August 13, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 10, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 12: Several dozen children from various public and private schools celebrated International Youth Day on Tuesday by competing in a poster competition, tree plantation and participating in a walk.

The students celebrated the Day with the slogan “Grooming Youth for Greener Pakistan.” The event was organised by Youth Advocacy Network (YAN) a youth led initiative of World Population Foundation Pakistan and Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Commemorated around the world on August 12, the IYD presents an opportunity to recognise the potential of youth, celebrate their achievements and plan for ways to engage young people to social development process. This year the theme for International Youth Day was “Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action”.

Wearing school uniforms, carrying placards students marched on Margalla Road near F-11 behind a Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) truck decorated with road awareness messages and fitted with loud speakers from which national songs played.

While many students wanted a greener and cleaner Islamabad, several young boys demanded better sporting facilities in their neighbourhoods as well as in their schools where they could play football, cricket and other games like basketball.

The walk led by students and other young volunteers ended with tree plantation. Participants then planted saplings in the names of their schools with an aim to show their commitment to keeping the environment clean.

“The objective of tree plantation is that these schools will look after their trees in future encouraging social responsibility among students and citizens for keeping the environment clean,” said Mazhar Hussain, member CDA Board.