Empower Bhutan's Citizens to Engage in Democracy

Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy’s efforts to inspire active citizens through youth engagement has seen positive outcome over various podcasting and multimedia workshops. Because of the positive responses reveived over the years, BCMD has organised one more podcasting workshop called 'Sharing and Engaging Youth Voice' from 5-8th Decmeber 2016 where thirty one youth participants from across the country participated

The youth learned about sound, sound production, editing, interviewing, script writing, transcription, photography and team work.The workshop also focused on the context of the social and environmental issues that Bhutanese community face. 

The outcome from this workshop was that youths were able to produce ten podcasts. After learning about technical skills, the youths identified various issues that they want to focus and voice on. A variety of stories based on the participant’s interest were covered. Some of the stories were about Different Healthy Life Style Doma, the Eighth Parliament Session, Good Parenting, Youth’s Engagement During winter break. The youth also interviews few Members of Paliament on 

Participants shared that they gained news skills in interviewing, photography, sound, and handling the recorders, cameras and editing software. They also shared about how they will now be able to take back the skills they acquired in this workshop and use it in their lives to share stories and help their friends share their stories as well.

The participants realized the importance of teamwork and how having good interview skills will help them achieve good interviews. They stressed on how important the 5 W’s and H (who, what, where, why and how) were while interviewing people. 

Over the four day workshop, the participants felt that they can bring about positive change in their community and it were also equiped them with the necessary skills and knowledge about sound, photography, interviewing skills, storyboarding and at the same time learning the importance of how powerful sharing their voice through podcast and multimedia can be.

The workshop ended with the participants screening their final finished podcasts. 

Links:

• The youths interview National Council Member on 8th parliament
• Views on good parenting
• Views from youth participants on the podcasting workshop