In a webinar arranged by COMSATS (Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South), participation from over 15 countries was seen. In attendance were young students and citizens from Azerbaijan; Botswana; Cameroon; China; Egypt; Ghana; Greece; Jordan; Kenya; Norway; Pakistan; Switzerland; Tanzania; Tunisia; Turkey; Uganda; United Kingdom; and Zimbabwe.
The webinar was moderated by a Kenyan youth leader, Vice Chairperson for Policy and Advocacy at Commonwealth Youth Council Nafula Wafula. The purpose of this virtual event was to bring the youth (international) together on a platform that would allow them to share their ideas, and resolutions to survive the global challenges that surround them during a pandemic.
COMSATS Executive Director Dr. S M Junaid Zaidi delivered the opening remarks for the webinar, offering COMSATS as a valuable platform for youth to come together and enforce faculties to play their due role for the solution of global challenges. He said,
“With an effective methodology, the Corona crisis can be changed into an opportunity to take forward the growth towards sustainability. Youth can play an effective role in finding innovative solutions to increasing global threats such as corona pandemic”.
A few Chinese students who volunteered for community service during the pandemic expressed their experiences with the participants and insisted on making collective global efforts to tackle the needs of the masses.
During other discussions, it was suggested that technological education should be blended in the curriculum from the very grassroots level to construct youth’s capacity in related spheres.
Online education and learning during the pandemic were discussed as a big problem for countries with IT resources constraints, such as Tanzania, that were facing serious issues in continuing the education in times of pandemic. Government-backed youth-led initiatives in Ghana relating to digital campaigning for raising awareness and reducing social stigmas associated with COVID-19 were also appreciated.
The participants also presented various solutions to cope with the ramifications of the corona pandemic. Online sharing of experiences, knowledge and best practices relating to mitigation strategies and coping mechanisms were also regarded important for generating integrated response to corona pandemic.
The coordinator of this activity, COMSATS Assistant Director (Programmes) Engr Qaiser Nawab highlighted the role of youth in bringing essential changes in the society if they were empowered by necessary resources and opportunities. He requests global youth to come forward with various innovative ideas to serve humanity.