Pakistani public impressed by FreedomGate

Liberal youth organization motivates young and first time voters

Pakistani media was impressed, when FreedomGate Pakistan – a liberal network of alumni of International Academy for Leadership (IAF) in Germany – launched a recently self-produced video, to raise awareness in youth of their right to vote. The attention of the young voters was captivated by using youth language and life like situation. The script was written by Irfan Urfi and, Tauseeq Haider, a well known TV talk master, FNSt trainer and moderator produced the video. Two of the seven actors are amateurs and also members of FYG (Future Youth Group), the youth wing of LFP (Liberal Forum Pakistan), partner of Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit.

Almost 200 people mainly youngsters, office bearers of youth organizations and a galaxy of media personnel joined the launch and showed big interest in the video clip.

Now FreedomGate Pakistan has made its presence felt in public as well as in media. The initiative of IAF alumni is aimed to second Liberals in Pakistan. On one side they designed and run a website, which serves in the real sense as a gate to liberal organization but also presents its stance on liberal concepts and liberal positions in Pakistan. The liberal publications can also be downloaded or ordered on this site. Parallel to these activities and services, the FreedomGaters are also conducting IAF-like seminars and workshops on liberalism, secularism, globalization, campaign management, conflict management and communication skills. Consequently FreedemGate Pakistan – a network of liberal minds - grows to become more and more a Think Tank to support liberal ideas in Pakistan.

The production of the video clip was an additional task to support a special election motivation program of FYG, funded by the German Embassy in Islamabad. The goal is to conduct 50 big activities in 25 districts to encourage young and first voters to cast their votes by the end of this year. To make this project a success a simultaneous program lasting three days for 40 FYG office bearers took place. The participants were provided information on content of this program; given intensive training on moderation techniques; and made familiar with administrative parameters.

This is also an opportunity for FYG to get strengthened as well as to get 25 well trained campaign managers and opinion builders of liberal ideas in their respective areas.

This major project along with the activities of FNSt partners LFP and HRCP (Human Rights Commission Pakistan) supports the political aspirations for free, fair and well-participated elections in Pakistan. The Elections are expected by the end of this year or in the beginning of 2008. The schedule has yet to be announced as the public is anxiously waiting for the big day.