ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP):Society for Access to Quality Education’s (SAQE) 17th National Convention on Youth Agency in Education 2026 opened in Islamabad on Monday with a call to put young people’s agency, voice and ability to shape their futures at the heart of education reform. Held under the theme “Building Systems That Listen, Teach, and Empower,” the two-day national convention brought together students, educators, policymakers, civil society organisations and international …
SAQE holds National Convention on youth empowerment
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP):Society for Access to Quality Education’s (SAQE) 17th National Convention on Youth Agency in Education 2026 opened in Islamabad on Monday with a call to put young people’s agency, voice and ability to shape their futures at the heart of education reform.
Held under the theme “Building Systems That Listen, Teach, and Empower,” the two-day national convention brought together students, educators, policymakers, civil society organisations and international partners, said a press release.
Secretary-General of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and President of Board of SAQE, Harris Khalique, emphasised that young people have a right to informed participation in decision-making, yet Pakistan’s education system does not adequately cultivate the agency, skills and capacity they need.
He noted that Pakistan’s youth bulge presents both an opportunity and a challenge, adding that while the country has already lost valuable time, there is an urgent need to act through evidence-informed research, meaningful youth participation and reforms that enable young people to shape decisions affecting their futures.
Addressing the session, Member of the National Assembly Syeda Amna Batool said that in a rapidly changing world, young people must take charge of their futures.
Acknowledging several government initiatives aimed at addressing youth priorities, she stressed that young people must also be the change they want to see.
Chief Technical Advisor, National Assembly underscored the need to move beyond viewing young people as recipients of education and create systems that equip them with the capabilities, platforms and opportunities to participate meaningfully in policy processes.
Ummul Baneen, Programme Officer, National Education Foundation, stressed that the purpose of education must extend beyond producing graduates to developing skilled, confident and agentic young people who can participate meaningfully in society.
Speakers noted that while progress has been made towards the 2030 Agenda, Pakistan needs stronger mechanisms to translate lessons and evidence into policy course correction.
They also highlighted gaps in intersectional data, which limit effective reporting and policy responses, and stressed that addressing the country’s resource constraints must go hand in hand with managing rapid population growth.
