Building Pakistan's Human Capital
On June 14, USIP and the Institute for Social Policy Understanding convened a discussion tackling the twin challenges of Pakistan's health and education sectors. Panelists identified obstacles and opportunities for Pakistan in building robust social sector infrastructure.
Pakistan continues to face serious challenges in developing sustainable institutions for education and health, with the country's social sector traditionally underperforming even during periods of strong macroeconomic growth. This fundamental weakness has continued to hold the country back, in part due to development priorities being overshadowed by both the government and the media's focus on the terrorist threat Pakistan faces today. Inability to improve health and education institutions, however, threatens the country's future stability as its youth population surges.
Recognizing this danger, USIP's efforts in Pakistan to improve access to health services and education include peace education initiatives, and research on regional space for humanitarian aid.
Join USIP, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), and other distinguished experts as they examine the present outlook of the health and education sectors and current efforts underway for their improvement. Panelists will draw from their on-the-ground experience and current field work for an engaging discussion on the long-term prospects for building Pakistan's critical human infrastructure.
Speakers
- Shireen Zaman, introduction
Executive Director
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding - Dr. Sania Nishtar, panelist
Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding; and
Founder and President, Heartfile - David McCloud, panelist
Deputy Assistant to the Administrator, Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development - Dr. Atiya Khan, panelist
Chairperson
Human Development Foundation, North America - Naveed Hassan Naqvi, panelist
Senior Education Economist
World Bank - Moeed Yusuf, moderator
South Asia Adviser
United States Institute of Peace
Explore Further
- Learn more about USIP's work in Pakistan
- Read the Peacebrief, "Humanitarian Space Shrinking for Health Program Delivery in Afghanistan and Pakistan"
- Read the Peacebrief, "Flooding Challenges Pakistan's Government and the International Community"
- Watch the October 4, 2010 event, "Ambassador Husain Haqqani on Pakistan's Floods"
- Listen to the October 15, 2010 event, "Relief Efforts in the Wake of the Pakistani Floods"
- USIP Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention