Ms. Sabiha Shaheen, Executive Director of Bargad, delivered the keynote address at the Conference of Youth, Punjab Chapter, calling on greater investment in youth leadership, education, and capacity building to equip young people to meet climate challenges and drive sustainable change. Her remarks framed youth as essential agents in building a resilient future for Pakistan and energized delegates to move from advocacy to active leadership.
Bargad, one of Pakistan’s pioneering organizations focused on youth development, was represented by Ms. Shaheen, who drew on her experience leading the organization to outline practical priorities for youth empowerment. She highlighted the need for targeted programs that build leadership skills, technical knowledge, and organizational capacity among young people.
Central to her address was the argument that preparing the next generation requires sustained investment in education and capacity-building initiatives that directly address climate resilience. Ms. Shaheen emphasized that youth are not just beneficiaries of policy but crucial drivers of innovation and community-level adaptation to environmental challenges.
Delegates responded to the speech with renewed motivation to translate advocacy into action. Ms. Shaheen encouraged young participants to adopt roles as active changemakers—bringing courage, creativity, and purpose to local and national efforts on climate and development.
Organizers expressed their appreciation for Ms. Shaheen’s insights and acknowledged her contribution to amplifying youth voices at the conference. Her address underscored the conference’s broader goal of equipping young leaders to shape sustainable, resilient futures for their communities.
