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Philanthropy and Institution Building:

Philanthropy is about forming wealth and the impact it has.Pakistan has a rich tradition of generous philanthropy for social benefit and impact.The first panel of the LSE Pakistan Summit reflected upon the current status of philanthropy and institution building in Pakistan. Covering several aspects, from areas of need and deprivation to the challenges and limits of philanthropy in a country like Pakistan. Some points raised in the discussion revolved around:

• The Philanthropy landscape of Pakistan and acknowledging Pakistan’s rich history of philanthropy.
• The need for new forms of assessment were required to ensure and monitor the delivery of effective philanthropy and the transparency of fund disbursement.
• Eventually, more opportunities would have to be available to Pakistan’s young and rurally based population.

Read the complete working paper on Philanthropy and Institution Building

Art and Modernity

Pakistan’s engagement with art has often overlapped with a certain modernity embedded within the particularities of its evolving society. Art was discussed as a space to protest against injustices, and to raise consciousness. The panel raised points on:

• Ways in which different art forms had engaged with and reflected social issues since 1947, how they have fundamentally impacted on the country’s sense of selfhood and identity.
• Ways in which artists (in the broad sense) have used their creative expression to protest and challenge existing narratives.
• How cultural expression has been heavily influenced by the social, political and economic transformations since the birth of Pakistan.
• The dilemmas of identity and the self.

Read the complete working paper on Art and Modernity

The Constitution of Pakistan

The Constitution panel at the LSE’s first Pakistan Summit explored the journey of Pakistan’s constitution through its various phases from inception, military intervention and finally, to more recent developments by Pakistan. A range of topics were considered including their relevance to governance and deepening democracy in Pakistan. Attention was paid to the 18^th amendment, examining its value regarding the specificity of Pakistan’s contemporary requirements. The panelist discussed:

• Pakistan’s need for a new international narrative. At the moment, the nation’s identity and how at times even its existence is constantly questioned.
• The constitution as a tool for protecting human rights and democracy.
• Pakistan's need to develop a genuinely inclusive democratic society in order to project a positive and cohesive image to the international community.
• How Pakistan’s image matters because of the many challenges it faces which require regional solutions.

Read the complete working paper on The Constitution of Pakistan

Development and its Dividends

The vexed question of ‘development’ and its indices in different sectors in Pakistan were discussed by the panel. Sectoral investments and outputs, and the related causes of success and failure of the developmental trajectory of Pakistan from the perspective of both state and non-state actors was reflected upon. The Development panel also assessed the course of development of Pakistan under the ambit of education, infant mortality and their indicators, focusing on:

• Education, infant mortality, how to analyze the dividends (and shortfalls) of development, and how these can be addressed further in policy-making.
• How highly visible success stories such as the phenomenal rise in higher education attendance in recent years often obscure other issues, such as the growing school dropout rate, and the quality of public education.
• Achievements of Pakistan in 70 years while focusing on  ‘underdevelopment’ through this time.

Read the complete working paper on Development and its Dividends