ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: Renowned educationist Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy's vision of Pakistan is that all state institutions should work for the betterment of citizens.

"Instead of nursing adventurous desires, we have to focus on our people," he said speaking on the theme 'Does Pakistan need a new vision' at a function here on Monday where he was presented Civic Courage Award 2007.

The function was arranged by the Centre for Civic Education to celebrate the first-ever International Day of Democracy.

"By pursuing irrational agendas set by others, we have lost many opportunities to rise as a vibrant nation. We will have to guarantee individual liberty, freedom and social justice to our people," Dr Hoodbhoy said.

"All our citizens should get their human and socio-economic rights," he said, tracing the role secularism played in the awakening and evolution of medieval Europe into a progressive society.

Prominent human rights activist I. A. Rehman, who presented the award to Dr Hoodbhoy, said on the occasion that democracy was the best system. Its weaknesses should be addressed by ensuring more democracy instead of derailing it.

Earlier, Centre for Civic Education in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre organised a series of activities to promote democracy and democracy education in society. A democracy quiz competition was held among the university students. Executive Director of CCE Zafarullah Khan briefed the students about democracy and need of civic education in democracy.

Three rounds of the questions revolved around the topics of international and national democracy, role of the democratic institutions and civil society to promote democracy in societies. Students from Fatimah Jinnah Women University won the first; International Islamic University Islamabad second and Quaid-i-Azam University third prizes in the competition.

Ishrat Rizvi, National Information Officer of the UN Information Centre, read out the message of the UN secretary–general issued on the occasion.

Farhan Sabih, assistant resident representative governance Unit of UNDP, spoke on ‘Democratic governance and human development’ and enlightened the participants with his views on the role of a good democratic governance and human development in the areas of economic and social sectors. Two documentaries titled “March of democracy” and “Struggle for democratic Pakistan” produced by the Centre for Civic Education were also screened on the occasion.