ISLAMABAD: Discussions, debates, workshops and presentations marked the first day of a two-day conference that opened on Saturday, all of which aimed to understand how external forces such as geopolitics, technology, art, culture and the environment are shaping society and pose new directions for the future of education.
The conference, titled ‘A World of Tomorrow’, began at the Pak-China Friendship Centre and was organised by Beaconhouse as part of their School of Tomorrow (SOT) conference series.
The event will continue on Sunday, March 12.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz inaugurated the conference as the chief guest.
One of the sessions held during the conference was a heated debate on ‘Smart Technology is Making Us Un-smart’, during which the panellists debated the advantages and disadvantages of smart technology.
Fashion designer Deepak Perwani and columnist Fasi Zaka took on the disadvantages, which Beaconhouse North executive director Nassir Kasuri and Pakistan Software Houses Association president Jehan Ara took on the advantages.
Mr Perwani argued that the excessive use of smart technology in childhood leads to a loss of innocence, and as a result we are more isolated than ever.
“Children can now access everything before their age. We have less human contact owing to technologies, and reading habits are declining as the sales of many magazines and newspapers have decreased manifold,” he said.
He added that the no one can deny the importance of smart technology, but we should not let it take over our lives. His partner, Mr Zaka, said excessive use is damaging our ability to learn and memorise.
Mr Kasuri and Ms Ara refuted their arguments, arguing that technology allows for the democratisation of the expression of ideas and challenges the monopolised narrative and hidden agenda of news organisations.
They argued that access to smart technology counters propaganda and does not allow anyone to monopolise information. “Children are mature enough and are using these technologies to benefit humankind in an effective way,” Ms Ara said.
Another session, on ‘Nationalism and Identity in Tomorrow’s Schools’, highlighted the difference between nationalism and patriotism.
Speakers appealed to policymakers to alter the school curriculum and teach students tolerance, arguing that narrow and limited definitions taught at all levels should be broadened and redefined so the youth becomes tolerant and begins to think for themselves.
The panel featured lawyer and civil rights activist Mohammad Jibran Nasir, nuclear physicist and analyst Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, novelist Kamila Shamsie and Qasim Aslam from The History Project Society.
Mr Nasir said we need to differentiate between patriotism and nationalism, and added that religious has been used for political objectives in Pakistan.
He said good human values should be included in the national curriculum, while patriotism and religion should not be connected.
He added: “If someone tries to change the system for good in this society, he or she is dubbed a traitor.”
Dr Hoodbhoy argued that patriotism should be taught in its real sense, and people should be taught that love for one’s country means love for its people irrespective of religion, caste, colour or creed.
“Militancy and extremism are destroying us and this country. There is a need to separate religion from politics and give each and every Pakistani his or her due respect,” he said.
Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2017
The conference, titled ‘A World of Tomorrow’, began at the Pak-China Friendship Centre and was organised by Beaconhouse as part of their School of Tomorrow (SOT) conference series.
The event will continue on Sunday, March 12.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz inaugurated the conference as the chief guest.
One of the sessions held during the conference was a heated debate on ‘Smart Technology is Making Us Un-smart’, during which the panellists debated the advantages and disadvantages of smart technology.
Fashion designer Deepak Perwani and columnist Fasi Zaka took on the disadvantages, which Beaconhouse North executive director Nassir Kasuri and Pakistan Software Houses Association president Jehan Ara took on the advantages.
Mr Perwani argued that the excessive use of smart technology in childhood leads to a loss of innocence, and as a result we are more isolated than ever.
“Children can now access everything before their age. We have less human contact owing to technologies, and reading habits are declining as the sales of many magazines and newspapers have decreased manifold,” he said.
He added that the no one can deny the importance of smart technology, but we should not let it take over our lives. His partner, Mr Zaka, said excessive use is damaging our ability to learn and memorise.
Mr Kasuri and Ms Ara refuted their arguments, arguing that technology allows for the democratisation of the expression of ideas and challenges the monopolised narrative and hidden agenda of news organisations.
They argued that access to smart technology counters propaganda and does not allow anyone to monopolise information. “Children are mature enough and are using these technologies to benefit humankind in an effective way,” Ms Ara said.
Another session, on ‘Nationalism and Identity in Tomorrow’s Schools’, highlighted the difference between nationalism and patriotism.
Speakers appealed to policymakers to alter the school curriculum and teach students tolerance, arguing that narrow and limited definitions taught at all levels should be broadened and redefined so the youth becomes tolerant and begins to think for themselves.
The panel featured lawyer and civil rights activist Mohammad Jibran Nasir, nuclear physicist and analyst Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, novelist Kamila Shamsie and Qasim Aslam from The History Project Society.
Mr Nasir said we need to differentiate between patriotism and nationalism, and added that religious has been used for political objectives in Pakistan.
He said good human values should be included in the national curriculum, while patriotism and religion should not be connected.
He added: “If someone tries to change the system for good in this society, he or she is dubbed a traitor.”
Dr Hoodbhoy argued that patriotism should be taught in its real sense, and people should be taught that love for one’s country means love for its people irrespective of religion, caste, colour or creed.
“Militancy and extremism are destroying us and this country. There is a need to separate religion from politics and give each and every Pakistani his or her due respect,” he said.
Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2017
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