Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) hosted the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Young Global Leaders (YGL) Indo-Pak Cooperation Initiative on July 8. The two-day event is WEF’s first YGL event in Pakistan. It is the brainchild of Pakistani and Indian YGLs which came together following the last year’s floods. They have now turned their efforts to mobilise the Swiss-based WEF and its network of YGLs to exert leadership on issues of mutual concern.
The proceedings started with a welcome address by LUMS Associate Professor Dr Umar Saif. An introduction to the YGL was given by Beaconhouse School System Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kasim Kasuri who later introduced Centre for Social Markets and YGL Founder and CEO Malini Mehra from India. Mehra urged the audience to work for climate change issues to secure a better future for the coming generations. World Economic Forum Asia Head Sushant Palakhurti Rao also spoke on the occasion and stressed the need for unified efforts from all stakeholders.
The keynote speaker at the event was LUMS Vice Chancellor Dr Adil Najam. He raised some pertinent questions regarding sustainable development and conservation and stressed the need to identify problems and find solutions. Speaking of climate change, Najam said people need to adapt to the changes and take measures to ensure that living conditions do not worsen because of natural disasters.
The keynote speaker’s address was followed by presentations by prominent people, experts in their respective fields. These included Dr Saleem H Ali, Professor of Environmental Planning and Asian Studies and Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security Director, University of Vermont; Michael Renner, Norwegian Peace-building Resource Centre Consultant; Khalid Sherdil, Provincial Disaster Management Authority Director General, Punjab; Professor N Vinod Chandra Menon, former National Disaster Management Authority member, Government of India and Convener, Consortium on Strategic Risk Management for India (CSRMI); Isabel Hilton, International Journalist and Broadcaster/Editor, China Dialogue (London/ Beijing); Aslam Perwaiz, Department of Disaster Risk Management Strategy Head, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (Bangkok); Beena Sarwar, Aman ki Asha Editor, Jang Group Pakistan; Yana Walid Abu-Talib, Eco-peace/ Friends of the Earth Middle East; and Bilal Lakhani, Express News Group CEO.
The conference was organised in partnership with the Centre for Social Markets, Aman Ki Asha and Third Pole, with support from the Department for International Development (DFID). A follow-up is planned at the WEF’s India Economic Summit in Mumbai in November 2011.
