14/08/2026
On August 12, 2025, Youth Development Association (YDA), in partnership with AWARD, organized an impactful seminar under the global theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.” YDA brought together experts and representatives from Barnabas Aid, Yahowa Yari Church, and ZBS. The event brought together 94 young people from diverse backgrounds and locations, empowering them to take charge of their future through knowledge, innovation, and strong human values.
The discussion covered Christian values, digital discipleship, the challenges facing young people and possible ways forward, as well as decent livelihood opportunities for underprivileged and less-educated youth. The seminar featured engaging sessions on pressing issues relevant to Pakistani Christian youth. A session on the Role of Youth in the Church was facilitated by Nadeem Masih from Yahowa Yari Church. He emphasized the need to revive and strengthen Christian educational and health institutions. He regretfully said, the first generation of Christians, during the missionary era, established strong institutions, while the present generation of Christian leadership is, in many cases, allowing these institutions to decline. He challenged youth to reclaim, strengthen, and establish new institutions that can help transform the face of Christianity in Pakistan.
Pastor Maryam Daniel also urged young people to play a pivotal role in the revival of the Church by living out Christian values, engaging in positive activism, and contributing to the creation of a better world for all. She particularly encouraged young women to be brave, wise, and visionary leaders like Deborah, reminding them of their important role in shaping the future of the Church.
The importance of digital discipleship was highlighted by Mr. George Chughtai, an experienced development practitioner. He discussed how digital platforms can be effectively used to reach, mentor, and engage young people in their faith journey. Through social media, online Bible studies, podcasts, webinars, video content, and virtual fellowship, digital platforms can create accessible spaces for young people to explore Christian teachings, ask questions, share experiences, and strengthen their faith and sense of community. He also emphasized that equitable access to education is essential for youth empowerment and long-term societal development. He ended his session saying, smart work is not a shortcut to hard work; it is hard work done with wisdom, strategy, and purpose. Shortcuts may promise quick results, but they often lead nowhere.
Addressing the youth, Ms. Sylvina Daniel, Country Director of Barnabas Aid, explained that a decent livelihood means having a dignified way of earning a living fair, safe, sustainable, and respectful. She emphasized that decent livelihoods enable individuals to live with dignity, responsibility, hope, and meaningful participation in their families, communities, and society.
She reminded the youth that there is dignity in every honest occupation. Whether a carpenter, farmer, mechanic, cleaner, tailor, driver, construction worker, shop assistant, electrician, or small entrepreneur, every person can contribute meaningfully to society through honest work.
Ms. Sylvia particularly highlighted the need to invest in skills development for underprivileged and marginalized youth in Pakistan, enabling them to acquire practical skills, access livelihood opportunities, achieve economic empowerment, and contribute positively to their families and communities. She stressed that equipping young people with knowledge, skills, confidence, and opportunities is essential for building a more inclusive, dignified, and hopeful future.
This year’s theme speaks to the heart of YDA’s mission, said Ms. Saleema Munir, Director of Programs at YDA. She said, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” recognizes that young people come from diverse social, economic, cultural, religious, and geographical backgrounds. Their circumstances may be different, and the challenges they face may vary, but their aspirations are often similar and all dream of success, prosperity, happiness and salvation.
Every young person wants to live with dignity, have access to quality education and meaningful opportunities, develop skills, find decent work, and contribute positively to their family and community. They aspire to be heard, respected, included, and given the opportunity to shape their own future.
