Impact of NGOs and CBOs Participation on Students Political Knowledge and Awareness in Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines the effect of engagement with Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) on Political knowledge and awareness of university students of Pakistan. Using a quantitative survey of 191 students, the results show significant positive relationship between NGO/CBO involvement to political awareness (r = .262, p < 0.01; v = .262, p < 0.001). Similar levels between genders were found but male students showed higher levels of political knowledge (p = 0.013). Grounded in the Civic Voluntarism, Social Capital and Political Efficacy theories, the research concludes that the role of NGOs and CBOs as informal stage for political learning positively adds up to the youth's civic competence in furthering democratic participation in Pakistan.