About us
Responsible and active citizenship nurtured through multi-dimensional understanding of contentious development issues is the requisite of responsible leadership.
The Youth Center for Research (YCR) is an aspiring youth-led think tank based in Pakistan. It was established to encourage and engage youth in research, dialogue, policy analysis and advice on a range of socio-economic and political issues. The center is a response to the present demographic makeup of the country which is overly dominated by the youth. This domination needs urgent translation into effective voice to partake in the development process essential to ensure countries’ socio-economic and political take-off.
To effectively achieve this overarching objective, the center organizes numerous conferences, discussion forums, meetings, dialogues and seminars to promote joint deliberation of youth and experts to enable understanding and cooperation on issues and topics of consequence. The center also aims to partner with academia, national and international organizations, various institutions and industrial market to bridge the gap between knowledge and policy and enable youth spearhead sustainable development.
Our Story
The Youth Center for Research (YCR) began with a simple yet powerful belief: that meaningful change doesn’t have to start at the top. It can begin with young people, rooted in their communities, driven by purpose, and united by learning.
In 2019, we launched YCR in Pakistan as a space for young people to come together, exchange ideas, and collaboratively address local challenges. This hybrid model, where knowledge is not just consumed but created and shared, was designed to challenge top-down development models and instead prioritize the voices and insights of youth.
When the world shifted during the COVID 19 pandemic, so did we. What began as a local initiative transformed into a global network, with young changemakers from across continents joining a movement grounded in collective learning and action. We saw firsthand how digital connection could transcend borders and how shared purpose could unite youth from vastly different contexts.
At YCR, we believe knowledge should be shaped by those who live its realities. Our learning communities are built on the values of equity, co-creation, and local global exchange. Young people don’t just participate in conversations, they lead them. They challenge assumptions, surface overlooked issues, and co design solutions grounded in lived experience.
core values
Relevance
Pragmatic approach to societal issues grounded in contextual realities holding international relevance to keep pace with happening developmental progress
Integrity
Honesty with strict and consistent adherence to ethical grounds on an individual and institutional level
Service
Strong sense of responsibility and empathy that enables thinking beyond self and relating more to fellow human beings. Holding selfless consciousness to carry people along for collective success and joint celebration of achievements.
Diversity
Spirit of inclusion that welcomes novel ideas and new insights; makes space for people from various backgrounds holding different beliefs; and encourages constructive discourse with the flexibility to revisit one’s position.