Annemarie Schimmel Scholarship for Postgraduate Study in UK to Pakistani Woman

The Annemarie Schimmel Scholarship The Scholarship was established in honour of Professor Annemarie Schimmel to commemorate her great contribution to culture and poetry in Pakistan and her role as a dedicated woman scholar. It offers the opportunity to do post-graduate study in the United Kingdom to a woman who is committed to make a genuine contribution to her chosen field on her return to Pakistan. Eligibility The Schimmel scholars will be chosen for their ability and commitment without discrimination as to religion, caste or creed. Candidates must have either a professional degree or they should have completed sixteen years of education in a relevant discipline. They must be citizens of Pakistan and have a declared intention to return and pursue a career in Pakistan. Those having a minimum two year professional work experience will be given preference. There is no restriction on age, but preference will be given to candidates between the ages of 25 and 40. A genuine need for financial assistance is an essential condition of the scholarship. The candidates must supply adequate evidence that they would not be able to study abroad without financial assistance. Candidates must bear the expenses of air travel. While not a requirement, preference will be given to those candidates who have secured admission to a programme of study at a recognized institution of their choice in the United Kingdom. In the absence of a sufficiently qualified candidate the scholarship committee reserves the right to make no nomination. Candidates must have cleared their IELTS exam before appearing for the final interview held in November/December of the current year. Uniqueness of the Scholarship The Scholarship has a reputation for absolute fairness and is extremely generous. It allows candidates to choose from the best and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in Britain. It covers the full cost of tuition and basic living expenses. The selection is based completely on merit but a major consideration is given to the need and relevance of the particular degree for Pakistan and the commitment of the scholar to return and serve in Pakistan. Field of Study Selection will not be restricted to any subject. Preference will be given to traditional humanities or sciences and also to humanitarian fields, such as public health, special education and ancillary medical fields, for example, physiotherapy and radiography. Studies in economic development, social sciences and modular courses in various disciplines will also be considered. Subjects excluded are journalism, business, management, IT, media, and gender/women’s studies. Candidates wishing to pursue higher learning in areas related to Annemarie Schimmel’s scholarship on Islam are encouraged to apply.The course of study can be purely academic or could involve practical training. Prospective candidates are strongly urged to acquire basic computer literacy and word processing skills. Duration The scholarship is awarded for one academic year (session starting Sept/Oct. 2012) for a Master’s degree at recognized institutions of higher education in the UK. Doctoral candidates are not eligible. Link: http://www.amsscholarship.com/

Peace & Friendship from Pakistan to Denmark

This is it! As said, sharing this exclusive video.

"The people of Pakistan desire nothing which is not their own, nothing more than the goodwill and friendship of all the free nations of the world. We in Pakistan are determined that having won our long-lost freedom we will work to the utmost limit of our capacity not only to build up a strong and happy State of our own but to contribute in the fullest possible measure to international peace and prosperity"- Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah-Reply to the American Ambassador on February 26, 1948

Long live Pakistan-Denmark friendship!

Dedicated to all peace loving people of the world!

If Pakistan will be peaceful, the world will become more peaceful, we need to promote the message of peace and friendship and this video is a little effort towards that. Vast majority of Pakistani people are peace loving, very hospitable and certainly not 'terrorists' as mostly perceived in the west.

I invite you all to experience the beauty, diversity and rich culture of Pakistan.This is the best way to see the ground realities, know about Pakistani society and understand it as an important country in the world.

Get in touch @ www.myvoiceforpakistan.blogspot.com

This video is also available @

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZacOKQ0HuP8

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS-UNICEF RVOY National Focal Points

Dear friends,

I am very pleased to share the opportunity below. Would highly encourage all concerns to apply!

Best of luck!

Bilal Masood

National Focal Point-Pakistan

UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth

Rural Voices of Youth Initiative

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 are invited to apply to become National Focal Points for the Rural Voices of Youth (RVOY) initiative. NFPs work with the Rural Voices of Youth Coordinator to foster meaningful participation of marginalized children and adolescents in rural communities in providing solutions to issues that affect them.

RVOY’s vision is to raise awareness on issues affecting marginalized children and adolescents in rural communities. Since 2005 when it first started in Nigeria, RVOY now runs in 35 namely countries Liberia, Gambia, Peru, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, Oman, Kenya, Argentina, Togo, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Nepal, Uganda, Haiti, Swaziland, Madagascar, Scotland, Botswana, Indonesia, Cameroon, Tuvalu, Canada, Ethiopia, Philippines, Malawi, Egypt, Malaysia, Namibia, Rwanda, Mexico, Nigeria, Morocco and Sweden.

This call for application is extended to interested young people who are resident nationals of countries other than those listed above. Applicants must have affiliation with civil society organizations in their country.

As a NFP you will:

• Identify adolescent groups/associations/clubs etc in rural communities in your country
• Discuss and explore working relationship on the RVOY initiative with adolescent groups, associations, clubs etc
• Facilitate discussions with adolescents on issues they want to discuss in order to identify a common problem.
• Work with the RVOY coordinator to train adolescents on research methods, data collection and analysis.
• Develop research methodology, collect data and analyze findings.

The deadline for application is 23 May 2011. We anticipate successful applicants will be notified by 31 May 2011.

To apply please submit the following documents to the Rural Voices of Youth Coordinator by 23 May 2011 atooyebisi@unicef.org

· A compelling letter of intent stating why you are interested in being a NFP

· Copy of your most recent CV

· Two references (to be submitted directly by the referees to ooyebisi@unicef.org with your name as the subject line. One of the references must be from the organization you are affiliated to.

Prospective NFPs must have proven experience working with children, adolescents and young people. This is an unpaid volunteer position however prospective NFPs will have:

· Certificate of Recognition

· Opportunity to develop leadership and life skills including capacity building on development issues.

· Opportunity to contribute and participate in UNICEF related activities.

· Opportunity to network and meet other people.

--
Oluseyi Babatunde Oyebisi
Coordinator: UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth
Adolescent Development and Participation Unit
Gender, Rights and Civic Engagement Programme Group
Division of Policy and Practice
UNICEF New York
Tel: (212) 326 7050
Email: ooyebisi@unicef.org
Web: www.unicef.org/voy

Join ' I AM PAKISTANI AND THIS IS MY PAKISTAN ' this summer!

'I AM PAKISTANI' was a project of PYO which we implemented in the form of creating a small video regarding portraying some of the bright sides of Pakistan in Calgary, Canada in 2010. The video can be viewed by the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxoA8LV9P9g

We are taking this project to a next level of creating a documentary in the northern areas of Pakistan in the upcoming summer of 2011, and decided to name this project as 'I AM PAKISTANI AND THIS IS MY PAKISTAN'. In the documentary, we would like to expose the 'Real Pakistan' by showing the hidden beauty of the northern areas, the rich culture, and the hospitality of the people of Pakistan. In today's media, only the bleak side of 'extremism' and 'terrorism' in Pakistan is being portrayed, which is a repercussion of the very fringe 'mind-washed' elements of our society. However, a general Pakistani is an open minded, generous, and a peace-lover element of this patriotic society.

Therefore, there is a greater need to come together and bring forward the brighter picture of Pakistan which is hidden from the world today. In this project, you can contribute in the following ways:

1-Contribute by donating or raising funds(we can provide you a prepared sponsorship proposal)
2-If you think you have video making, graphics, or editing skills, or if you know someone who can contribute in this regard.
3-If you know any related people in the northern areas in particular and in Pakistan in general who you think can be lucrative in carrying out this task more effectively.
4-If you know any media related people who you think can be assisting in exposing this initiative, that would help as well.

Then, send an email at: sheraz.khan@pyo.org.pk

We hope that the energetic yougsters of Pakistan are a glittering hope towards contributing something positive for this 'land of pure'. It is rightly said:

'Most of us will never do great things;
But we can do small things in a great way'

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead

Hoping against all hopes-My views on Osama Bin Laden's death

Watching the images of jubilation and liberation after the news of Osama bin Laden's death, airwaves appeared no difference between those who celebrated after attacking the World Trade Center and the so-called civilized world who rejoiced on the killing of bin-Laden. As the dramatic pictures were pouring in, I was thinking about the most vulnerable segment of our society. Having worked with children, how would I, as the citizen of the world, explain children around of what happened on 2 May 2011? When we say that taking a single human life is wrong, we say peace cannot be achieved through violence, yet our children see both as glorified.

When more and more children will see violence, in particular celebrations over a killing, they will consider it as a normal part of life, and the more they think violence as normal, the more likely they are to engage in aggression against others as has been currently studied by the Social Psychological and Personality Science (published by SAGE). Sadly, if this continues, it will be a disaster for our coming generations and our aspirations for the peaceful world will be in tatters. Lao Tzu rightly said “Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.”

Turning back to OBL, his alleged death in one of the beautiful cities of Pakistan that I visited less than a year ago and hasty burial in the sea has raised many questions like a resident of Abbottabad and an eye witness talking to Al Jazeera mentioned that “Osama is not a bird, who came, fly and went to the inside because this is restricted area”. No doubt, conspiracy theories are born again to debate for many and this will go on for some time to come. However, if bin Laden died on May 2, 2011, it is not wrong to consider that his symbolic death will not make an iota of difference and therefore bin Laden will invisibly, with his ideology, carried by his supporters will continue to haunt all over!

Not to mention, the consequences that can lead for Pakistan unless there is a sudden 180 degree shift in the ‘war against terrorism’ policy of our government. Drone attacks have always been a strong violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, but the recent on ground operation in Abbottabad is a severe one and is condemnable in all its forms and manifestations. World with this strategy can never become a better place to live. Rather we need to work on the social fabric which includes education for peace and justice, promoting participation in decision-making and developing good governance in Pakistan.

It is pivotal now that our leaders take the common people of Pakistan into confidence and answer all the multi-billion and eyebrows raised questions leading up to the OBL’s alleged death in the heart of the country.

Simple question, yet one to ponder upon: Will it be possible one day for the children of Pakistan and this world to watch peace instead of violence and live in peace than fear? I am still hoping against all hopes to embrace that day in my lifetime!

Congratulations Hassan Sadpara the second Pakistani to summit Mount Everest!!!

Breaking News: Congratulations Hassan Sadpara d second Pakistani to summit Mount Everest, he hoisted Pakistan's flag today on top of the world with pride!!! Mr Hassan is d second Pakistani after Nazir Sabir to summit Mount Everest. Mr. Hassan along with other four member team had left for d base camp on 3rd of April and finally stepped on d top of the world on May 12. Incredible achievement by one more Pakistani:) He has been Pakistan's unsung hero as he has scaled all five major peaks in Pakistan.

More@ http://karakorumclimb.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/breaking-newscongratulations-hassan-sadpara-the-2nd-pakistani-to-summit-mount-everest/

Pakistan is Chosen to Pilot RVOY

I am very pleased to inform you that Pakistan has been chosen as one of the countries where the new UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth Model will be piloted. Participatory Action Research (PAR) model is one which involves a collaborative approach to inquiry and action that emerges from the interests or problems of a specific group or community- this model will provide adolescents the environment and process through which they can deepen an understanding of their circumstances and take action to help resolve them.

This model will be piloted in three countries (Ghana, Cameroon and Pakistan) before it is introduced to all the other 33 countries within the UNICEF RVOY Network. Some seed funding will be provided for the implementation of this pilot so it is great honor for our country to be awarded.

To set the foundation for a smooth implementation of the new RVOY model in Pakistan, we are in the process to choose one rural community from any part of Pakistan. If you are interested in this initiative, we would like you to send us a proposal which should answer briefly the following questions:

1. Identify a rural community where you would want this initiative piloted. Note that the rural community should be one that is listed as a rural community in Pakistan.

2. Provide a brief situation analysis on the rural community chosen such as: Education, Health, Housing, Population, Employment/Occupation, Water supply and sanitation, Transportation etc.

3. Identify and develop a database of adolescent groups, youth associations/clubs etc in the rural community chosen.

4. Why you think this initiative is best to be implemented in the chosen community?

Our target audiences for the new RVOY model are adolescents, male and female between 10-19years of age. The full implementation of the pilot should start as soon as the concept note is finalized and resources allocated.

Kindly spread the word and get back by email to: rvoypakistan@gmail.com latest by 5 May 2011.

Note: At the moment there is one rural community we can focus so those who do not hear from us, please apply next time and we appreciate your interest in this initiative.

Thank you very much as we look forward to your proposals.

Bilal Masood

National Focal Point Pakistan

UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth