The Policy Research Challenge (PRC) 2024, organized under the umbrella of Generation Unlimited in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP Pakistan, Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP), and the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF), is helping build the capacity of young people on research while polishing their cognitive and analytical skills. These skills are an important part of learning for young people, and experts have underscored this time and again. Held at IFQ Hotel, Islamabad, the boot camps brought together young researchers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Fifteen adolescents (12-17 years of age) and 16 youth participated (18-27) and learnt research skills to drive and analyze the educational policy landscape. The research findings will be shared during a dialogue among young people and policymakers. The recommendations from young people will contribute to positive change at both the community and policy levels.
Both the boot camps focused on building the capacity of young participants to conduct meaningful research that informs policymaking. The “Education Innovation” theme allowed them to explore critical sectors, including education, health, and social justice. Within these areas, the participants examined essential topics like accessible and quality education, gender disparity, inclusivity, life skills-based education (LSBE), career guidance, entrepreneurship, development readiness, technology integration, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. The importance of pedagogical training and teaching practices was also highlighted as a key focus, ensuring that young researchers understood how to apply their findings to real-world education challenges.
Evidence is an important part of policymaking. It is important that with 67% of the population being young, the policy reflects this cohort’s needs. Children, adolescents, and youth all have distinct needs that are important for a strong human capital in the country. The policy research challenge is a means to include their voices for informed decision-making while building young people’s critical thinking and analytical skills, said Mome Saleem, Programme Specialist in Adolescent Development and Participation.
Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of policy research, emphasizing its role in driving social and political change. With facilitators such as Ahsan Durrani, Gustavo Nicolas, and Samanjar Chowdhery, they were guided through research methodologies, including literature reviews, quantitative methods, and data collection techniques like interviews and focus groups. These interactive sessions allowed participants to refine their research proposals and prepare to implement their ideas.
Pakistan’s governance and public policy challenges are becoming complex. It’s time for young people to play their role in developing actionable policy solutions to address their growing challenges. Projects like the PRC are helping young people develop critical policy learning and research skills that will prepare them to lead effective policy reforms.
A significant aspect of the boot camps was the practical application of research skills. Participants were introduced to advanced research techniques like social cartography and ethnography, which enabled them to map social issues and understand the cultural context of their communities. This approach enriched their understanding of the challenges they aimed to address, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of the topics under study. Group discussions and collaborative work provided a critical learning environment, encouraging the participants to think deeply about the issues and find innovative solutions.
The boot camps concluded with the final research proposal pitches, where participants presented their research ideas to a panel of experts, demonstrating their ability to analyze complex policy issues. Nine research proposals from the adolescent category were awarded grants of 100,000 PKR each, whereas seven research proposals were awarded grants of 200,000 PKR each, allowing participants to implement their research in real-world settings. The event provided a platform for young researchers to develop their skills and encouraged them to become change agents in their communities.
The success of the PRC 2024 Bootcamp highlights the importance of youth participation in policy development. Mariyam Irfan, Managing Director of SoLF, emphasised, “Policy research is not just about gathering data; it’s about using evidence to create impactful, long-lasting solutions.” Ahsan Durrani echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of young people in addressing Pakistan’s governance challenges through research and policy reforms.
The PRC 2024 Bootcamp stands as a testament to young people’s potential to shape Pakistan’s future through evidence-based policymaking. The collaboration between UNICEF, its partners, and the young participants reflects a commitment to fostering a generation of researchers who will solve the country’s most pressing issues, promoting innovation, advocacy, and positive change.
