ISLAMABAD: A Symposium held at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) on Wednesday addressed Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change and the urgent need to educate citizens, particularly the youth, on its impact and mitigation strategies.
The Institute of Rural Management, in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Network, and the Rural Support Programme Network, hosted a symposium under the theme of ‘Climate Education: Educate, Advocate, and Act’.
The event convened a diverse audience, including government officials, professionals, professors, students, and community members.
Esteemed panellists, including Dr. Roomi S. Hayat, CEO, IRM, and Chairperson, IUCN-PNC, Dr. Tariq Cheema, Executive Country Representative of Pakistan and Afghanistan from ALIGHT, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dean, Social Sciences Department, IIUI, Dr. Noor Fatima, Chairperson, IR & Political Sciences Department, IIUI, and Dr. Ghulam Ali, Chairman, IBCC, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training), engaged in thought-provoking discussion in the event.
Dr. Roomi S. Hayat shared how climate education could be taken to rural and marginalized communities in Pakistan.
Hayat highlighted the importance of making these communities aware of the threats of climate change to make them well-prepared for such changes.
Importance of Climate Education Highlighted
Dr. Tariq Cheema underlined the significance of mainstreaming climate education in the context of Pakistan.
He said that being climate literate is not enough; one must take action at the individual level and be climate conscious.
Dr. Ghulam Ali represented the government’s stance on climate education, stating that the government is active in working on various aspects of climate education, which is underway.
