National Youth Task Force (NYTF)

WPF in collaboration with UNFPA held a three days National Youth Summit on 29th November to 1st December 2008. The basic rationale and idea behind organizing the summit was to:

• To strengthen and harmonize the Youth networks and organizations to effectively contribute to national development
• To initiate a National level platform of the Youth (15-25 years of age) to ensure meaningful youth participation and give out message of unity and peace

After National Youth Summit (NYS’08) it was decided to formalize a National Youth Task Force (NYTF) comprises of young, energetic participants of National Youth Summit. The main responsibility of the National Youth Task Force will be to follow up on the recommendations drawn during National Youth Summit through a logical, systematic and result oriented strategy and plan of action.

The National Youth Task Force will adopt and implement a process in which it prepares young people to advocate for enhanced youth participation at the policy making process of Pakistan, to meet the challenges of young people through a coordinated, progressive series of advocacy activities and experiences which help Young people to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically and cognitively competent. NYTF will also cater to the positive youth development that addresses the broader developmental needs of youth, in contrast to deficit-based models, which focus solely on youth problems.

Young people need some guidance as they seek out their place in the world. They need opportunities to try new things, to learn, to make mistakes and try again to develop as individuals and as members of the community. A central aim of NYTF and its advocacy activities is the provision of these opportunities and guidance. On the other hand to harness Youth potential in Pakistan, NYTF is about helping young people to make the transition to being happy, productive and successful citizens of the society.