By Tila Maya Kharka | Asst. Communications Officer
Situation Analysis for Community-Based Integrated Programming in Samtse, Chhukha and Dagana
As part of Bhutan’s integrated programming approach, the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) successfully concluded a series of Children and Youth Consultations across Chhukha, Dagana, and Samtse districts. Held over consecutive weekends from 7th April to 12th May 2025, the consultations were carried out in close collaboration with local governments, relevant ministries, and key stakeholders.
These multisectoral consultations were aimed at informing long-term, sustainable impacts aligned with the priorities outlined in Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. The initiative reflects a strong governmental commitment to addressing the holistic needs and wellbeing of children and adolescents in targeted communities.
The selection of the districts—Samtse, Chukha, and Dagana—was based on the Royal Government of Bhutan’s prioritisation. In total, 38 participants aged 13 to 24 from the gewogs of Dumtoed, Dophuchen, Trading, Namgaychhoeling, Norgaygang, and Sangngagchoeling in Samtse took part in the first round of consultations including students, school dropouts, and persons with disabilities,. In Chhukha, 20 youth participated from Doongna, Bongo, and Getena gewogs. The final leg of the consultation series in Dagana engaged 40 students from the gewogs of Khebisa, Lajab, Tashiding, Tsankha, and Karna. The process adopted an inclusive, participatory approach to ensure representation from a diverse group of children and young people across both rural and urban settings.
The consultations focused on six critical themes that affect young people’s lives and communities: Education, Health and Hygiene, Social Protection, Poverty, Climate change and WASH, and Participation. The participants recommended solutions to address the root causes and challenges they faced through using tools such as focus group discussions, thematic presentations, the Problem Tree Analysis and the Frequency-Severity Matrix drawing from their lived experiences.
The consultations revealed significant awareness gaps between rural and urban youth, underscoring the importance of inclusive participation and the need for targeted policy interventions. The perspectives and recommendations will inform programme and policy designs and further support the Government’s efforts in child- and youth-focused development across the identified districts.
Youth Summit Programme 2025
Sherubtse College hosted the Youth Summit Programme 2025 over the weekend of 19th and 20th April, organised by the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD). The two-day residential programme brought together 60 students aged 12 to 18 from Rangjung Central School, Jampeling Central School, and Trashigang Middle Secondary School, providing them with a vibrant platform to explore civic rights, media literacy, and active citizenship.
Throughout the summit, participants engaged in a range of interactive activities including the power walk, open-floor discussions, and group exercises. Using tools such as the But-Why and Problem Tree Analysis, the students explored root causes of pressing youth issues, from unemployment and lack of sports facilities to social anxiety, overreliance on artificial intelligence (AI) and social media, peer discrimination, and cyberbullying. These sessions encouraged critical thinking and reflection, allowing participants to share their own experiences and learn from one another.
Students also reflected on their roles as active citizens, recognising both their rights and responsibilities, and envisioned ways they could help build more inclusive and supportive communities. Through creative drawing exercises, they imagined their ideal communities, and during group presentations, proposed thoughtful solutions to the issues discussed — demonstrating creativity, insight, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
BCMD partnered with the local government of Trashigang Dzongkhag and the Department of School Education and Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan. The Youth Summit has continued to serve as an important platform for amplifying young voices, nurturing youth leadership, and fostering a more engaged and informed generation of Bhutanese citizens.
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