Alena Tansey, the Office Director for the Office of Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) at USAID, visited a female Listening Group’s audio session in Ratnapalong, Ukhiya Upazila, on 27 October 2024. The visit highlighted the impact of community-driven initiatives aimed at fostering resilience, social cohesion, and youth engagement in Cox’s Bazar.
The session was conducted under the “YPSA YouthRISE activities (Youth are Resilient, Interconnected, Socially Cohesive and Engaged)” program, implemented by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) with support from BBC Media Action and funded by USAID. The program focuses on empowering youth to be resilient, interconnected, socially cohesive, and actively engaged in their communities, targeting Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas in Cox’s Bazar.
Attendees of the Visit
Several notable individuals accompanied Alena Tansey during the visit, including:
- Mohammed Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director of YPSA
- Jishu Barua JB, Assistant Director of YPSA and Focal Person of the YouthRISE project
- Adil Uddin, Project Officer
- Bana Ratna Tanchangya, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
The session of audio drama of “A’ayo Jani” season 3 was facilitated by Community Engagement Facilitator Mrs. Jenia Akter, with assistance from Mr. Md. Nasir Uddin.
Community Impact
The Listening Group’s audio session featured an interactive audio drama, engaging participants in discussions around critical social issues. These sessions aim to build awareness, enhance critical thinking, and promote constructive dialogue within the community.
During the session, Alena Tansey expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts of YPSA and its partners in implementing innovative programs to strengthen community resilience and promote inclusivity. She acknowledged the dedication of facilitators and community members in making such initiatives successful.
About YPSA YouthRISE
The YouthRISE project works towards equipping young people with the skills and platforms needed to drive positive social change on conflict mitigation in non-violence way through “Audio drama session and Community Screening session. By creating safe spaces for dialogue and engagement, the project fosters understanding and collaboration among diverse groups.
The program’s activities include conducting audio drama sessions and community screening with a particular focus on youth aged 18-35 years.
Moving Forward
The visit underscored USAID’s commitment to supporting grassroots initiatives that empower communities and amplify youth voices. As the YouthRISE program continues to unfold, it promises to strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of collective responsibility within Ukhiya and Teknaf.
This visit by a senior USAID official not only highlights the significance of the project but also provides encouragement for ongoing and future efforts in creating a more cohesive and engaged community in Cox’s Bazar.
