The Ministry of Human Rights on Monday launched ‘Young Experts Programme’ across federal and provincial human rights departments in Pakistan with the aim to give passionate young professionals an opportunity to gain human rights specific knowledge, skills and expertise, whilst working with state institutions and independent commissions in Pakistan.
The programme is being launched under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan (European Union Promotion of Human Rights in Pakistan) project, for the capacity development and institutional reform of human rights related state institutions in the country.
The Young Experts Programme recruits inspired, talented and dynamic young graduates in the field of human rights through a rigorous and highly competitive selection process. The first cohort will comprise of 40 Young Experts (YEs) who will be engaged for a period of 12 months. Young Experts (YEs) will learn about Pakistan’s legal system, domestic and international human rights obligations, and the processes and procedures of different state institutions and machineries. The programme will also enable the YEs to develop and strengthen their skills related to research, data analysis, policy and legislation, whilst bridging the capacity gaps of current institutions.
The programme was inaugurated through an online orientation session organized for the first batch of the young professionals. Speaking at the inaugural session, EU Chargé d’Affaires Anne Marchal placed this initiative in the wider perspective of the EU-Pakistan relationship, enhanced by the signature in 2019 of the Strategic Engagement Plan. “The partnership is all encompassing, covering a wide range of political, security, trade and cooperation issues, as well as energy and climate change. Human Rights and promotion of people-to-people contacts are equally part of that canvas where the Young Expert Programme fits perfectly well in that perspective.”
Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, referring to the programme stated, “The Ministry of Human Rights is working towards promoting a culture that recognizes the importance of educating and training the youth of Pakistan as the future leaders of our country. Pakistan has one of the largest youth demographics in the world, it is crucial we recognize that therein lies our most valuable asset.”
