Poll Conducted by Omer Kamal
Aijazi
Summer 2004
It’s amazing how most of us can waste a lifetime doing absolutely nothing. From
the
day we learn to walk to the day we end up crippled and aged in a wheelchair,
many of
us fail to identify a goal in our lives. We take this life, this world and all
that is in it for
granted. True, everyone can’t be a Nelson Mandela or a Malcolm X but we all must
understand that there is a large difference between being our best and being the best.
In...a small country such as Pakistan alone, there are at least 500 registered NGOs[i].
This means there are at least 500 individuals who actually want to do something
other
than loose themselves to [a] newly emerging corporate ideology. Imagine the
opportunity
to do good -- worldwide.
According to the A.C. Nielsen [ratings] the average American watches 3 hours and 46
minutes
of TV each day (that's more than 52 days of nonstop TV-watching per year)[ii].
By the age
of 65 the average American will have spent nearly nine years glued to the tube[iii].
So [the failure to do good is] not about lack of time or opportunity -- it’s about
[exercising]
willpower, networking skills
and a passion
to keep your community strong and healthy.
The
following survey was conducted to gain...insight [into] the kind of interplay that
goes
on between teenagers [and] NGOs ... .
The
results portray a [disconnection] between what youths want to do and what
social
institutions have to offer. They also rule out [the] prevailing misconception that
youths are [completely self-centered. Results show that] institutions need to streamline
policies to accommodate the way teenagers function, comprehend and aspire.
Youngsters ranging from ages 16-24 were primarily chosen [to participate in] this
survey
which was used to generate a report for the Harry Singer Foundation [located in Carmel]
California,
USA. This private Foundation
believes in promoting responsibility and involving
people more
fully in public policy and their communities.
The survey was conducted simultaneously in the following cities:
(Pakistan): Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Topi
(Canada): Montreal, Edmonton, Toronto and Niagara Falls
Beneficiaries of the
survey:
(Pakistan) Islamabad : The Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness,
Angan: Against Child Sexual Abuse,
(USA) California: The
Harry Singer Foundation, Minnesota: Global Council of Pakistan
(UK) Birmingham: Islamic
Relief
_________________________
[i]
Pakistan Resource Directory
[ii] “Some Statistics on
Television in America”
[iii]
“Some Statistics on Television in America”
www.soundvision.com
Poll
1. Do you believe you have enough potential to initiate a positive change?
Red = 91%
Green = 9%
2. On an average weekend, is it possible for you to volunteer for a good/social cause in your area or community?
Orange = 9%
Yellow = 91%
3. Are you already involved in a community project or volunteering in a social institution?
Blue = 20%
Brown = 80%
4.
Do you believe that religion/ethnicity/cultural diversity pose stumbling
blocks
to doing good?
Red = zero
Yellow = 100%
5 What so you think is required to initiate a positive change?
Green = 45%
Orange = 9%
Magenta = 27%
Yellow = 19%
6. What motivates you to
do good?
Lavender = 64%
Red = 9%
Green = 9%
Blue = 18%
7. How come so few young people choose to volunteer?
Magenta
= 33%
Blue = 34%
Brown = 33%
Yellow = zero
8.
What can NGOs and other social institutions do to attract young people to
become fully engaged in their communities?
Red = 25%
Maroon = 6%
Blue = 30%
Green = 39%
9.
What will make you consider a qualification which will better equip
you to work for the social sector? e.g. a major in social work or masters
in victim rehabilitation?
Yellow = 28%
Magenta = 11%
Aqua = 11%
Green = 50%
