February eNews
YI members Attend Focus Group Discussion Training
YI members prepare for the National Youth Policy consultative process.
Media Lab, Thimphu, 15 – 16 February 2020: Youth are stepping up the effort to gather more feedback on how Bhutan’s National Youth Policy, drafted in 2011, is making an impact and what needs to change to accommodate changing scenarios.
Eighteen members of the Youth Initiative (YI) and ?? steering committee members of the YI attended a two- day Focus group Discussion (FGD) training to conduct FGDs as part of the YI’s review of the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2011.
This training came after a nine-day residential training in January during which the YI members reviewed the NYP 2011.
Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of FGD. Starting from FGD as a research tool to types of questions to be asked, the training also covered objectives, ethical considerations, and preparations involved in conducting FGDs. At the same time, a presentation on thematic areas in the NYP 2011 was made so as to acquaint the participants with the subject matter at hand. It was followed by training on how to transcribe the focus group discussions.
The participants also carried out two mock FGDs, first among the participants themselves, and the second with other youths. BCMD thanks UNICEF for supporting the training. YI members have learnt a useful skill to investigate issues of concern to young people today. We look forward to presenting the findings to our decision-makers and the government soon.
Youth Lead the National Youth Policy Review Process
YI members with the Rangjung Training Institute talks about the National Youth Policy consultative process.
Thimphu, 17 – 21 February 2020: Following a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) training, the Youth Initiative (YI) members led the consultative process for the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2011 review through FGD engaging 11 youth target groups.
The consultative process involved more than 110 youths from various socio-economic backgrounds. The consultative process was held to assist the Department of Youth and Sports in enhancing the relevance of the NYP. The FGDs were conducted in different Dzongkhags (Districts) including Trashigang, Chukha, Trongsa, Punakha, Paro, and Thimphu.
The group reached out to target youth groups such as LGBTI, Drayang, which roughly translates to dance bars elsewhere, youth in conflict with the law and in rehabilitation, persons with disabilities, unemployed, and students, among others. The consultative process engaged more than 110 youths through FGD with 19 subgroups.
The discussions from the FGD are being transcribed which will be sent to the national consultant for NYP 2011 review. The consultative process was supported by UNICEF.
Retreat: Looking Beyond Inspiring Active Citizens
The BCMD members reflect on their new strategic plan.
Paro, 29 February 2020: Reflecting on its past 11 years of activities to inspire active citizenship, the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) during its 2019 Retreat improved its vision and mission as part of 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.
BCMD’s new vision is a vibrant democracy where the citizens are proactive and engaged. To nurture democracy in Bhutan through civic engagement, public discourse and media literacy.
During the two-day retreat, BCMD looked reflected on its strength as a team and how being a small the team members can reach out to each other for help. The retreat also gave the members a rare opportunity to share take a deeper look at why they do what they do as a civil society.
Against the growing competition for a limited share of support in civil society, the retreat also gave members a platform to learn on pitching ideas to donors. The retreat was supported by CIVICUS.
Bhutan in the Age of Technology
“Bhutan in the Age of Technology” is the theme of the next issue of the Druk Journal, a journal of thoughts and ideas published twice yearly.
This comes at a time when technological innovations are taking hold of the world. Here in Bhutan, His Majesty The King has the vision to embrace technology so that our small nation can be more responsive, dynamic and efficient.
We’ve been working hard on this forthcoming the issues on technology that will look at how Bhutan is leveraging on IT in current efforts to improve how people and government work, and how Bhutan does business as a nation.
The issue includes articles from the futurist Gerd Leonhard, the author of the best-selling book, “Technology Vs Humanity” and others. Bhutanese writers include Dr Karma Phuntsho who will share his perspective on ITC and spiritualism. Academics from schools and colleges are also contributing to provide an insight into how our education system is able to or not able to make use of ICT to educate our children and youth. The articles will cover technology, cybersecurity, AI (artificial intelligence), Digital Drukyul, ICT in the Bhutanese education, among others.
The issue will be distributed at the International Technology Conference on 3 April 2020 at the Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies at Phuentsholing.
Read the Druk Journal today @www.drukjournal.bt
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