaign in a meeting with
President George W. Bush, Secretary Condalisa Rice and
Ambassador, Ryan C. Crocker.
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Centre for Civic Education joins World Movement
for Democracy |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan has joined
World Movement for Democracy-a network of democrats who are
struggling to open closed societies, challenge dictatorships,
democratize semi-authoritarian systems, consolidate emerging
democracies, and strengthen established democracies.
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CCE establishes Civic Education Network |
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To
promote the concept of active citizenship and educate people
about their rights, Centre for Civic Education Pakistan has
established a Civic Education Network in ten districts of the
country. With support from National Endowment for Democracy the
Civic Education Network has embarked on a Voters Registration
Campaign to persuade and guide people, particularly youth above
18 years and women, to get their names registered in the
electoral rolls.
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Civic Link - Public Service Radio
Program |
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Centre for Civic Education Pakistan, has produced a series
of public service radio programs titled “Civic Link”, on topics
of citizen’s interest including; Safe Cities, Safe Schools (in
the backdrop of devastating earthquake), Freedom of Information,
Voter Registration, Local Government, Good Governance, Political
Parties, Civic Education, Civil Society, and Free Market
Economy. Prominent media anchor, Tauseeq Haider hosted these
programs.
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