Youth Conclave

Within RENEW’s dynamic youth network, DAISAN has played a pivotal role in spearheading transformative projects that transcend conventional boundaries. The Youth Conclave, a collaborative effort involving RENEW, MAVA, and Samuh, served as a platform to showcase DAISAN’s capabilities and address critical issues like mental health and gender concerns among Bhutan’s youth. The Conclave featured impactful movies, sparking insightful discussions, particularly among the younger participants. Conversations, enriched by diverse ideas and experiences, shed light on the challenges faced by Bhutanese youth. The event also emphasized creativity and expression, with schools presenting visually engaging materials on Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender-Based Violence, and Adolescents Mental Health. Post-Conclave, DAISAN transitioned into the digital realm with the Mini-Youth Carnival. Conducted in 27 DAISAN schools across 10 districts, the carnival centered around the theme “Tech4Youth: Enhancing Adolescents’ Mental Health Through Technology.” It aimed to showcase how technology could positively impact the mental health of young people. Notably, the Mini-Youth Carnival took a youth-led approach, with young individuals taking charge, generating ideas, and executing the entire event. This approach rendered the carnival authentic and relatable, emphasizing the exploration of self-care apps and challenging stereotypes around technology’s negative impact. Moreover, RENEW acknowledges the importance of youth representation in decision-making processes. Youth members are actively involved in the organization’s governance, with representatives holding positions on the Board. This commitment to incorporating the voices and perspectives of young individuals ensures that RENEW’s strategies and initiatives remain relevant and responsive to the needs of Bhutan’s youth. In a forward-looking approach, RENEW facilitates a seamless transition for youth engagement. As students progress from high school into higher secondary education, the DAISAN initiative evolves into Y-PEERS, a vibrant youth network under the care of MoESD. This continuum ensures that the focus on youth empowerment is not only sustained but also deepened as individuals progress through different stages of their education. It reflects a holistic and promising approach to youth engagement, aligning seamlessly with RENEW’s overarching goal of empowering the youth and fostering a society rooted in compassion and positive transformation.