Student Leaders Champions Community Plans

Winter Youth Initiative Camp 

Thirty students gathered at Norbuling Rigter College (NRC) in Paro from 21st to 25th December for a transformative five-day Winter Camp that focused on building key skills in reflective listening, creative writing, and interviewing. The camp emphasised on collaborative learning aiming to inspire participants to embrace their roles as active citizens.

The programme introduced participants to fundamental concepts of citizenship, including their rights and responsibilities. These insights were applied to explore pressing issues in Doteng Gewog, Paro, such as climate change, timber extraction, medical facilities, rural-urban migration, waste management, youth unemployment, and poor road infrastructure. Through field visits and interviews with local community members, participants gained a deeper understanding of how these challenges impact lives and how they can advocate for meaningful change.

The programme was co-facilitated by experienced trainers with background in education, entrepreneurship and youth engagement, guiding the  students in developing realistic action plans to address the issues they explored. Participants were encouraged to take ownership of the solutions they proposed, empowering them to act as agents of change. By the end of the camp, participants pledged to continue their journey as active citizens, committed to advocating for a better and collective future. 

Media and Democracy Literacy Training for School Children

A total of 53 students from Damphu Central School, Damphu Middle Secondary School, and Tsirangtoe Central School participated in the Media and Democracy Literacy (MDL) Training held from 20th to 22nd December at the Professional Development Centre in Tsirang.

The training provided an in-depth understanding of democracy and active citizenship, focusing on the rights and responsibilities of individuals in fostering a just and inclusive society. Participants explored the role of media in democracy, with discussions on the power of accurate information in promoting transparency and open dialogue. The dangers of misinformation and the importance of news literacy were key themes, equipping students with the skills to verify sources, assess credibility, and identify bias.

The programme also addressed the influence of social media in modern life, encouraging participants to develop personalised social media guidelines to promote responsible online engagement. Throughout the sessions, students engaged in vibrant discussions, group activities, and case studies, which strengthened their critical thinking skills and their ability to discern balanced and fair reporting.

The training concluded with participants presenting social media guidelines tailored to their respective schools, showcasing their understanding of the concepts learned. This initiative aims to foster a media-literate, informed, and responsible citizenry capable of contributing to a democratic society.

Empowering Youth Advocates: Voices for Change Workshops to tackle Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence 

During the month of October, a series of workshops under the Voices for Change initiative were undertaken in three remote schools in the country. These workshops empowered students to become proactive citizens and advocates for positive change within their communities. The workshops also equipped young advocates with the knowledge and skills to address critical issues related to child protection and gender-based violence. 

20 enthusiastic youths from Tang Central School, Bumthang engaged in discussions on pressing issues like the inaccessibility of clean toilets, academic stress, theft, and truancy from 3rd to 6th of October. Through problem tree analysis and creative performances, students highlighted how broken sanitation facilities disproportionately impact girls, leading to health problems such as urinary tract infections. The session emphasised the importance of hygiene, with students proposing inviting a health assistant to raise awareness about sanitation and sexual and reproductive health. They also discussed the responsibility of students in fostering a supportive and safe school environment for all. The workshop concluded with the production of four podcasts, allowing students to creatively express their solutions and experiences.

The success of the first workshop was carried forward to another school in Bumthang, Jakar Higher Secondary School from 8th to 11th of Octoberwith another 20 students. This group identified issues such as classroom disengagement, substance use, and peer support limitations and used media tools to amplify their advocacy efforts, producing another series of podcasts. Through these workshops, students identified the crucial role that students played in fostering and nurturing positive change and environment in their schools, from reducing substance abuse to improving academic performance.

From 17th to 20th of October, 47 students deliberated at Bitekha Middle Secondary School, Haa on critical issues like bullying, gang-violence, academic decline, and exam malpractice that affected students' lives. Over four days, participants collaborated on advocacy messages and created six podcasts to raise awareness among their peers. The school administration took notice of the issues raised during the workshop and pledged to take immediate action within the school systems and practices.

Across all schools, students embraced their role as responsible members of their communities, drawing a strong focus on accountability, fairness, and inclusivity. The workshops, enriched by sessions on news literacy, empowered these young advocates to discern credible information and use media to drive positive change in their communities. It also complemented the ongoing advocacy efforts on media literacy, and students identified their active role in ensuring responsible consumers of news and social media, and thwarting the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation in their communities.

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