Expeditions

2010 UK - Pakistan

Offscreen Expeditions are offering the adventure of a lifetime to a select number of young creative leaders between Pakistan and the UK.

This month, Zoya, Mashal, Salima, Syed, Alizeb and Ali from Pakistan visited the UK, each producing a personal visual travelogue of their journey. Their "portrait" communicates their experiences of British culture and offers a counter-narrative to stereotypes, having witnessed Britain first-hand.

To see what they got up to, click on the link below:

Later on this year, we will be taking young British artists to visit Pakistan, completing the exchange. The expedition will start in the cultural capital of Lahore, where the young leaders from the UK will get their first glimpses of life behind the headlines. They will explore the rich history of Mughal art and understand what it means to be a young Pakistani today. The team will work alongside their Pakistani peers, through youth organization Youth Engagement Services, on issues such as unemployment, access to education, faith and identity.

From Lahore, they will travel to rural Punjab, visiting a school run by The Citizens Foundation and finding out more about the role of civic society in providing for the vulnerable and disadvantaged. The team will also make contact with Connecting Classrooms teachers and students, spending an afternoon visiting local homes.

From Lahore and the Punjab, the team travels north by road and air to the Northern Areas, one of the most spectacular mountain regions in the world. Their mountain home will provide time for much needed solitude and reflection. Having rested, the team will work with local development initiatives such as rural development and girls’ education, highlighting the work of organizations such as the Aga Khan Foundation and the UK Department for International Development.

Leaving the mountains, the expedition will end in Islamabad working with Pakistan’s Youth Parliament before joining Connecting Classrooms pupils from NWFP in a 2 day digital media jam, creating a powerful platform to share positive message online and provide a much needed counter to the mainstream media.

The expedition will culminate in a celebration where the team will share their experiences and lessons with partners and supporters before leaving with inspiration and a drive for change on the flight for London.