Islamabad, November 28, 2019 (PPI-OT): Muhammad Usman Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs held a meeting with a delegation from the Italian embassy and UNDP Pakistan here at PM office today. The meeting focused on exploring avenues for mutual collaboration regarding government’s initiatives for development of youth in Pakistan. The visiting delegates included Dr. Emanuela Benini, Head of Cooperation along with Mr. Asher Francis from the Italian embassy in Pakistan while Mr. Ignacio Artaza along with Ms. Laura Sheridan from UNDP Pakistan.
Welcoming the delegates, Mr. Dar said that Kamyaab Jawan Programme is the flagship initiative of the present government with an ambitious plan to provide youth with financial assistance and requisite entrepreneurship skills for exploiting the enormous young and untapped human capital of the country. “About 68 % population of our country is below the age of 30 years. This offers us an ideal opportunity for investments in human capital for maximum economic returns and overall prosperity for the country”, added Mr. Dar. Mr. Dar stressed the need for finalization of collaborative efforts including formation of Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) at the earliest possible.
We need to have effective monitoring and evaluation of the programme especially after loans are disbursed under Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YES) and skills imparted under Skills for All Programme. “Success of Kamyaab Jawan Programme greatly depends on stringent monitoring and impact evaluation”, stressed Mr. Dar. Dr. Emanuela Benin said that her country is already investing in various developmental projects for the youth in Pakistan. She assured for cooperation and all possible assistance by the Italian government to the landmark initiative by the government of Pakistan.
“We would like to explore areas for our intervention and financial assistance to play our role in empowering and employing the youth of Pakistan”, added Dr. Emanuela Benin. Mr. Ignacio Artaza said that UNDP is seeking support of various donor partners in view to collaborate resources for achieving the shared goal of youth development in Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by officials of the PM office. Earlier in the day, SAPM held a meeting with Mr. Aamir Ramzan, Country Director of British Council in Pakistan. Mr. Aamir showed keen interest to jointly work with Kamyaab Jawan Programme including certification of youth after completion of training courses conducted by the British Council.
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