Ministry of Human Rights, EU launch Young Expert Programme
Providing passionate young professionals an opportunity to gain human rights specific knowledge, skills and expertise, whilst working with state institutions and independent commissions in Pakistan, the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR), under European Union’s (EU) Huqooq-e-Pakistan Project (HPP), launched Young Expert Programme on 13th of July 2020. Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, referring to the programme stated, “Pakistan has one of the largest youth demographics in the world, it is crucial we recognize that therein lies our most valuable asset. It is important to create opportunities for the youth to gain the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to make an impact and bring about true change. While the immediate benefits of the Young Experts Programme will be evident in terms of increased capacity of Human Rights Institutions and Independent Commissions, the long-term impact of investing in our youth is beyond measure.” Speaking at the inaugural session, Federal Secretary MoHR Rabiya Javeri Agha said, “The Young Experts Programme is a prestigious, innovative and progressive initiative that is the first of its kind in Pakistan. The youth possesses the passion, commitment and talent to greatly alter and strengthen the landscape of Human Rights in Pakistan. By giving young graduates and professionals the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with Human Rights Institutions, we are laying the groundwork for a cohort of trained and sensitized professionals and future leaders that can positively impact and shape the process of Human Rights reform in Pakistan.” The Federal Secretary also stated that EU Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Anne Marchal placed this initiative in the wider perspective of the EU-Pakistan relationship, enhanced by the signature in 2019 of the Strategic Engagement Plan. “The partnership is all encompassing, covering a wide range of political, security, trade and cooperation issues, as well as energy and climate change. Human Rights and promotion of people-to-people contacts are equally part of that canvas where the Young Expert Programme fits perfectly well in that perspective.” The Young Experts Programme recruits inspired, talented and dynamic young graduates in the field of human rights through a rigorous and highly competitive selection process. The first cohort will comprise of 40 Young Experts (YEs) who will be engaged for a period of 12 months. They have been deployed to the Human Rights Institutions including Ministry of Human Rights, Provincial and Gilgit Baltistan Human Rights Departments, MoHR Regional Directorates, National Commission on Human Rights, National Commission on the Status of Women and National Commission on the Rights of Child. Orignal Publication: https://nation.com.pk/14-Jul-2020/ministry-of-human-rights-launches-young-experts-programme