Democracy Under Pressure in Pakistan: Generation Z, Power and the Pursuit of Accountability
Key information
- Date
- Time
-
5:15 pm
- Venue
- SOAS, University of London
- Room
- Wolfson Lecture Theatre (Paul Webley Wing)
- Event type
- Seminar
About this event
Amid growing youth activism in South Asia, Fayyaz Yaseen reflects on Pakistan's democratic challenges and whether Generation Z can drive real change.
What does democracy mean in a country where elections take place, yet political power, public accountability and citizens' ability to influence decisions remain deeply contested? Against a backdrop of growing youth activism across South Asia, this talk explores Pakistan's democratic challenges and the potential of Generation Z to influence change.
Drawing on his experience building and leading Accountability Lab Pakistan since 2015, Fayyaz Yaseen will reflect on the organization's evolution, its achievements, and the possibilities and limitations of citizen action in strengthening democratic governance. He will also discuss the challenges of working in a restricted civic environment, the changing aspirations of young Pakistanis, and what political uncertainty and declining international aid mean for the future of grassroots democratic action.
About the Speaker
Fayyaz Yaseen is the founder and Executive Director of Accountability Lab Pakistan, which he established in 2015 to promote citizen participation, public accountability and more responsive institutions. His work spans democratic governance, institutional reform, youth civic engagement, digital governance and climate justice, with a particular interest in connecting grassroots action with institutional change. Under his leadership, Accountability Lab Pakistan has supported civic innovators, engaged public institutions and expanded its work across South Asia through regional initiatives promoting digital democracy and citizen participation. Before establishing the Lab, Fayyaz worked at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad. He holds a master's degree in Economics and an MPhil in International Development Studies.
Image credit: The Artist Studio via unsplash
