Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) It was a day of overwhelming emotions as the six-day long Young Leaders Conference (YLC) 2018 came to an end on a high note in Chand Bagh. An annual affair organized by the School of Leadership (SoL), YLC is a rigorous, thought-provoking leadership program that brings together more than 300 youngsters between the ages of 18 to 24 under one roof. IT’S TIME was the theme of this year’s conference which provided participants with the courage and passion to shape a better future for themselves and for those around them by letting everyone know It’s Time to change.
Introduction to Social Action Projects was the last day’s theme and was moderated by Azhar Hamza, the YLC Champ for 2018 along with Alezeh Mumtaz.
The ‘Social Action Project’ session required the participants to create the layout of the projects they were going to initiate to bring about a positive change in society and present it to the YLC team. Success stories related to these initiatives were also shared by Maalik Khashkely and Khadeeja Khan.
The last few hours of the conference were spent reminiscing, networking, sharing moments and the unforgettable memories formed within the span of the six days. “This was my first YLC and it has taught me a lot as well as made me think about what is happening around me. I couldn’t be more thankful to the people who empowered me,” said one participant from Karachi.
For Azhar Hamza, the person who led this year’s conference, it was a moment to savor. “YLC has been in my blood since the day I first participated in it. Today, having successfully completed the 6 days of the conference and seeing the impact the conference has had on the participants, my dream to lead this immense project is complete. I feel honored to have been able to work with such an amazing team and to be mentored by some of the most renowned pioneers in the industry,” he remarked.
Heightened passions, conviction and commitment was the dominant emotion as YLCians, as participants call themselves, took an oath of bringing about the change that was discussed.
This year’s conference has been sponsored by their Founding Partner EBM and Cause Partners Australian Government, The Asia Foundation, Feroze1888, USEFP, Wilshire, Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF Pakistan), British Council Pakistan, IlmPossible, UNICEF, Marie Stopes Society, Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited, Jubilee Life Insurance, Alif Ailaan, KFC Pakistan, ACM Foods, PTCL, Mondelez International and Sui Southern Gas Limited.
Jang Media Group, the News, Geo News are the official media partners and Suno FM 89.4 is the official Radio Partner, for the conference while Xenith PR serves as the PR partner, helping to bring the message of YLC to all media platforms and providing essential coverage. TCS is serving as a logistics partner, ensuring smooth- running and timely execution.
This year YLC has celebrated its 17 years of continued success in working for youth development. It pursues insightful themes like; development, economics, politics, environment, culture, corporate, self-awareness and capacity building.
