Private sector should be assigned enhanced role in implementation of newly approval National Youth Policy so that maximum youngsters could benefit from this policy. This was stated by Mian Shaukat Masud, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) while addressing a conference on implementation process of Youth Policy, jointly organized by ICCI and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) at Serena Hotel, Islamabad. He assured the commitment of private sector to assist and advice the Ministry of Youth Affairs in the implementation process of newly approved Youth Policy.

The conference was chaired by Mr Hifz Ur Rehman, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, who asked Private sector’s input on partnering with the government in its internship program which is currently focused on providing internship opportunities to young graduates in various public sector organizations. He added that if private sector commits at least 5% retention of these inters, his ministry would re-do the current policy to enable private sector attract these interns.

Mian Shukat Masud, President. Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry and representatives of Young Businessmen Forum of ICCI agreed to this offer. They however added that government will require improving the selection criteria of these interns based on advice from the Private Sector.

Talking at the occasion, Mr Eric K Hontz, Director Global Programs, CIPE said that Education, while necessary for success in the world’s global economy, is not sufficient for the success of youth’s entry into the formal labor market and active participation in civil society. He also said that top-down (centralized) management of youth-focused initiatives needs to be complemented through bottom-up (grassroots) youth participation in the initiatives improvement and its adaptation to the evolving needs of the youth community.

Mr Ali Mardan Rahoojo, Advisor to Minister started the panel discussions and said that since 1984, subsequent governments were unable to get youth policy approved. He said that now the challenge is to keep it up to date and ensure successful implementation of the policy.

Mr Ali Salman, CIPE Consultant briefed participants about the approval process of draft youth policy as also provided an analytical framework of implementation process an key points that should be covered in the implementation plan.

In his welcome address, Mr Moin M Fudda, Country Director, CIPE-Pakistan highlighted the role of private sector in policy development and particularly appreciated active participation by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce in youth policy development initiative. He said that CIPE will shortly produce a case study on this initiative which will be launched in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

38 key stakeholders ranging from private sector, chambers, NGOs, donor community, universities and media participated at the conference.