Download - [British Council - AIESEC]- Pakistan. A Mindset Changing Experience with Active Citizen- by Vy Le
PAKISTAN a mindset-changing experience with Active Citizen
“Vy, do not die there!”
That is the most common response when people know I am heading to Pakistan. I was both excited and worried, as
the image of falling people from the Twin of NY in 9/11 in TV of DRT channel years ago just recalled.
The moment I reached the immigration court in Tan Son Nhat International Airport, a certain feeling urged me to
call my parents, just to say goodbye. At that time, social media was messing everything with MH370 - they said
it was kidnapped by terrorists or somehow related.
Thinking of Pakistan, it was a chain of insecurity and danger.
There are insecurities in Pakistan, that‟s true.
The 1st morning in Pakistan, we were taken to BC office for a Security Brief to get updated
about the talk between government & Taliban, the security & crime in Lahore & Islamabad,
the do and do not for safety and the security plans for our living and transportation.
It was the 1st time in my life that guns, bullets & bomb detective doors are that available.
From Lahore to Islamabad, from a local market to a shopping mall, every shop guard was
holding a gun with 2 long bullet chains across their chest. Along the road, security check
point of police is available every 2 – 5 km. All of entrances are well- equipped with bomb
detective system.
In a moment, I just learn the feeling of treasuring the freedom and peace
we have in Vietnam- the safety that if you are a foreigner, it is still
okay for you to walk down the street, talk to people & enjoy the street
food.
Here in Pakistan, though the local daily life goes peacefully without any
sign of danger, everything just gave the new-comers the high-sense of
insecurities, vulnerability & be ready for anything can happen.
The most basic need of human according to Maslow is
security or safety, and in Vietnam, a 20s like me
never treasure the peaceful environment in which we
grow up. We keep complaining and comparing till the
day, we have a chance to experience life in a
country where safety is the most concern along the
history.
“I have always believed and I think I am right in
believing that no government will ever succeed without
creating a sense of security and confidence in the
minorities” - President Address at Madras Session of
the All Indian Muslism League 13 April 1941
I witnessed a Muslim wedding which looks like a Grim tale-
beautiful ladies with colorful lawn, happily dancing the
traditional and singing and showcasing all the customs they
celebrate marriages.
That is a really strong tradition reserved in Pakistan;
meanwhile many countries are now facing the identity crisis
and struggling in maintaining their traditions.
There is a rich and diversified
culture which is not mentioned.
In the chain of events in Islamabad, Pakistani friends organized a culture night, in which we got chance to listen to the
poems and songs shared by Pakistani artists & international friends. We cannot understand 100% every songs and poems, but it
did opens a door for me to listen, to view and to taste a part of that culture. That is the beauty of language, of Urdu,
together with the meaningful message of love & peace well-maintained and proudly spread by the young generation of Pakistani
artists.
In LaHore, visting the Badshahi Mosque – the 5th largest mosque in the world, it is surprising that it took just 3 years
(1671- 1673) to complete the whole construction. The main prayer hall is decorated with stucco tracery and fresco work; the
exterior is embellished with stone and marble inlay of red stone. It is not easy for a non- Muslim feel the spiritual
message of the heritage, but the impression remained is about the art and architecture of ancient Pakistan.
There is peace which is not mentioned
by social media
What social media defined Pakistan
in my mind before? Conflicts,
battles, terrorism, poverty, etc…
In Saidpur Village, that was the 1st
time I get close view to the local
life. That is a Mughal-era village
on the slopes of the Margalla Hills.
I took a walk along the small route
there, seeing the kids playing, the
men trading, the old people reading
newspapers, etc…
It teaches me I was wrong before, when thinking that Pakistanis are sad
people, always suffering and there is no happiness.
It was a mindset-changing experience.
I learn that the local people there have their peace and simple happiness,
and they are enjoying and celebrating their life.
Spring in Pakistan, spring in Islamabad is a very beautiful season.
The fresh air, cool atmosphere, glowing sunshine, high blue sky and blossoming flowers,… all
make the time so enjoyable. Our delegates were sitting in the restaurant called „1969 and
time goes on”. My Jordan friend- Melissa and me were looking at the local kids with their
family playing together and shared about our Active Citizen project in each country.
That moment, Pakistan in us is no more a country of conflicts or terrorism; it is the country
with natural beauty, joyful moment and shared connections.
Talking about the past, my friend Adnan – a wise man working
in Pakistan Monument Museum- told us the story of Gandhi &
Jinnah Talks in 1944 to break the stalemate between Muslim
League & Congress. It was not just about fighting, conflicts
and benefits. It represented for the efforts of both
Pakistani and Indian on communicating to each other, to
understand and to come up with a better agreement in peace.
I cannot judge the decision of history whether right or
wrong. For me, the talks, though it fails, did afford Quaid-
i-Azam a chance to clarify the doubts and ambiguities about
the right of self-determination and demand of Pakistan. At
least, it is a chance for him or for Pakistani at that time
to express them and to look for other people‟s understanding
There are efforts & commitment on
„peace & fulfillment of human potential‟
in the past, present & future.
About the present, in Lahore, the Active
Citizen delegation had chance to visit
LCWU – Lahore University for Women, where
the Active Citizen Project has been
implemented for 3 years. Thousands female
students get the chance to be equipped
with project management and encouraged to
conduct social action projects in their
campus life.
Research states only 5% Pakistani Youth
can go to university and it is not
popular for that 5% to aware of their
mission to be social responsible leaders
in the future, creating changes in their
society.
Investing on the youth and developing
their awareness as well as skills to be
the next social entrepreneur generation
are British Council and Partner‟s
commitment to a better and more
sustainable Pakistan.
The example of empowering thousands
female students in Lahore is an
inspiring story about the trust,
the faith and the efforts to
support female Pakistani raise
their voice, turn it into actions
and position themselves in the
society.
And Active Citizen is not running
alone. The good will calls for
partnership and collaboration
itself. YES, STEP, AIESEC and many
other local and international
organizations are joining the
network and delivering their
promises to empower more people,
such as students, high schools
youth, women, disabled people, etc…
for better and bigger impacts.
The commitment of the „peace and
fulfillment of human potential‟ now
is the effort to create a community
and network of Active Citizen, who
plays the role of active change
agent – change their lives and
others.
Pakistan- Land of the Pure.
Land of the Wisdom & the Courage
I still remember the moment when Adnan proudly told me
„Do you know the meaning of Pakistan name? It means the Land of Pure‟
He explained the meaning of Pure.
Back in the time 1947, when they got their independence, they combine the
letter of Punjab, Afghania Kashmir, Iran , Sindh, Tukharistan, Afghanistan,
and Balochistan into PAKISTAN.
It means the land of the Paks, the spiritually pure and clean.
Though now they are facing the internal conflicts,
with the current commitment of society in addressing issues and creating more change agents
and the awareness that they shared the same goodwill,
soon the challenges will be addressed.
Gulnaz, a friend from my Active Citizen network, has strengthened that
belief in me. She is working for a NGO in Lahore for women
empowerment.
She did not have the support from parents to go to school or
university. She worked and learnt on her own to get access to
education. Then she faced the breast cancer in one year, under the
poor medical system and lack of finance resource.
After one year of treatment, Gulnaz won her life back. Gulnaz made the
decision of following the career of women empowerment, which is not
encouraged by family or society judgment, to support Pakistani girls.
And the 1st ladies she empowered are her 4 other sisters in family.
Thanks to Gulnaz, they got the right to go to school, to follow the
career they passionate about.
The privilege of youth engagement
The moment I wrote things down,
I feel it is overwhelmed and no words can cover all those messages.
A conversation with sis Bao, on the bus from Lahore to Islamabad, recalled:
Me:
Pakistan is so different from what I know.
I feel overwhelmed of what I witness and learn.
Sis Bao:
You see, you should feel the privilege that at this young age,
you have chance engaging in something meaningful
to challenge your perspective and earning your own learning as well.
Pakistan is transforming. Our society also transforms.
The transformation is led by women like thousands Lahore students or Gulnaz,
by man with wisdom and pride like Adnan or Ali Raza Khan,
by youth with responsibility and courage like ones in YES community,
and supported by a global community with good will like British Council & Partner.
I am feeling the privilege to contribute and grow in such a community.
2 weeks after coming back from Pakistan, I remember the promises to the Active Citizen Network
to support this impact grow bigger & better.
To get AIESEC in Vietnam with our youth communities exposed to the concept of Active Citizen,
a bring-back meeting will be conducted among my AIESEC Executive Board, figuring out how
AIESEC can support as an international network of Youth.
Besides, I‟m lucky to listen to the inspiring stories from my friends like Gulnaz, Andy, Ali,
Adnan, Ali Raza Khan,etc… And, I believe that I own a promise to get those stories shared.