Day Seven began with a reading of an article titled "More Than Just Words: This Is What It Really Means to Talk Like a Lawyer." Initially, the participants had some trouble understanding the text. However, once Maliha had demonstrated how to do a close reading, paragraph by paragraph, things began to go more smoothly. The article talked about how to frame arguments and be efficient and effective with words.
"What do lawyers do?" asked Maliha once the reading was over.
"They fight for justice," someone offered.
"If I were to tell you that Ashar stole Ayesha's exam paper you are likely to believe me whether that is true or not. That is unfair because it is a serious allegation against someone and one that demands evidence before it can be believed," said Maliha. She then explained that, therefore, everyone was entitled to a lawyer, even those who had indeed committed a crime. A case only makes it to court, the group was told, if there is a serious disagreement or if it is controversial. In either case, people will have strong opinions regarding the matter. A lawyer's job, therefore, was to use language to change people's minds.
This idea, along with the other techniques mentioned in the article, was discussed with the context of the arsenal of skills the kids should have if they are to carry out projects to improve their communities. Maliha also turned towards other professions - namely politicians, orators, and teachers - that also involved changing people's minds and opinions. Examples of the oratory techniques used by people in these fields were discussed. Mohtashim even did an impersonation of Altaf Hussain and used his all-too-familiar habit of really elongating the final word of a phrase or sentence to deliver a speech. Maliha pointed out that this was a technique used to clarify, emphasize and to make the message easier to remember.
"What do lawyers do?" asked Maliha once the reading was over.
"They fight for justice," someone offered.
"If I were to tell you that Ashar stole Ayesha's exam paper you are likely to believe me whether that is true or not. That is unfair because it is a serious allegation against someone and one that demands evidence before it can be believed," said Maliha. She then explained that, therefore, everyone was entitled to a lawyer, even those who had indeed committed a crime. A case only makes it to court, the group was told, if there is a serious disagreement or if it is controversial. In either case, people will have strong opinions regarding the matter. A lawyer's job, therefore, was to use language to change people's minds.
This idea, along with the other techniques mentioned in the article, was discussed with the context of the arsenal of skills the kids should have if they are to carry out projects to improve their communities. Maliha also turned towards other professions - namely politicians, orators, and teachers - that also involved changing people's minds and opinions. Examples of the oratory techniques used by people in these fields were discussed. Mohtashim even did an impersonation of Altaf Hussain and used his all-too-familiar habit of really elongating the final word of a phrase or sentence to deliver a speech. Maliha pointed out that this was a technique used to clarify, emphasize and to make the message easier to remember.
After lunch, the group was shown a video that was full of how education, jobs and skill-sets had changed over the last century. (While the video does this in light of immigration to Canada, the part of it was neither shown nor discussed.)
Maliha asked the participants who the current superpowers in the world were. The kids correctly identified America, Britain, India and China.
"So how does a country become a superpower?"
"It uses its resources," came a vague response. When pressed for the specifics of these resources, Ruqueia said, "Human resources. People."
Maliha then explained the importance of HR. She alluded to an earlier session where Ayesha had said, "Pakistan comes from us. If we weren't around, there would be no Pakistan."
So, it was concluded that people are a good thing. India and China are working towards becoming superpowers, Maliha explained, because of their huge populations. She pointed out that Pakistan, too, has a very large population but the country is quite far away from where India and China are today. Why? If people are an invaluable resource, why is everyone worried about how big the population of Pakistan is?
Ruqueia was able to see through the problem rather quickly. "Educated people are a resource," she said.
Education, Maliha explained, was a means of improving the quality of a country's human resource. Uneducated people, on the other hand, are usually just a burden to the system.
Maliha then explained some fundamental flaws in the Pakistani education system. She talked about how many people did not learn for the sake of learning. "Can Pakistani students afford to learn for the sake of learning?" she asked.
Yes, it was concluded; they could. Maliha talked about how we cannot hope to learn and apply what we have learnt otherwise. However, what they cannot afford, she explained, is an intellectual revolution on a certain problem that complacently remains intangible and does not lead to action against said problem. This, Maliha argued, counted as being complicit at a time when people can not sit around, do nothing, and expect others to do something instead.
Maliha asked the participants who the current superpowers in the world were. The kids correctly identified America, Britain, India and China.
"So how does a country become a superpower?"
"It uses its resources," came a vague response. When pressed for the specifics of these resources, Ruqueia said, "Human resources. People."
Maliha then explained the importance of HR. She alluded to an earlier session where Ayesha had said, "Pakistan comes from us. If we weren't around, there would be no Pakistan."
So, it was concluded that people are a good thing. India and China are working towards becoming superpowers, Maliha explained, because of their huge populations. She pointed out that Pakistan, too, has a very large population but the country is quite far away from where India and China are today. Why? If people are an invaluable resource, why is everyone worried about how big the population of Pakistan is?
Ruqueia was able to see through the problem rather quickly. "Educated people are a resource," she said.
Education, Maliha explained, was a means of improving the quality of a country's human resource. Uneducated people, on the other hand, are usually just a burden to the system.
Maliha then explained some fundamental flaws in the Pakistani education system. She talked about how many people did not learn for the sake of learning. "Can Pakistani students afford to learn for the sake of learning?" she asked.
Yes, it was concluded; they could. Maliha talked about how we cannot hope to learn and apply what we have learnt otherwise. However, what they cannot afford, she explained, is an intellectual revolution on a certain problem that complacently remains intangible and does not lead to action against said problem. This, Maliha argued, counted as being complicit at a time when people can not sit around, do nothing, and expect others to do something instead.
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