National Peace Festival 2025 to Spotlight Youth as Champions of Peace and Inclusion

Islamabad – The National Peace Festival 2025, a landmark event celebrating youth-driven peacebuilding and civic engagement, is set to take place from June 18 to 20 at the Al-Mukhtar Auditorium, National Skills University Islamabad. Organized by the Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness (SFEA) in collaboration with the university, and backed by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), the event is funded by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the PACE Project.

Her Excellency Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, will serve as the Chief Guest, underscoring the government’s recognition of the critical role Pakistan’s youth play in fostering peace and countering violent extremism.

Bringing together students, educators, peacebuilders, and thought leaders from across the nation, the three-day festival will serve as a vibrant platform for dialogue, artistic expression, and policy engagement. Central to the agenda is the revival and empowerment of Peace Societies in universities—student-led groups working toward interfaith harmony, civic responsibility, and inclusion.

The festival will showcase key accomplishments of the PACE Project, including the training of over 850 students and faculty in peacebuilding techniques such as dialogue facilitation and conflict resolution. The student-led Unity in Diversity Campaign has already reached more than 5,000 students through storytelling sessions, peace rallies, and interfaith dialogues held across campuses.

One of the major highlights will be the Peace Forum and Leadership Dialogue, where university vice-chancellors and academic leaders will directly engage with students to explore institutional integration of peace education. Participants will also witness Experience Sharing sessions where Peace Societies present impactful case studies from their own campuses, offering real-world examples of youth leadership in action.

Creative Competitions will add an artistic dimension to the festival, featuring peace-themed poetry slams, digital poster contests, speeches, and live painting—all promoting peaceful expression. The event will culminate in a Music for Peace Performance and an Awards Ceremony, celebrating the creative and cultural contributions of youth to Pakistan’s peace narrative.

Minister Wajiha Qamar’s attendance reaffirms the government’s commitment to grassroots peacebuilding, particularly within the education sector. Her anticipated speech is expected to highlight the importance of safe, inclusive, and democratic environments in universities.