Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Chromatic in collaboration with European Union (EU), led by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Pakistan and National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) successfully organized a Media Launch and Policy Dialogue to unveil its research report under the project “Educational Pathways to Peace” on Tuesday.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest Farah Naz Akbar, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. Her participation underscored the importance of aligning education policies with peacebuilding objectives and promoting national harmony.
The event brought together policymakers, education experts, civil society representatives, researchers, international development partners, youth, academia, and national media to deliberate on the role of education in promoting peace, social cohesion, and tolerance in Pakistan.
The research presented at the event examined school curricula and textbooks for Grades 9, 10, 11, 12, and O-Levels across all four provinces and the federal capital. It assessed curriculum content related to Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), interfaith harmony, national cohesion, and narratives shaping social tolerance.
The findings highlighted both gaps and opportunities for strengthening inclusive and peace-oriented narratives within Pakistan’s education system.
A policy dialogue and panel discussion featured education policymakers, curriculum developers, CVE and PVE experts, civil society representatives, media professionals, academics, and development sector specialists. Discussions emphasized the need for curriculum reforms that foster critical thinking, inclusivity, and respect for diversity.
Panelists shared insights on improving curricula to counter harmful narratives and promote values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence among youth.
The dialogue facilitated constructive engagement among stakeholders and generated actionable policy insights aimed at strengthening the role of education in preventing violent extremism and promoting social cohesion.
The event also contributed to increase media awareness of peace-focused education reforms and encouraged continued collaboration among institutions working in the fields of education and peacebuilding.
This activity marks a significant milestone of the project- Countering and Preventing Terrorism in Pakistan. Funded by EU, led by NACTA and executed by UNODC Pak with its 30 partner civil society organizations like Chromatic, the project aims at empowering community resilience against violent extremism and acts of violence via a three-pronged strategy.
These 3 key components include: a. strengthen the capacity of criminal justice institutions; b. strengthen victim support through an effective legal system; c. foster community engagement via developing sustainable networks.
Syed Arslan, Advisor UNODC Pakistan, acknowledged the critical role of government institutions like NACTA, the European Union, and civil society partners in promoting education as a pathway to peace.
The launch of the research report marked an important step toward evidence-based policy advocacy and reaffirmed project’s commitment to advancing education as a pathway to peace in Pakistan.
