IMRAN AFRIDI
JAMRUD The University of Peshawar’s Student Societies, in partnership with UNICEF SBC KP, has taken a major step toward amplifying youth voices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the launch of Connect to Change.
The three-day initiative kicked off at the scenic BaraGali Summer Campus with the Oath-Taking Ceremony of the newly formed Youth Advisory Council. Young leaders from across North, Central, and South KP gathered for an intensive workshop focused on human rights, digital advocacy, social cohesion, and community engagement.
Dr. Noor Zada, Provost and Patron-in-Chief of Student Societies, University of Peshawar, attended as Chief Guest and administered the oath to the new council members. He was joined by Prof. Dr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman of the Department of Criminology; Dr. Muhammad Ibrar, Deputy Director of Student Societies and focal person for the initiative; and Mr. Sohail Khan, SBC Officer at UNICEF Peshawar, who also addressed the inaugural session.
Over the course of the workshop, participants took part in expert-led sessions delivered by Ms. Shagufta Gul from UN Women, Mr. Sohail Khan, and Dr. Iftikhar. The sessions equipped them with practical tools and knowledge to design and implement Community Action Projects aimed at tackling local challenges in their respective regions.
To balance learning with reflection, the programme also included an excursion to the Dunga Gali Pipeline Track, giving participants space for informal dialogue and team building.
The event concluded with remarks from Prof. Dr. Jahanzeb Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Bannu. On the final day, students finalized their Community Action Projects, turning ideas discussed during the workshop into concrete plans for change back home.
Connect to Change is designed to move young people beyond participation and into leadership encouraging them to identify problems, create solutions, and lead initiatives in their communities. Organizers say the programme marks an important milestone in strengthening youth engagement and turning their voices into action across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
