3Qs with
Rukh Gurung-President, YUWA
Year of the Youth
Several youth organizations are coming together for Youth
Jatra 2010 on 11 and 12 August. Rukh Gurung, President of YUWA, and one of the
organizers, talks to Fr!day about the event:
What have been your concrete achievements so far, since you started
this initiative?
We have organized festivals that bring together youth. In 2005, we (not me) also formed the association of youth organization in Nepal (AYON). I think our greatest achievement has been the fact that we have brought awareness about youth issues and the ministry has started giving importance to youth policies and investing on them.
We have organized festivals that bring together youth. In 2005, we (not me) also formed the association of youth organization in Nepal (AYON). I think our greatest achievement has been the fact that we have brought awareness about youth issues and the ministry has started giving importance to youth policies and investing on them.
The event itinerary sounds fun and entertaining, but doesn’t
the social aspect of the event get lost?
Young people like entertainment and we are trying to mix a
social message with entertaining programs. For example, our b-boying program is
raising awareness about drug abuse. Similarly, we are creating platforms for
amateur performers and entrepreneurs, and we are organizing debates about
social issues. You could say that the ratio of entertainment and social message
for the event is to the tune of 60:40, but we have definitely not ignored the
latter.
Through programs like these, how do you plan to mobilize the
youth towards social activism?
The whole year is being celebrated as the year of the youth.
We are planning to create such platforms throughout the year. These events are
an opportunity for the youth to show their talents, strengths and abilities. In
doing so what we are trying to do is to also encourage them to work for causes
which would better the society that they are a part of. We are happy that several
organizations have come Together to create the youth Jatra.
(Sabrina Singh)
details:
Sabrina Singh. 2010. Interview: Year of the Youth. Fr!day Weekly, Issue 27, July 29-August 4, p. 10
29 July - 4 August 2010, ISSUE 27@ Fr!day Weekly
Opening Date: 11 August (Wednesday), 10 am to 5 pm. Closing
Date: 12 August (Thursday), 10 am to 1 pm. Free Entry, 9841504228
August 12, International Youth Day, is being celebrated by
Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON) and other organizers, through a
two-day program called Youth Jatra 2010, (11- 12 August). This event aims to
uphold the theme of “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding” which is also the theme
of International Youth Day. The two-day event will feature musical concerts,
b-boying, youth stalls (including those of food, games and entrepreneurship), documentaries
of youth issues, photo exhibitions and oratory programs, amongst others. A
number of youth leaders will also attend as guests.
Included in the closing ceremony is forum theatre, in which
the audience can stop a scene and suggest different actions for the actors,
thus involving the audience into the performance as well. A youth rally will
commence from the Ministry of Youth, Kamalpokhari, using eco-friendly vehicles,
and end at Jawalakhel.
Youth Jatra aims to empower the youth, encourage their
participation in society and sensitize them to issues of social activism.
International Youth Day has been celebrated on August 12,
since 1998. This year’s International Youth Day is a particularly important day
for youth around the world since the United Nations General Assembly has
proclaimed 2010 as the International Year of Youth. (Sabrina Singh - Fr!day Weekly, Issue 27, July 29-August 4, p. 10)
29 July 2010
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