The Citizens Foundation (TCF) organised its Global Chapters Conference (GCC) on the 19th & 20th of January, 2017, in Karachi. One of the key events on TCF’s social calendar and held every two years, the GCC brings together the TCF Board, management and heads and members of the Foundation’s global chapters.
This year, the event drew active participation from all of TCF’s global chapters. Driven by their commitment to TCF’s mission to educate and empower the underserved, it is these chapters who have helped transform the cause of TCF into a truly global movement for social change. Bringing together members of the TCF family under one roof, the GCC serves as an effective platform to share progress and plan for the future.
The event got to a rousing start as the guests and delegates were welcomed by a group of young TCF students who presented them with handmade greeting cards. As the proceedings unfolded over the next two days, TCF’s senior management and chapter representatives shared progress, deliberated upon the trajectory of new initiatives and set targets for the future. Some of these new initiatives were the Government Schools Programme (GSP), TCF College and new mechanisms being developed for enhanced programme quality.
Not just limited to delineating future growth strategy, the GCC also gave voice to TCF school leaders, students and alumni who actively participated and shared their experiences and opinions through the platform. A panel discussion, aptly titled ‘Tales from the Trenches’, brought together some outstanding TCF Principals and Area Managers who shared their extraordinary stories of courage and resilience in the face of the adversities and challenges they confront in the line of duty. Most of their personal accounts depicted their ingenuity and tact in dealing with opposition from vested interest in the local community resisting change; the audience was also informed how Principals work tirelessly to educate families and communities to inculcate an environment conducive to their children’s growth and development as socially aware, responsible citizens. Immensely moved by their passion and bravery, the audience gave a standing ovation to the heroes of TCF at the end of the session.
Another panel discussion focused upon TCF students and alumni at various stages of their academic or professional journey. Composed of ten members, the panel constituents ranged from a primary school student to TCF alumni currently studying at IBA and Habib University to those now well placed into their careers. As each student shared their individual account, their stories, in combination, charted the journey that TCF can take its students on.
While recognising that TCF has come a long way, all TCF chapters and Pakistan offices acknowledged that with 24 million children still out of school or languishing in dismal classrooms, the journey is far from over.
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