“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” – Nelson Mandela.
The youth is energetic, creative, and ambitious. However, in a world constantly faced with challenges such as conflict and inequality, inspiration alone cannot sustain the journey ahead. It needs a solid set of skills to navigate these complexities. Addressing this concern, the Professional Development Avenue of the Rotaract Club of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, collaborated with AIESEC at the University of Colombo on YouLead, a groundbreaking initiative to celebrate Youth Skills Day 2024.
The theme for Youth Skills Day 2024 was “Youth Skills for Peace and Development”. Aligning with this vision, YouLead was unfolded with two impactful phases to emphasize the crucial role of young people in promoting global harmony and resolving conflicts. The first phase featured an enlightening webinar, which focused on the significance of ethical leadership and youth-driven peace-building. The second phase, an engaging Youth Skill Camp, aimed at moulding up the participants with essential leadership and teamwork skills.
Phase 1: A Webinar on Ethical Leadership
Held on the 7th of July, this insightful session titled “The Role of Youth Leaders as Global Peace Ambassadors: Ethical Leadership in Promoting a Peaceful Society” featured two distinguished speakers – Mr. Ashan Perera, founder of The Road to Rights, and Ms. Saumya Aggarwal, co-founder of Youth for Peace International.
Through an informative panel discussion and a lively Q&A, the webinar delved into ethical leadership, the path to becoming peace ambassadors, and leveraging digital platforms for global causes. The session left all the participants inspired and motivated to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Phase 2: Youth Skill Camp
On the 13th of July, the Youth Skill Camp brought over 70 participants together at the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, for a day of immersive learning and fun. Guided by expert speakers and interactive activities, attendees explored topics like personal branding, team dynamics, and volunteering’s societal impact. Highlights included the Human Knot Game, promoting teamwork, and an impromptu drama session, encouraging creativity and awareness of global issues.
The collaboration between RACFOSUOC and AIESEC in CC marked the first time our organizations united for such an impactful initiative, exemplifying the power of partnerships in achieving common goals. We are grateful to AIESEC at the University of Colombo for inviting us to launch this pioneering project. The project not only provided valuable leadership training but also instilled a sense of responsibility in participants to become proactive agents of change in their communities.
By providing participants with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges of today’s world, YouLead has proven that the youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the change-makers of today.
By: Rtr. Mokshana Alahakoon and Rtr. Yasuri Fernando.
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