NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An exciting opportunity is being extended to 20 aspiring Bahamian youth with a special focus on activism. The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) is accepting applicants for its “Me, You, Us Youth Saloon” to engage youth in community development and active citizenship.
The initiative is open to activists and changemakers between 16 and 24 and will engage them in a unique opportunity to address gender-based violence in The Bahamas. Those interested in applying for the program can register at www.orgbahamas.com/org_education_programs. The deadline to apply for the program is Wednesday, June 23, 2021.
“This program focuses on youth voice amplification and sees them as stakeholders and agents of their own development,” said Tiffany A Bain, ORG’s education lead. “Our aim is to empower youth as changemakers today to become the policymakers of tomorrow.”
ORG’s “Me, You, Us Youth Saloon” will allow its participants to learn more about gender-based violence and its impact through workshops with ORG’s partners, which will give them an opportunity to design interventions to impact their communities.
“This program is preparing our youth for success by supporting their social and emotional growth. These skills are critical for leadership and effective communication. The engagement and development of well-rounded young persons in this country is essential to our sustainability,” stated Matthew Aubry, ORG executive director.
The initiative will train and support the youth participants to design and implement four programs aimed at reducing gender-based violence in the country and will include:
- A six-week summit;
- Program launch and monitoring; and
- A community-based platform to discuss their designs and impact.
ORG will collaborate with a range of local organizations, stakeholders and community leaders with experience and expertise in the areas of youth development and gender affairs. These partners will serve as mentors, lead training workshops and provide guidance as participants develop their programs.
“We want to ensure the youth participants have a comprehensive learning experience,” expressed Aubry. “One of our goals is to demonstrate the power of public-private partnerships in community and national development. It is vital that we show our youth that partnership is a pathway to success as a country.”
To learn more about the “Me, You, Us Youth Saloon”, visit ORG’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ORGBahFoundation.
