“It was a proud moment for all of us. I have decided to grab all opportunities that knock at my door”, says Ms. Sunanda, a tribal youth from Udupi, Karnataka.
It was indeed a proud moment for 40 selected youth, largely from rural areas, who grabbed the opportunity to participate in the 5-day Advanced Training cum Workshop on “Leadership, Social Animation and Social Media” from 14-18 September 2022 organised by Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru. This was the 1st module of the 5-module capacity building of youth, to be implemented from 2022-24. Already, these youth had undergone 10-module basic capacity building, from 2018-2022.
The institute provided the youth with the space for enhancement of their personality through learning and exhibiting their skills in public speaking, poetry recital, poster making, video editing, PowerPoint presentation, photography, and organising online conferences on google platform. All were enthusiastic, eager to learn and demonstrate what they had learnt.
The methodology of the workshop involved input with practical learning. Daily group reflection at the state level helped the participants to strengthen their self-confidence and gave them the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their skills and thoughts. Focus was given on practical learning of skills through activities. The exposure visit to St Joseph’s College of Law, Bengaluru was highly beneficial as the youth had a unique opportunity to interact with law students on their social engagements. The youth gratefully acknowledged the sense of responsible leadership, voluntarism and collective action of the aspiring young law graduates.
Ms. Sunanda who hails from a primitive tribal community from Udupi district came with a lot of inhibitions, since social alienation had been her everyday experience. She said, “These five day training sessions were a great blessing in my life. I was thrilled to develop new friends and build bonds with them, though they were from different states. Language was not an issue. When I went on to the stage to perform solo singing, I became a bit nervous. But my friends encouraged and cheered me up. I felt so motivated and performed outstandingly.”
It was a unique encounter for the trainees to listen to Rakshitha, a trans-person. During the session, Mr. Vinith from Pondicherry said, “Now, I realise that Transgenders are part of the society. I need to change my point of view to accept them and give them equal respect.” On being drilled in many skills, Ms. Suganthi from Tamil Nadu said, “I learnt how to conduct online meetings using google meet platform. I will now use this skill professionally”. Ms. Girija, from Andhra Pradesh said, “Now I have become a more confident and optimistic person”. It was great learning for everyone who participated in the advanced workshop.
The 5-module advanced training for youth, is envisaged to create youth leaders who will lead their community to bring social change. Between the modules, the youth will be guided, monitored and provided hand holding support through online training.
Francis Balaraj SJ
Head, Social Inclusion and Democracy Unit