By Tila Maya Kharka | Assst. Communications Officer
Workshop on Nurturing Student Representatives
A Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop on Nurturing Student Representatives was conducted from 6th – 8th May in Tsirang District. The objective of this workshop was to equip educators with the necessary tools and strategies to foster a Democratic School Culture and Empower Student Representatives. A total of 28 teachers from nine schools within Tsirang district attended the workshop.
The initiative was aimed at promoting active student participation and fostering civic engagement within educational institutions.The session emphasised the significance of cultivating a democratic school culture as a foundational step towards nurturing responsible citizenship among young minds. Participants identified existing practices of a democratic school culture, including student participation in decision-making, involvement of student body representatives in all school administration meetings, school leadership election, and community involvement. The participants were also introduced to the tools for promoting a more participatory and democratic culture within the school environment.
Teachers collectively discovered the importance of parental engagement and inclusivity in fostering democratic ethos in the schools as well as within the community.
One of the participants praised the idea of including student leaders’ opinions in school policies and involving them in coordination meetings as a way to teach democratic values to students. In addition, students become empowered as well as responsible for decisions that affect their own lives and those of their cohort.
The event was implemented through the project title, “ Project Mikhung (2.0): Capacitating the Local Government and citizens to strengthen people-centred planning.”
Empowering Service Providers: Advocating for Inclusive Service Delivery
BCMD convened two- rounds of consultation with six CSOs on the 8th and 17th of April 2024 to co-create the programme on Empowering Service Providers: Advocating for Inclusive Service Delivery with the following objectives:
The final one day advocacy event was held on 31st May in Le Meridien, Thimphu on the theme, ‘Empowering Service Providers for Inclusive Service Delivery.’ More than 60 participants from partner CSOs, relevant government offices, law enforcement, Wangsel Institute for the Deaf, corporations and financial institutions attended the event.
The following CSOs and organisations presented at the event:
1. Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) & Disabled People’s Organization of Bhutan (DPoB) , and Phensem Parent Group further highlighted the challenges faced by the vulnerable groups and parents of children born with disabilities through their personal and lived- experiences. This brought to the forefront the opportunities and possibilities that the Bhutanese Society could collectively achieve in making every Bhutanese child a productive human being. The highlight of the presentation was on the need for an inclusive approach to catering to the needs of all vulnerable sections of Bhutanese society, vulnerable children, women, youths, People with Disabilities, and parents and/or caregivers of children living with neuro-developmental disorders, LGBT+, etc.
2. Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women (RENEW): highlighted the services that it rendered to its beneficiaries through its various programmes.
3. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH): Ms. Dechen Tshomo, Occupational Therapist from JDWNRH, presented the medical perspectives on the needs and challenges of Persons with 4. Disabilities and sensitised the gathering that disability is not a choice but a medical condition and that it needed empathy and appropriate response from society.
4. The PEMA Secretariat: presented the services it offers, catering to the needs of those dealing with mental health issues through their four-pronged approach of I) Prevention & Engagement, II) Response Services, III) Treatment and Rehabilitation, and IV) Reintegration and Aftercare. Through an interactive session, it also generated an opportunity to understand the challenges faced by the vulnerable groups in the area of mental health and wellbeing, in addition to identifying opportunities for relevant CSO-collaboration with The PEMA on policies and implementation gaps and addressing these gaps.
5. Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) Law School: presented the legal framework and legal recourse that people living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups could take to access justice in a fair, transparent and equitable manner. The presentation also highlighted the current challenges in terms of limited understanding of accessing justice and emphasised the need to make legal service delivery more inclusive as well as enable all people to access their rights and understand their responsibilities appropriately.
6. Financial Institutions (FIs): Representing the FIs, the Bank of Bhutan (BoB) presented the various initiatives undertaken within the bank targeting the needs of the vulnerable groups and enabling them easy access to its services such as-
i) Voice guidance feature- BoB offices in Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing and Samtse ensure visually impaired people independently perform their financial transaction.
ii) Audio notification in Mbob: Both IOS and Android have audio notifications for every transaction.
iii) Dzongkha language services: Both Mbob and the website have the Dzongkha language.
iv) Braille numberings: Elevator /ATM has a braille numbering to better navigate the services.
vi) Dedicated facilities: Dedicated washroom facilities and wheelchair-friendly environment in and around the bank premises for disabled people to ensure comfort and convenience.
vii) Priority counter service: Since 2021, BoB has implemented priority counter services, allowing pregnant individuals, elders, and persons with disabilities to access banking services efficiently, reaffirming BoB’s commitment to equal access for all.
viii) Gender and non-discriminatory policy: Whenever there is a new recruit, they are briefed on the gender policy and again reminded during the annual branch managers’ meeting.
This event stemmed from the two Design Thinking (DT) workshops and online campaign titled, #peoplecentredpolicy organised by BCMD in 2023. Among the numerous recommendations put forth, the common concern that emerged then was the accessibility of information and services by nearly all the vulnerable groups, and across various demographics, indicating a critical need for intervention.
This event was also covered by National Media- https://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=204458
Knowledge-Sharing Session on GNH-Based Participatory Planning and Community Analysis
BCMD organised a one-day Knowledge-Sharing Session on GNH-Based Participatory Planning and Community Analysis on 28 June 2024 at Thimphu. The event convened over 60 local government (LG) officials from Thimphu, Paro, Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Trongsa, where previous training initiatives on GNH-Based Participatory Planning and Community Analysis were conducted. Government officials from the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management (DLGDM) were also in attendance.
The main objective of the session was to disseminate the benefits of the essential skills and practical tools acquired from previous training. Participants exchanged good practices implemented within their respective communities and engaged in co-learning activities. The platform also encouraged LG officials to discuss challenges faced in executing the tools and provided feedback on the effectiveness of the tool for improvement. Additionally, LG officials from the 12 gewogs in Tsirang Dzongkhag also participated in the event, as the training is being extended to Tsirang this year under “Project Mikhung 2.0- Capacitating the Local Government and Citizens to Strengthen People-Centred Planning.”
The initiative was designed to support inclusive planning processes and foster sustainable community-driven development initiatives. Through these efforts, BCMD aims to enhance the capacity of local government officials to effectively engage in participatory planning, ensuring that development initiatives are both inclusive and responsive to the needs of the community.
Youth Initiative Summer Camp 2024
A group of 33 enthusiastic young individuals from various schools and colleges across Paro, Thimphu, Haa, Samtse, Gedu, and Bumthang participated in a four-day Youth Initiative Summer Camp at the Royal Thimphu College. This camp has united children from the Summer and Winter Youth Initiative Camps of 2023, who contributed to the Alternative Report on Child Rights in Bhutan, along with a few new participants.
During the camp, the participants explored their rights, closely reviewed the concluding observations on Bhutan's combined sixth and seventh periodic reports, and developed actionable plans to promote and protect children's rights in Bhutan. Additionally, they learned about their responsibilities while exercising their rights.
On the final day of the camp, a half-day advocacy event on child rights was organised with the relevant stakeholders. The event provided a crucial platform for the participants to voice their concerns and advocate on issues affecting children’s rights in Bhutan and call for actions to address the issues. Her Excellency, the Education Minister along with members of the parliament, agencies and civil society organisations working for the welfare of the children attended the advocacy event.
During the advocacy event, the children participants took centre stage, presenting thoughtful discussions on several fundamental rights of children in Bhutan. They addressed issues concerning children's rights to education, participation, protection from violence and harmful substances, privacy, appropriate information, as well as access to health, water, and food. Alongside identifying these critical issues, the children also proposed actionable solutions to address them effectively.
Sensitization Workshop for National Council of Bhutan on Civil Society Organisations
To foster better understanding, creating a trust and greater recognition of respective actors' contribution to good governance and democracy, esteemed members of National Council of Bhutan and Civil Society Organisations have come together for the sensitisation workshop from 15th July - 17th July.
This consultation has come in light with a commitment to bridge the gap between respective sectors to promote cooperation and institute inclusive policy making.
The Centre presented its programmes including the overview of its project, 'Building Inclusive Democracy: Civil Society, Parliamentarians, Media and Youth strengthen good governance in Bhutan.'The NC members expressed their support towards the project component and activities that will be implemented under the project.
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