YMCA Batticaloa Youth Take Part in National Program on “The Right of Voices to Be Heard
BATTICALOA, SRI LANKA – In a powerful demonstration of youth leadership and civic engagement, young representatives from YMCA Batticaloa recently participated in a national-level youth program titled “The Right of Voices to Be Heard.” The initiative focused on empowering young Sri Lankans to express themselves freely, participate in decision-making processes, and advocate for inclusive representation in society.
Championing Freedom of Expression and Inclusion
The program, supported by civil society actors and youth-focused development partners, aimed to raise awareness about the fundamental right to freedom of speech, expression, and participation, especially for marginalized and underrepresented youth. Through workshops, panel discussions, and collaborative activities, participants explored how their voices can influence policies, challenge inequalities, and build more inclusive communities.
Amplifying Youth from the Eastern Province
The participation of YMCA Batticaloa youth brought valuable perspectives from Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province — a region with diverse ethnic and cultural identities. They shared lived experiences around the challenges of being heard in national discourse and engaged in meaningful dialogue about building stronger youth platforms for advocacy and storytelling.
Their contributions emphasized the importance of equal opportunity, safe spaces for expression, and institutional support to ensure that every young person — regardless of background — has the right to speak and be heard.
A Movement for Empowered Participation
The program also encouraged youth to take action beyond the sessions by initiating local dialogues, creating awareness campaigns, and fostering peer support networks. As part of their continued mission, YMCA Batticaloa plans to integrate these learnings into their youth programs and create platforms for young people to voice their concerns, ideas, and aspirations.
This initiative reaffirms the role of youth as active agents of change and underscores the need for a society that listens, includes, and respects the voices of its next generation. Through participation in programs like “The Right of Voices to Be Heard,” YMCA Batticaloa continues its commitment to building a just, inclusive, and youth-powered future for Sri Lanka.
