Two nations - one voice

A youth related programme titled, ‘International Training Programme on Education Empowerment’ was held at the Mercy Education Complex in Puttalam, Sri Lanka recently with the participation of youth from many countries. The programme was designed by the Chairperson of the International Youth Council, Sri Lanka (IYCSL), Z Sadham Dhikran and International Project Coordinator, IYCSL, Nikhil D’Souza. The sessions were conducted by Vinay Shankar and Director - Expansions of the JusTeach Foundation, India, Ravi Kumar Balasubramanyam. The Training sessions and workshops were facilitated by Project Coordinators of IYCSL, Sulaiman Rameez and Ayazlien Nazrul, Volunteer Manager of IYCSL, Isham Marikar and M Mufariz.

Isham Marikkar conducting a leadership training session with Kids

The Training programme aims to bridge India-Sri Lanka efforts to uplift the spirit of humanity through educating and empowering, teachers and less-fortunate children. This programme will bridge the gap in educational opportunities faced by children living in orphanages by creating a platform which will bring together qualified young teachers and volunteers to teach English, interact with the children and train them; they conduct this training session with highly qualified trainers from JusTeach Foundation, India. Furthermore the International Youth Council has conducted training sessions on Life management, Positive thinking and Leadership skills development and Relationship balancing workshop for students and teachers as well.

The Sri Lankan Chapter of the International Youth Council was found on July 31, 2012. The founding chairman, Z Sadham Dhikran was inspired to start the Sri Lankan chapter after he witnessed the levels of effort which was taken by youth around the world at the sixth world youth congress which was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Five months after its inception the IYCSL chapter engaged in its first youth exchange and partnership meeting in Malaysia on December 27 and 28, 2012 with the United Nations Association of Malaysia - Youth Circle. After successfully laying its foundation in all aspects, IYCSL embarked on its first project on March 13, 2013.

The idea of starting JusTeach foundation was by Nikhil D’Souza and Nihal D’Souza and it was started in January 2013 in Mysore city, India. The main objective of this foundation is to restore faith in humanity by Education.

The two day training was focused on the biology of communication, skills management, and developing instincts.

Vinay Shankar who is one of India’s youngest performance consultants stated that “It is all about adding value to humanity. The International Youth Council and JusTeach foundation are striving to uplift the level of education around the world.”

They encourage youth people to get involved with them to build a global forum and platform on which all young people can develop a unified voice and take collective action toward social, economic and environmental progress. To be considered for volunteering, email a letter of interest, and attach your curriculum vitae to: [email protected]