PAKISTAN a mindset-changing experience with Active Citizen

“Vy, do not die there!”

That is the most common response when people know I am heading to Pakistan. I was both excited and worried, as

the image of falling people from the Twin of NY in 9/11 in TV of DRT channel years ago just recalled.

The moment I reached the immigration court in Tan Son Nhat International Airport, a certain feeling urged me to

call my parents, just to say goodbye. At that time, social media was messing everything with MH370 - they said

it was kidnapped by terrorists or somehow related.

Thinking of Pakistan, it was a chain of insecurity and danger.

There are insecurities in Pakistan, that‟s true.

The 1st morning in Pakistan, we were taken to BC office for a Security Brief to get updated

about the talk between government & Taliban, the security & crime in Lahore & Islamabad,

the do and do not for safety and the security plans for our living and transportation.

It was the 1st time in my life that guns, bullets & bomb detective doors are that available.

From Lahore to Islamabad, from a local market to a shopping mall, every shop guard was

holding a gun with 2 long bullet chains across their chest. Along the road, security check

point of police is available every 2 – 5 km. All of entrances are well- equipped with bomb

detective system.

In a moment, I just learn the feeling of treasuring the freedom and peace

we have in Vietnam- the safety that if you are a foreigner, it is still

okay for you to walk down the street, talk to people & enjoy the street

food.

Here in Pakistan, though the local daily life goes peacefully without any

sign of danger, everything just gave the new-comers the high-sense of

insecurities, vulnerability & be ready for anything can happen.

The most basic need of human according to Maslow is

security or safety, and in Vietnam, a 20s like me

never treasure the peaceful environment in which we

grow up. We keep complaining and comparing till the

day, we have a chance to experience life in a

country where safety is the most concern along the

history.

“I have always believed and I think I am right in

believing that no government will ever succeed without

creating a sense of security and confidence in the

minorities” - President Address at Madras Session of

the All Indian Muslism League 13 April 1941

I witnessed a Muslim wedding which looks like a Grim tale-

beautiful ladies with colorful lawn, happily dancing the

traditional and singing and showcasing all the customs they

celebrate marriages.

That is a really strong tradition reserved in Pakistan;

meanwhile many countries are now facing the identity crisis

and struggling in maintaining their traditions.

There is a rich and diversified

culture which is not mentioned.

In the chain of events in Islamabad, Pakistani friends organized a culture night, in which we got chance to listen to the

poems and songs shared by Pakistani artists & international friends. We cannot understand 100% every songs and poems, but it

did opens a door for me to listen, to view and to taste a part of that culture. That is the beauty of language, of Urdu,

together with the meaningful message of love & peace well-maintained and proudly spread by the young generation of Pakistani

artists.

In LaHore, visting the Badshahi Mosque – the 5th largest mosque in the world, it is surprising that it took just 3 years

(1671- 1673) to complete the whole construction. The main prayer hall is decorated with stucco tracery and fresco work; the

exterior is embellished with stone and marble inlay of red stone. It is not easy for a non- Muslim feel the spiritual

message of the heritage, but the impression remained is about the art and architecture of ancient Pakistan.

There is peace which is not mentioned

by social media

What social media defined Pakistan

in my mind before? Conflicts,

battles, terrorism, poverty, etc…

In Saidpur Village, that was the 1st

time I get close view to the local

life. That is a Mughal-era village

on the slopes of the Margalla Hills.

I took a walk along the small route

there, seeing the kids playing, the

men trading, the old people reading

newspapers, etc…

It teaches me I was wrong before, when thinking that Pakistanis are sad

people, always suffering and there is no happiness.

It was a mindset-changing experience.

I learn that the local people there have their peace and simple happiness,

and they are enjoying and celebrating their life.

Spring in Pakistan, spring in Islamabad is a very beautiful season.

The fresh air, cool atmosphere, glowing sunshine, high blue sky and blossoming flowers,… all

make the time so enjoyable. Our delegates were sitting in the restaurant called „1969 and

time goes on”. My Jordan friend- Melissa and me were looking at the local kids with their

family playing together and shared about our Active Citizen project in each country.

That moment, Pakistan in us is no more a country of conflicts or terrorism; it is the country

with natural beauty, joyful moment and shared connections.

Talking about the past, my friend Adnan – a wise man working

in Pakistan Monument Museum- told us the story of Gandhi &

Jinnah Talks in 1944 to break the stalemate between Muslim

League & Congress. It was not just about fighting, conflicts

and benefits. It represented for the efforts of both

Pakistani and Indian on communicating to each other, to

understand and to come up with a better agreement in peace.

I cannot judge the decision of history whether right or

wrong. For me, the talks, though it fails, did afford Quaid-

i-Azam a chance to clarify the doubts and ambiguities about

the right of self-determination and demand of Pakistan. At

least, it is a chance for him or for Pakistani at that time

to express them and to look for other people‟s understanding

There are efforts & commitment on

„peace & fulfillment of human potential‟

in the past, present & future.

About the present, in Lahore, the Active

Citizen delegation had chance to visit

LCWU – Lahore University for Women, where

the Active Citizen Project has been

implemented for 3 years. Thousands female

students get the chance to be equipped

with project management and encouraged to

conduct social action projects in their

campus life.

Research states only 5% Pakistani Youth

can go to university and it is not

popular for that 5% to aware of their

mission to be social responsible leaders

in the future, creating changes in their

society.

Investing on the youth and developing

their awareness as well as skills to be

the next social entrepreneur generation

are British Council and Partner‟s

commitment to a better and more

sustainable Pakistan.

The example of empowering thousands

female students in Lahore is an

inspiring story about the trust,

the faith and the efforts to

support female Pakistani raise

their voice, turn it into actions

and position themselves in the

society.

And Active Citizen is not running

alone. The good will calls for

partnership and collaboration

itself. YES, STEP, AIESEC and many

other local and international

organizations are joining the

network and delivering their

promises to empower more people,

such as students, high schools

youth, women, disabled people, etc…

for better and bigger impacts.

The commitment of the „peace and

fulfillment of human potential‟ now

is the effort to create a community

and network of Active Citizen, who

plays the role of active change

agent – change their lives and

others.

Pakistan- Land of the Pure.

Land of the Wisdom & the Courage

I still remember the moment when Adnan proudly told me

„Do you know the meaning of Pakistan name? It means the Land of Pure‟

He explained the meaning of Pure.

Back in the time 1947, when they got their independence, they combine the

letter of Punjab, Afghania Kashmir, Iran , Sindh, Tukharistan, Afghanistan,

and Balochistan into PAKISTAN.

It means the land of the Paks, the spiritually pure and clean.

Though now they are facing the internal conflicts,

with the current commitment of society in addressing issues and creating more change agents

and the awareness that they shared the same goodwill,

soon the challenges will be addressed.

Gulnaz, a friend from my Active Citizen network, has strengthened that

belief in me. She is working for a NGO in Lahore for women

empowerment.

She did not have the support from parents to go to school or

university. She worked and learnt on her own to get access to

education. Then she faced the breast cancer in one year, under the

poor medical system and lack of finance resource.

After one year of treatment, Gulnaz won her life back. Gulnaz made the

decision of following the career of women empowerment, which is not

encouraged by family or society judgment, to support Pakistani girls.

And the 1st ladies she empowered are her 4 other sisters in family.

Thanks to Gulnaz, they got the right to go to school, to follow the

career they passionate about.

The privilege of youth engagement

The moment I wrote things down,

I feel it is overwhelmed and no words can cover all those messages.

A conversation with sis Bao, on the bus from Lahore to Islamabad, recalled:

Me:

Pakistan is so different from what I know.

I feel overwhelmed of what I witness and learn.

Sis Bao:

You see, you should feel the privilege that at this young age,

you have chance engaging in something meaningful

to challenge your perspective and earning your own learning as well.

Pakistan is transforming. Our society also transforms.

The transformation is led by women like thousands Lahore students or Gulnaz,

by man with wisdom and pride like Adnan or Ali Raza Khan,

by youth with responsibility and courage like ones in YES community,

and supported by a global community with good will like British Council & Partner.

I am feeling the privilege to contribute and grow in such a community.

2 weeks after coming back from Pakistan, I remember the promises to the Active Citizen Network

to support this impact grow bigger & better.

To get AIESEC in Vietnam with our youth communities exposed to the concept of Active Citizen,

a bring-back meeting will be conducted among my AIESEC Executive Board, figuring out how

AIESEC can support as an international network of Youth.

Besides, I‟m lucky to listen to the inspiring stories from my friends like Gulnaz, Andy, Ali,

Adnan, Ali Raza Khan,etc… And, I believe that I own a promise to get those stories shared.