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 education with solution of the community problems by involving schools kids. He said teachers are critical to a country and its future because they trained the future generations to participate and contribute in community life. 

 “There is a direct connection between government’s success and success of the people,” the UK Minister of State added. He said active citizens can hold local government officials accountable. “People like you are in position to influence the community and ensure that government should respond to problems of the people,” he told the teachers.  

British High Commissioner to Pakistan, His Excellency Robert Brinkley, and Ms. Laura Davis of the British High Commission accompanied the minister.  

Lord Malloch-Brown, one of the key architects of the Millennium Development Goals, said that while framing the Millennium Development Goals they were always thoughtful that these would be linked to democracy.  

Mr. Zafarullah Khan, executive director of the Centre for Civic Education Pakistan, briefed the guests about the project. He said that teachers’ training in six selected districts have been completed where students of selected schools have started work on the project. He expressed the hope that Project Citizen Pakistan will equip the young with knowledge, skills and habits of heart to increase their ability to influence public policy through peaceful and democratic ways and means. “This will promote the concepts of constitutionalism and rule of law in Pakistan,” he added. 

Lord Malloch-Brown distributed certificate of participation among principals and teachers.