Thought Leaders Summit 2020: Credible, verifiable data to bring meaningful change in society

Pakistan government's endeavours to bring a meaningful change in education, health, social service, art and culture cannot bear fruit until and unless it has credible and verifiable data to help its policy makers design a long-term and sustainable policy.

This was the crux of "Thought Leaders Summit 2020" organised by the British Council, Pakistan here on Thursday.

Addressing on this occasion, Chairperson Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians MNA Shandana Gulzar Khan said Pakistan's 70 percent population was below 38 years of age with a huge potential and could make a positive contribution to the country's overall growth.

"We only need to guide them in the proper direction and help them realise their talents," said the chairperson, adding the British Council was commendable in assisting the government in the areas of economic and social progress, digital economy, higher education and above all a culture of research and evaluation.

The reports prepared by the British Council in Pakistan during the last six years are of great value and helped the government in making strategies on key areas. "Our relations with British Council are based on mutual trust and partnership and hopefully this will further strengthen in the days to come," she added.

The two-day Thought Leaders' Summit 2020 brought together eminent educationists, scholars, policy experts, members of the civil society and partner organizations.

Experts and specialists in the fields of research, higher education, digital, creative and cultural economies, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) attended the inaugural session.

British Council Deputy Country Director Mark Crossey and Director Research and Policy Insight Dan Shah also spoke on the occasion.

Crossey said they were delighted to host thought leaders from across Pakistan to discuss the importance of research in social, cultural and economic growth. "Our initiatives, such as the Thought Leaders' Summit 2020 will help build connections, understanding and trust among different sectors," he added.

Crossey said the summit aimed at bringing together stakeholders to initiate dialogue for improving socio-economic status of Pakistanis across the board, especially young people.

British Council's Director Research and Policy Insight, Daniel Shah, said the purpose of the British Council's research and policy insight was to systematically generate useful new knowledge that would achieve "impact for our mission and stakeholders in the UK and the countries where they work". He said the ability to connect with people and cultures over many countries over many years could enable understanding of what works when and where. "Our range of perspective through arts culture, language, education and skills with the common theme of young people's role in shaping the future is strength in an international relations context where knowledge is increasingly important."