CARE International’s ‘YOUth CREATE’ project conducts Forum Theatre Stakeholders Event in Mannar

Friday, 22 January 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A special program encouraging the creativity of youth was held at the JICA hall in Mannar District Secretariat recently. The event was jointly organised by the ‘YOUth CREATE’ project of CARE International and Mannar District Secretariat. District Secretary M.Y.S Deshapriya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The project Youth CREATE (culture, reconciliation, education, art, theatre and expressions) funded by the European Union aims at utilising culture and arts as a means to build up linkages across seemingly incommensurable ethnic and regional divides in the country. The project is expected to increase the cooperation and collaborative action between youth and cultural actors from diverse communities, media and civil society active in promoting human rights and democracy; increase use of cultural content promotes democratisation, reconciliation and conflict resolution via dance, forum theatre, fiction writing and film and channels for cultural exchanges.

The project will bring together a number of cultural actors with an established reputation, credibility and technical expertise in varies art forms at regional and national level to develop cultural content focusing on reconciliation, democratisation and conflict resolution. The stakeholder’s event was organised to introduce the services of the Mannar Forum Theatre troupe formed by YOUth CREATE project. Challenges faced by youth were expressed through the forum theatre performance and short films condemning social injustices and university ragging were also portrayed.

Forum theatre performance engaged the audience in generating a discussion on addressing issues faced by young people on child labour and other related socio-economic problems.Speaking at the occasion the District Secretary Mr Deshapriya emphasised the importance of uniting people who are divided by race, language and culture. He stated that through these programs peace and reconciliation can be made and create a non-violent society thorough out the country.

Care International is already implementing the ‘YOUth CREATE’ project in districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Batticaloa, Ampara, Galle, Moneragala, Kandy and Colombo till the end of 2016 and expecting to build sustainable initiatives to take the project products and learning beyond 2016. More details about ‘YOUth CREATE’ could be found through project website http://youthcreate.lk/.