Icarus Incorporated undertook a pioneering project on behalf of BHC in 2011; where over the period of 3 years, FGDs were conducted to gauge the perceptions and attitudes of people across Pakistan. The target audience of the project included a different array of compositions including, Madrassa Students, Local Imams and religious fraternity, Teachers, Urban Parents, Rural Parents, Youth Male and Female students.

Icarus Incorporated organized live outdoor radio shows from Universities (Mirpur University, AJK University) and Public & Private colleges. More than 200 students and faculty members were invited in outdoor radio shows to enhance inclusion of different ethnic groups and genders. Students and faculty members were invited in auditoriums where live radio shows were aired during which panel experts and youth (students) shared their opinions about social and national issues. The show format provided an excellent opportunity to promote the message of peace, urge of harmony amongst youth and promote positive voices & unsung heroes (civil and armed forces) to build resilience within community. 

Responsibilities:

• Challenge the extremist ideology and prevent people from being wrongly influenced, and generate support from peaceful voices to spread the message of peace and tolerance amongst the common people across Pakistan. Identify underlying reasons for terrorist support and address their remedial actions through participatory framework.

Outcome:

• The Focus Group Discussion over the period of 3 years were successful in collecting perception of people across Pakistan regarding the various campaigns of British High Commission. Key Learning Reports at the end of every wave was also submitted with analysis and statistical support.
• Identification of many vulnerable populations was made possible due to the reach of ICARUS recruitment groups and their views regarding various socio-economic and political aspects were recorded and presented to BHC.
• The research has helped Icarus to identify engagement and mobilization techniques that were simultaneously used in Engagement through Radio Project. We have enormous data and findings about perception and attitudes of common people in specific areas such as Punjab, KP, AJK and Karachi which we utilize in putting together CT/CN and mobilization activities in the areas mentioned.