The Project will create an increased awareness on media literacy amongst the youth by conducting a series of media engagement classes. A local media expert will conduct photojournalism, digital storytelling and video-blogging classes. Through this training we hope that the youth will not only gain an understanding of how media functions, but also get their voices heard and be part of our democratic processes.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
The project will initially be carried out at Changjiji. And we would like to replicate the program in other four other READ communities.
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
We will target the youth in Changjiji Housing Complex where we have established a Community Library and Resource Center (READ Center). The community is a lowincome area living in government-subsidized housing. Most of the youth here have no access to Internet other than at the Center. By working in the community, the project will impact and add values to the lives of more than 10,000 people who reside in the colony, most of whom are youth.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
The youth will create media content and express their opinions on social issues affecting them through photographs, blogging and social networking. A Facebook group or a blog will be started as a platform to launch and showcase their stories, views and images. The participants will create content for a community newsletter, which will be published online – an initiative that will be coordinated solely by youth for other youth and adults alike.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
READ Bhutan already has a presence through our READ Center (first of its kind in the locality) that is frequented by children, youth and adults. We not only provide books, IT facilities and multimedia tools, but also social and outreach programs in health, women empowerment, early childhood development and leadership. We have youth volunteers and school children visit the center for various information and other academic supports.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
The Media Literacy Project will engage and train 70 youth split amongst two batches of participants. Each batch will receive training over a month. The 70 youth who receive the media literacy training will in turn form a youth E-ngage media group. The group will impart their skills and knowledge thus acquired to other youth in the community.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
Besides microgant funding, we are also looking for new ideas and engaging ways of carrying out similar programs from the network and other participants. We look forward to learning a great deal from your expertise especially in the field of citizen media, which will help us understand the best approaches and practices on how to launch and sustain a youth led online media group and platform.
Contact name
Ngawang Phuntsho
Organization
READ (Rural Education and Development) Bhutan