Updates: IRCRA initiative APWA is active now.. . .
IRCRA engages Pakistan’s community and diverse target groups in capacity-building programmes, research and dialogues that promote tolerance and peace.
February 14, 2023
More than a thousand religious journals and magazines are published in Pakistan by madrasas and other religious groups and parties. About 500 of these journals are published on almost regular basis. IRCRA organized media training workshops for the editors and writers of these journals to sensitize and train them for constructive contributions for the betterment of society and reconciliatory ideas.
These workshops brought the participants from diverse sectarian magazines and equipped them with knowledge and skills to counter hate speech and hate literature. The trained participants conducted set of follow up activities to amplify and promote peaceful coexistence including peace dialogues and writing many articles. These follow up activities spread the message to thousands of people and positively influence their opinion.
The editorial teams of religious media publications were trained and engaged positively, to have an obvious change in the perception and behavior of religious media editors, writers and influencers towards other religions and sects. The religious media actors positively changed their views and perceptions about other religions, sects that is visible in their writing and speeches.
Sessions on Elimination of negative propaganda through peace messaging
Raising public awareness about peace, harmony, health literacy and other social issues.
Publication of articles promoting peace and tolerance in society.
IRCRA had also compiled a compendium of religious journals and analyzed their content.
Improved knowledge-base and policy input, or recommendations on issues of vital significance for creating awareness among Media in Countering Hate Material and Promotion of Peace.
Strengthened tradition of starting a dialogue on sensitive topics regarding hate content subject, discussing sectarianism in a society like Pakistan’s, which lacks the basic values of dialogue and argument among different institutions and groups.
Improved understanding and ability of media (editors, writers, reporters & researchers), civil society actors and policymakers to make such platforms in a particular format to start creating awareness campaigns on such topics.
Enhanced interaction among representatives of different segments of society and improved opportunity to remove mutually held misperceptions.
“I hereby also pledge that I will try my best to play my part to raise awareness among community members of my area. I would like to urge that each one of us contribute in advocating dialogue and promoting peace.”
