The College of Youth Activism and Development (CYAAD) works with Pakistani young people, and youth organizations providing capacity building opportunities. It aims at harnessing young people’s potential, enabling them to become effective leaders and citizens.
CYAAD is dedicated to reduce poverty, engage young people in civic and political participation, encourage entrepreneurship and social development, and counter the extremism and radicalization which leads to ethnic and religious intolerance.
In particular, the organization has worked in troubled areas such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Interior Sindh, South Punjab, and Balochistan and it has contributed to the resolution of conflicts through social action programmes. Its initiatives include community service projects such as the renovation of schools, improvement of sanitation in remote areas, and installation of street lights and security gates.
CYAAD also runs workshops and training sessions, to raise awareness on conflict prevention and peacebuilding and to curb sectarian and religious violence. Young people also receive trainings to enhance their leadership skills and to expand their role in local level planning and decision making.
As part of the British Council’s Active Citizen programme, CYAAD is training young activists on issues such as democracy and human rights, developing youth forums, establishing virtual links between the youth of UK and Pakistan, and facilitating youth exchanges.
