The Youth Digital Conference 2020 was a comprehensive 10-day online initiative organized by the Youth Media Network (YMN) Pakistan. Held in observance of World Youth Skills Day, the conference provided a crucial virtual platform for young individuals to engage in constructive dialogue, cultivate a culture of healthy debate, and foster critical discourse pertinent to navigating the complexities of the modern digital landscape. Conducted entirely online, the conference successfully reached youth across various regions, particularly from Punjab.
Objectives:
The core objectives of the Youth Digital Conference 2020 were to:
- Motivate Youth: Inspire young people by highlighting both the immense prospects and the significant challenges presented by rapid technological advancements.
- Equip for Competitive Workplaces: Provide youth with essential skills and attributes, including necessary social graces, personal development techniques, and character-building insights, to meet the demands of highly competitive professional environments.
- Raise Awareness on Skill Development: Inform educated youth about available skill development programs that can facilitate their access to relevant employment opportunities based on their skills and potential.
- Foster Critical Thinking: Cultivate critical thinking abilities among participants to enable discerning engagement with digital content and information.
- Promote Digital Skills & Information Literacy: Enhance participants’ digital competencies and improve their ability to effectively find, evaluate, and use information in the digital age.
- Generate Critical Discourse: Encourage and facilitate meaningful discussions and debates on key issues related to technology, media, and society.
Key Themes and Activities:
The conference program was structured around a variety of critical themes relevant to youth in the digital age. Esteemed experts and trainers from diverse fields led interactive sessions, engaging participants in positive activities and providing actionable guidance. The themes and activities facilitated the channelization of youth potential through:
- Inculcating Critical Thinking
- Cultivating Digital Skills
- Promoting Information Literacy
- Generating Critical Discourse
Distinguished Speakers and Participants:
The conference featured a prominent lineup of speakers and experts who shared their knowledge and insights with the youth. These included:
- Senior Media Practitioners
- Academicians
- CSP Officers
- Psychologists
- Medical Experts
- Motivational Speakers
Highlights from Speaker Contributions:
- Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad (Vice Chancellor, Sargodha University): Addressed the concluding session, emphasizing journalism as the art of articulating public opinion and the journalist’s responsibility to separate political influence from fact-based information. He announced the planned establishment of the Policy Research Institute for Social Media (PRISM) at Sargodha University to study social media dynamics, recommend policy interventions, counter propaganda, and educate youth on digital threats.
- Azaz Syed (Award-Winning Senior Investigative Journalist): Discussed social media’s role in empowering public opinion and breaking the monopoly of traditional institutions on information flow. He acknowledged social media’s challenge to traditional media through citizen journalism but also highlighted the risk of reality being obscured by fake or manipulative content, while noting its potential for generating debate and enhancing critical thinking.
- Sabookh Syed (Senior Journalist and Anchorperson): Criticized traditional media’s editorial control often influenced by marketing considerations. He contrasted this with social media as a platform for freer expression, while strongly emphasizing that freedom of expression comes with significant responsibility.
- Noman Yaser (Assistant Professor, Communication and Media Studies): Appreciated YMN’s initiative in creating this vital platform during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. He addressed the issues of authenticity and the free flow of information on social media, stressing the need for check-and-balance mechanisms and the importance of educating youth on responsible social media usage.
Outcomes and Impact:
The Youth Digital Conference 2020 successfully achieved its objectives by:
- Empowering youth with increased awareness of technological opportunities and challenges.
- Providing practical guidance on personal development and social skills crucial for career success.
- Connecting youth with information on relevant skill development programs.
- Enhancing participants’ critical thinking and digital literacy.
- Stimulating productive dialogue and critical discourse on digital age issues.
- Establishing a valuable online platform for youth engagement and learning during a critical time.
The conference served as a significant step towards equipping Pakistani youth with the necessary tools and perspective to thrive and contribute positively in the increasingly digital global landscape.