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.

Dr. Huma Baqai, an experienced trainer of Liberalism and a host of a political talk show at PTV (the public TV company in Pakistan), facilitated the participants in this Liberalism & Secularism Workshop. One third of the participants were IAF alumni who used the opportunity to refresh what they learnt earlier and two thirds were members of different FNSt partner organizations (SPARC, LFP, FYG) who could improve their knowledge about liberalism and secularism doctrine and could also establish new relations to other liberals. It’s also a kind of a preparation course for future IAF nominees.

These seminars are the practical step after the establishment of a virtual platform – www.freedomgatepakistan.org, which is indeed a gate to liberals in Pakistan but also an information centre for liberal thinking and liberal activities. The next practical step is the launch of a video clip to motivate young and first time voters in the upcoming elections. The video clip was designed and produced by FreedomGaters, i.e. IAF alumni. In October, a seminar on Globalization is planned and another one “How to campaign and lobby for liberal ideas” is around the corner. These initiatives have infact laid foundation of Liberal Academy of its own kind in Pakistan which can also benefit the whole South Asian region.  The once invested endeavors in human resources are now better used, because not less of IAF alumni are able and willing to contribute by training and educating other liberal friends.

This will help to continue in striving for a liberal and civil society in Pakistan and to support directly all FNSt partner organizations in their efforts as well.