As part of the Youth Empowerment for Engaged Citizenship project, Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment (Shehri-CBE) organized a capacity building workshop titled “Cultivating Critical Thinking for Active Citizenship” on 17 October 2026 at Aga Khan University, Karachi. The workshop was conducted under Component 2: Democracy Lab – Incubator for Civic Action, which focused on strengthening young people’s capacity to understand civic challenges, develop practical solutions, and participate meaningfully in democratic life.
The workshop aimed to equip students with the skills to think critically, evaluate information responsibly, consider diverse perspectives, and make informed decisions. It also explored the connection between critical thinking, civic responsibility, and accountability, encouraging participants to apply these skills when engaging with social issues, public policies, and governance.
The programme began with a welcome address by Muhammad Wasiq Imran, Coordinator, Programs and Experiential Learning, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Aga Khan University. This was followed by an introduction to the project by Amra Javed, Executive Member, Shehri-CBE. Farhan Anwar, Urban Planner and Project Manager at Shehri-CBE, and Associate Professor of Practice at Habib University, subsequently presented the session brief and outlined the workshop’s focus.
The learning activities were facilitated by Ross Mahtani, beginning with an interactive icebreaker titled “Two Truths and a Lie,” centred on a civic topic. The activity introduced participants to the importance of questioning claims and recognizing that information presented as fact may not always be accurate.
The main session focused on understanding critical thinking, its relevance to young citizens, and its role in informed decision-making and holding institutions accountable. Through practical examples and discussion, participants explored how critical thinking could be applied to civic life. A subsequent session examined its use in everyday situations involving social issues, public policies, governance, and civic decisions.
A key part of the workshop involved group work designed to help participants distinguish between bias and fact. Students explored ways to assess information by examining source credibility, identifying missing context, and recognizing logical fallacies. The activity concluded with group presentations and a facilitator-led discussion, allowing participants to reflect on their findings and consider practical approaches to evaluating information.
The workshop concluded with a planning and wrap-up session led by Farhan Anwar, followed by lunch. The programme combined interactive activities, guided discussions, and collaborative learning to help students connect critical-thinking concepts with real-world civic challenges.
The workshop supported the broader objectives of the Democracy Lab – Incubator for Civic Action, which aimed to encourage students to research civic issues, engage with diverse stakeholders, and develop human-centred, community-led solutions. By strengthening their ability to question information, evaluate evidence, and consider different perspectives, the session encouraged participants to become more informed, responsible, and engaged citizens.
