The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) and Indian NGO Routes 2 Roots launch Exchange for Change 2013 – 2015 in India

In an attempt to foster friendship, change mindsets and bridge the gap across borders, The Citizens Archive of Pakistan and Routes 2 Roots launched “Student Exchange for Change program, 2013-2015” on 15^th January 2014 at Hotel Grand, New Delhi, Vasant Kunj. Mr. Kapil Sibbal (Honorable Minister, Govt. of India) inaugurated the program and shared his thoughts on the same. H.E. Mr. Salman Bashir, High Commissioner Pakistan in India and Indian film actress Juhi Chawla also graced the occasion and congratulated founders of Routes 2 Roots NGO on this commendable initiative to unite the two nations. The launch witnessed the presence of diplomats, principals & children from the participating schools as well as those children who were part of the EFC programme in earlier years.
This third round of the Exchange for Change initiative is set to be the World’s largest initiative of its kind, expanding in scale with the participation of 5,000 students from 25 schools in 6 cities across the two countries.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan in collaboration with Routes2Roots present Exchange for Change Pakistan India 2013 - 2015

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan in collaboration with Routes2Roots present Exchange for Change Pakistan India 2013 - 2015. The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), in collaboration with Routes2Roots (R2R), an Indian non-profit organisation working for peace and dialogue between Pakistan and India, launched Exchange for Change 2013 – 2015 between 5,000 school children aged 10-14 years from schools across Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Delhi, Dehradun and Mumbai. The project aims to help students in both countries realize that a sustained dialogue is possible and encourage them to form their own opinions. During the life of this project, a sustained exchange of written, visual and oral histories will take place between the students.
The press conference for the launch of Exchange for Change 2013 – 2015 was presided over by CAP President Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and featured acclaimed musician Atif Aslam and Routes2Roots Founders Tina Vachani and Rakesh Gupta. CAP Board Members Amean J., Swaleha Alam Shahzada, Ali Reza Mumtaz, Adnan Malik, Ahsan Bilgrami and Sayem Ali were also a part of the proceedings.
During the press conference Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy apprised the audience on CAP and its different projects, while Executive Director Swaleha Alam Shahzada shared details regarding the Exchange for Change 2013-2015 programme. Routes2Roots Founder Tina Vachani had travelled from India to attend the event and briefed the audience on Indian perspectives of Pakistan and how a majority of Indians were eager to form bonds of friendship with their Pakistani neighbours. Renowned musician Atif Aslam regaled the audience with stories of his experiences in India and appreciated the efforts of CAP and Routes2Roots to bring both nations closer together. Former Speaker of the National Assembly Illahi Bukhsh Soomro was also present on occasion and appreciated the efforts of CAP and Routes2Roots.
Exchange for Change was launched in September 2010 between 2,400 school children from 10 schools in Karachi, Lahore, Delhi and Mumbai. After its spectacular success the project was expanded in 2012 to 3,500 school children from 17 schools in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai. During the fourteen-month life of the project, a sustained exchange of written, visual and oral histories linked school children aged 10-14 years across the six cities.
Exchange for Change is an initiative by CAP that aims at improving relationships between school students in different countries. Through cross-culture communication it has been observed that students can develop a clearer understanding of their history, culture and lifestyles. CAP believes that such interaction will in turn lead to a positive change and eliminate cultural misconceptions and inter-generational conflict.

Physical Exchange between Pakistani and Indian students

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), in collaboration with Routes2Roots (R2R), an Indian non-profit organisation working for peace and dialogue between Pakistan and India, have successfully completed a physical exchange between Pakistani and Indian students as a culmination of the fourteen month project, ‘Exchange for Change’.
To mark the successful completion of the project, a thirty-three member Indian delegation came to Pakistan on the 2^nd of September 2013 to visit Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. While a similar thirty-six member Pakistani delegation travelled to India to visit Delhi and Agra on the 10^th of September 2013, crossing over the Wagah - Attari border by foot. CAP and R2R believe that such interactions will further build upon the relationships developed over the life of the project, leading to a positive change in restructuring cultural misconceptions and inter-generational conflict. It is believed that youth interaction and direct communication will in time lead to a more informed and fundamental understanding of each other. During their one-week stay, students and teachers from the participating schools visited partnering schools, engaged with their counterparts and visited historical and cultural sites across the five cities.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan in collaboration with Routes2Roots present ‘Exchange for Change: Pakistan India 2012 - 2013 Exhibitions’

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), in collaboration with Routes2Roots (R2R), an Indian non-profit organisation working for peace and dialogue between Pakistan and India, have successfully completed a fourteen month project ‘Exchange for Change: Pakistan India 2012 - 2013’. 3,500 students from across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Mumbai, Delhi and Chandigarh believe that their stories across the two nations are the same and are worth sharing with the general public to dispel misperceptions that prevail on both sides of the border. To this end, CAP is undertaking a series of 3 exhibitions in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad where participating students of the Exchange for Change project will share experiences and