Empowerment, a word used so casually nowadays. It has become a major part of our discussions, almost a keyword in selling off programmes to unsuspecting bystanders and eavesdroppers.
Empowerment, a word used so casually nowadays. It has become a major part of our discussions, almost a keyword in selling off programmes to unsuspecting bystanders and eavesdroppers. These people may have little to do with it, may make no sense of it all and, as a matter of fact, do little to pass the ‘useful’ bits of content to concerned parties and initiate the desired revolutionary change in the society. Because empowerment - economical, spiritual, educational, or occupational among others - refers to a complex social process which would help people take control of their lives.
Often, those who are genuinely interested in this concept, perhaps really stuck up with a critical issue, the participants or the facilitators, remain unsure how to use the opportunities provided, how to gain skills and experiences necessary for action at both personal and community level.
A couple of events held in Karachi last week focused on this aspect; whether it was by engaging the audience themselves in dialogue regarding what motivates them and what sort of skills they want to have, or whether one considers the support and autonomy they gave to individuals for decision-making within their respective contexts.
The world is your oyster
196 young scientists. 96 projects. 56 educational institutions. Across Pakistan.
This wasn’t an easy task, to select winners from such a sizable talent pool to represent Pakistan at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California. It’s the world’s largest international pre-college science fair. More than 1,800 high-school students are anticipated to compete for awards and scholarships. The cut-throat competition at district and later at provinival levels showed Pakistani students are incredibly talented. Each of the projects showcased by students in Grades IX through XII is exemplary, which is something given there are around a million students in ISEF-affilitated science fairs globally. And to think that the education that gets them acquainted with technology makes productive citizens out of them and transforms them into role models for others! But as it’s with competitions, it wasn’t possible for everyone who had qualified for the National Science Fair to get in at the International Fair, too.
The finance geek
It’s like the organizations are really sitting up and listening; they are finally paying heed to the countless suggestions of encouraging each and every young person irrespective of their field. Bringing accounting and finance professionals together in Pakistan for the second time in a row, the National Finance Olympiad is the brainchild of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) powered by Unilever Pakistan. Why? Because fun episodes like these make them aspire to persist with their professional development. Who wouldn’t; I mean, when it’s a healthy competition of talent and skills, it’s exciting to work along with professional firms. To network. The chance to triumph, and be the National Finance Champion 2016; the chance to be recognized for it. Extrinsic motivation, get it? Every individual would want to be at par with the best in industry; preparation would definitely involve improving or updating their knowledge base and application of Accounting, Finance and Governance standards. Not only that, they’d have to prove it as a team, so yeah inculcating real values such as team work and sharing while pitting the finest of them against one another makes it welcoming, too.
36 teams from eminent organizations across Pakistan were tested through a three-hour MCQs-based assessment, held in Lahore and Karachi at the same time.
The teams were competent; it was a close call at all stages: Presentation Round, Direct Question and Answer Session, Buzzer Round.
While KPMG TaseerHadi and Company and Central Depository Company of Pakistan bagged the First and Second Runner-Up positions, Gadoon Textile Mills Limited came out victorious. The former were awarded shields along with iPad Air and iPhone respectively; the winner went home with a grand Champions Trophy and Mac Book (Wah bhae!) beside shield for each member. Certificates were given to all six teams to celebrate and congratulate upon reaching the finals. The award for Best Individual Performance went to Adil Farooq of the KotAddu Power Company team.
Entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurs.
A concentrated market or a gap or commercial prospects are some of the reasons driving this trend. But for some it’s purely the thrill and the satisfaction that comes with the idea of being your own boss which is influencing them, convincing them to start a successful business venture.
A global startup community, Startup Weekend, basically is a platform for to-be entrepreneurs. Aplós innovations and SEED Ventures hosted the Startup Weekend Karachi 2016 in collaboration with Google for Entrepreneurs Globally and Entrepreneur Organization.
Numbers: 120 participants, 50 pitches, 14 startups formed
Yes, the world of entrepreneurship is very alluring. However, the risks involved can be humongous if the project is in the wrong hands (or rather minds). Coming up with the idea is only one part of the picture; next, they would have to plan, design, develop, and launch it. That’s when the concept will turn into reality. Did they have the required skill set, the confidence, courage and will to push all boundaries? Were they aware of their own limitations, willing to learn from others’ failures? And what about the product/service they wished to launch; was it really something people need or want? The 54-hour long event ensured individuals knew what they would be getting into.
At the end of Day One, therefore, only a handful remained after a voting process.
Hashim Yasin, facilitator of Startup Weekend, said: “I’ve never seen a Startup Weekend with this quality of fine-tuned pitches and great ideas. The pitches were raw but the quality was something that was on a whole different level.”
One of the participants, Madiha Yusuf said: “These 54 hours were the best of my life. I never learned this much and this event played a major role in my entrepreneurial career.”
Her startup, Comfort Cart, which was about customized shopping carts along with an app to avoid the hassle of waiting in lines, won the Title. The first and second runner-up prizes were awarded to YesYes, a pharmaceutical app, which provides medicine at doorstep in the perfect temperature, and ParhoSabaq, a web and app platform that connects tutors and students, in that order.
This is important; especially for youth who take interest in entrepreneurship because of its impact. They have the creative freedom with what sort of products and services they bring to the market. Furthermore, entrepreneurs who start small have the edge to develop a closer bond with their customers. As they cater to this ‘niche’ market, entrepreneurs are likely to pay special attention to the impact their investments and products are having on the society, they can continue to innovate and invent and grow, improving the local, national, and even global landscapes on the go.
ISEF 2017
Grand Winners (Self-Sponsored Projects)
Grand Winners (Intel-Sponsored Projects)
National Finance Olympiad
Top six teams that
qualified for the final round
1. Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
2. Gadoon Textile Mills Limited
3. Grant Thornton Anium Rahman Chartered Accountants
4. Haleeb Foods Limited
5. KotaAddu Power Company Limited
6. KPMG TaseerHadi and Company
Startup Weekend Karachi
Following made it to the final round
Six days of cultural exchange
It’s easy to lament the lack of interest of concerned authorities when you are sitting in your room, hiding behind a screen. It’s easy to say the negative portrayal of the country in media has only aggravated
and further compromised Pakistan’s position in the international community and that no one would be interested in working with us anymore. Challenging this perception, Goethe-Institut and the Alliance Française de Karachi, 
funded by the French-German cultural fund, launched a project for youth, especially girls.
The event “Girl Power” consisted of workshops of boxing and urban and contemporary dance for underprivileged individuals who are into these activities. Two sessions were organized daily - morning and afternoon - so there won’t be any clash of examinations or other commitments. (Female) boxers and choreographers were especially flown in from France and Germany to emancipate young people in sport and in social life. It’s the first time that French athletes came to Pakistan. And since the aim was a cultural exchange, both teams invited were very much interested to learn from the local traditions.
Rebel Spirit
In 2011, Jude Kelly founded the Women of the World (WOW) Festival at London’s Southbank Centre to commemorate the centenary of International Women’s Day. On May 1, 2015, the festival came to Karachi, Pakistan - free and open to all. People who attended, proved that this nation cares about what women feel and think. From talks on how to raise healthy, happy girls to inspirational stories of women and families affected by violence, there was an incredible line-up of discussions on some of the most serious issues of young girls and women. Various programmes like speed mentoring, feminist-under-10 corner, WOW Bites and WOW Markets were brilliant in raising awareness and building support.
But what was more amazing was their eagerness to outdo themselves the following year, to bring in what had been missing and to enhance what was a hit. For this reason, a session was conducted at British Council and, don’t call me a party pooper, but here is some inside scoop to help you navigate through the next WOW: literature written by women for women, some more mentoring sessions, including success stories from all groups so as to resonate with all individuals present, getting women to overcome barriers and take ownership (internal and external) and giveaways like a handbook of contact details (legal aid, career counsellors) the attendees can consult again once they leave WOW. Since inclusivity has been the general theme, there were no second thoughts on a change of venue (bigger, facilities for physically-challenged people, representation of all women and not just elite capture), on having activities like under-11 football to break gender barriers and foster interaction. Men must not be excluded either because they are necessary for change as well.
