Anthropologists argue that a family must not be defined by consanguinity: also affinity or co-residence can make people to affiliate. “Blood” could be metaphorical and people affiliate due sharing ideas and living in the same place – and because of benefits: Families serve different functions: orientation, socialization, economic as well as political functions are immanent purposes. Family structures might also effect religious and state institutions.

All living beings react differently in conflict. The reactions of human being are the most diverse when confronted with critical conflict situations. During a workshop of Future Youth Group by LYSA the focus was on Systems Thinking Paradigm while dealing with the personal, communal, regional and other conflicts. The moderator, Ms. Gulmina Bilal made the participants ponder why and how people turn violent in various circumstances.

Economic Freedom and Political Freedom influence the pace and outcome of development. Both depend in fundamental ways on rule of law. These propositions were debated during a three day seminar from 25th to 27th April 2008 on economic freedom held here under the auspices of the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit for Liberty and moderated by the German expert, Dr Stefan Melnik.

Members of the liberal organizations and partners of FNSt Pakistan learnt new techniques and skills for successful campaigning. The German expert, member of board of directors and treasurer of Friedrich-Naumann- Stiftung für die Freiheit (FNSt), Mr. Manfred Richter conducted the seminar for liberal friends on a special request. This activitiy was organized by FreedomGate Pakistan (FGP) in collaboration with FNSt.

Liberal youth organization motivates young and first time voters

Pakistani media was impressed, when FreedomGate Pakistan – a liberal network of alumni of International Academy for Leadership (IAF) in Germany – launched a recently self-produced video, to raise awareness in youth of their right to vote. The attention of the young voters was captivated by using youth language and life like situation. The script was written by Irfan Urfi and, Tauseeq Haider, a well known TV talk master, FNSt trainer and moderator produced the video. Two of the seven actors are amateurs and also members of FYG (Future Youth Group), the youth wing of LFP (Liberal Forum Pakistan), partner of Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit.

FreedomGate Pakistan becomes active

FreedomGate Pakistan, an initiative of Pakistani IAF alumni, has started a series of seminars similar to the German

International Academy for Leadership (IAF). The main purpose is to create more liberal space by conducting seminars, establishing virtual platforms to inform about; to discuss political matters; and to support the existing liberal partners of Friedrich Naumann Stiftung (FNS) für die Freiheit. The seminars also aim at providing FNSt partners a forum to discuss the possibilities of positive image building, enhancing their communication skills and effective output.

For the past five years, the steadily growing network of Pakistani International Academy for Leadership, Gummersbach Alumni have been getting together annually  to discuss ideas. At each of these annual meetings a need to more formally organize themselves and become a more “visible force for change” was expressed. This month this idea was translated into reality as a small group of IAF Alumni met in Islamabad recently. The day long session comprised of IAF Alumni from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad who brainstormed over basic questions like what could be the niche of the IAF Alumni also in favor of the work of the foundation’s partners and how they could supplement the ongoing work of liberal organizations as well as serve as an intellectual group who articulates the liberal perspective on issues for public discourse.