VCs Conference Creates Roadmap To Advance Tolerance, Inclusivity on Campuses

News Desk

Islamabad: Speakers at a conference took a resolution to undertake collaborative practical steps to promote values of peace, tolerance, harmony, respect for diversity, and co-existence at the university campuses through ensuring the effective engagement of students and a student-centric approach.

The three-day Vice Chancellors Conference on Peaceful and Tolerant University Campuses concluded with the pledge of full support for various initiatives aimed at promoting peace, inclusivity, harmony and tolerance in society.

The conference was organised by Community Resilience Activity-North (CRA-North) in collaboration with the Inter-University Consortium (IUCPSS) and other organizations.

Under the theme ‘Unity through Diversity: Embracing Differences’, the conference addressed critical issues pertaining to campus environments and student interactions.

Speakers highlighted the importance of creating safe and friendly spaces and promoting dialogue to bridge gaps among individuals with varying perspectives; capacity development of the faculty; updating curriculum on peacebuilding and tolerance; investment in science and technology to produce skilled youth; strengthening the link between the administration and students; development of peace societies; using campus radios for community awareness; and promoting academic exchange between the students from the newly merged district and the rest of the country. International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan Chief of Mission Mio Sato stated, “We want to support our partners in their effort to cement Universities as beacons of inclusion, understanding, acceptance, and learning so that we can inspire critical thinking, broaden horizons, and bridge divisions.”

Four working groups were formed, each representing major stakeholders, including government, civil society, the media, university administration and faculty, and students. These groups came together in a collaborative role-play exercise, proposing recommendations that focused on fostering inclusivity and tolerance on university campuses.

A robust follow-up and implementation mechanism were proposed. A working group of experts was suggested for effective follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations of the conference and to formulate policies and procedures for countering violence and extremism. Moreover, the same group would organise capacity-building workshops to train university administration and faculty. As part of this initiative, a course on ‘Social and Religious Tolerance’will be introduced at university campuses, dedicated to promoting an environment of acceptance and understanding.

Speaking on the occasion as guest of honour, Planning and Development Department KPK Chief Economist Ali Asghar expressed the Department’s commitment to supporting the innovative ideas of university students.

National Assembly of Pakistan Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) President Syed Ali Musa Gilani assured unwavering support to help implement the roadmap and set of recommendations generated through this conference.

The conference served as a platform for academic leaders to exchange insights on fostering inclusive and harmonious campus environments, emphasizing open intercultural dialogue and mutual respect among students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.