LAHORE: The Government College University (GCU) and the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Lahore will start carrying out joint research on human rights, gender equality, minorities’ protection, civil liberties and democracy.

In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the university and CSJ here on Monday.

“We need to stop following western parameters and paradigms in almost all disciplines, including philosophy. The idea of universality of philosophy is no more in vogue,” said philosopher and writer Prof Dr Mirza Athar Baig while laying stress on indigenous research on social issues at the MoU signing ceremony.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah and CSJ Lahore Executive Director Peter Jacob signed the agreement, and also agreed upon organising lectures, seminars and conferences for raising awareness about issues related to social justice.

As per the MoU, GCU would also introduce a course titled ‘Foundation on human rights’.

GCU Philosophy Department Chairperson Dr Sobia Tahir said the subject of philosophy needed to be promoted among the youth, as the very ideas of rights, justice, representative government and human freedom had emerged from it, and it was the only discipline which produced visible and pronounced differences in the mindset of students regarding alternative points of view.

GCU Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Prof Dr Tahir Kamran highlighted the increasing religious and sectarian influence in society.

Peter Jacob said tolerance was the need of the hour. However, he said, it was virtually impossible without justice and strong democratic institutions.

Published in Dawn January 24th, 2017