LAHORE: Focusing on peace, education and sustainability, the first International Youth Summit 2017 kicked off on Monday at the University of Lahore. The opening ceremony was attended by Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Ali Raza Gillani, University of Lahore Vice Chancellor Prof Dr MH Qazi, District Council Narowal Chairman and IYSL Patron Ahmad Iqbal, Massey University New Zealand Public Relations Head Chris Golloway, Peace Child International UK President David Woolcombe and IYSL Director Naseem Khan Achakzai. The ceremony also included performances by children from Cornerstone School and SOS Village, Lahore. The summit is being organised by the Centre of Sustainability, Research and Practice (CSRP) with the University of Lahore as the host institution. The IYSL 2017 will extend over six days focusing on three thematic areas: peace, education and sustainability. IYSL 2017 promises to be a one-of-a-kind event and hopes to become a catalyst of change for the youth of our nation. The six-day event is being attended by almost 120 delegates from over 40 countries. The sessions will be divided in three days with the subjects of sustainability, education and peace. These sessions will be conducted and attended by world-renowned speakers, expert panelists, opinion makers, politicians, development professionals and the academia. After session days, the delegates will be taken to a trip to the Walled City, Kasur, Changa Manga and Narowal. IYSL Director Naseem Achakzai said, “With this summit we have brought together the youth of the world to promote peace and harmony. It gives me great pleasure and honour to host the 1st International Youth Summit in Pakistan. We aim to send out a message of peace to not only the youth of our nation but to every young adult across the globe. We want the world to know Pakistan is not what the world sees through the lens of international media.” UOL Chairman Awais Rauf said, “Through this summit we want to tell the world that we are honest and hard working nation.” David Woolcombe said that young people needed to be leaders than ever before to deal with the crises being faced by the world. “Youngsters have massive challenges when humans are being replaced by robots and the Interent is making everything fast.” Higher Education Minister Raza Ali Gillani observed that every foreigner had a different opinion about Pakistan but it was not as being exhibited all over the world. “This country is really a heaven on earth.” During the summit avenues will be looked in to strengthen cooperation and make joint efforts to create sustainable solutions in the areas of education and peace. The summit will conclude with a closing ceremony on the evening of November 12. Published in Daily Times, November 7th 2017.