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Sangath, www.sangath.com, is looking to build a centre for services, training and research and seeks to buy approx 1500 to 2000 sq mtrs land betweeen Mapusa and Bambolim and surrounding rural areas. Please contact: contac...@sangath.com or yvo...@sangath.com or ph+91-9881499458 http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2009-July/180028.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Youth Leadership Programme held at Pilar In connection with its YEAR OF THE YOUTH theme for 2009, Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc., in collaboration with the Social Science Forum of Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar, organized a two-day State Level Youth Leadership Programme on 30th & 31st July 2009. Goa Sudharop is a non-profit, volunteer organization (USA based) of the Goan diaspora that has been actively working towards the development of Goa and for the betterment of Goans worldwide. The programme, entitled “CARPE DIEM (Seize the Day) - Taking Flight is a Matter of Choice” was held at the Retreat Centre, Pilar. Around 70 students from various colleges in Goa participated. The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Fr. Kyriel D’Souza, who encouraged students to become confident citizens ready to face the challenges of life. Mr. Ibonio D’Souza, Goa Representative, Goa Sudharop, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of training and educating the youth so that they, in turn, can contribute to the overall development of the nation. The first session of the training programme, ‘Taking Flight: Self Esteem’ was conducted by Mr. Pravin Sabnis (Unlearning Unlimited) who emphasized on motivation and developing self esteem. Students were shown interesting video clips on eminent people and their successes in life. The second session was ‘Believe in Yourself’ conducted by resource person, Mr. Somu Rao (Goa Science Forum). Using scientific demonstrations, Mr. Rao explained how logical thinking can overcome irrational fears and emphasized on the need to believe in oneself. Session 3 was on ‘Positive Personality’. The resource person for this session was Mr. Lester Fernandes (Unlearning Unlimited) who explained that it is natural for human beings to have positive and negative thoughts. What is important however, is to overcome the negative thoughts and to put the positive thoughts into action. Mr. Fernandes also emphasized on becoming ‘YES’ people, wherein: 1. ‘Y’ implies “Yearn for the Positive” 2. ‘E’ implies “Empower the Positive” 3. ‘S’ implies “ Serve the Positive” The session was followed by the screening of a few short films that sensitized the participants towards various issues like environment, conservation, etc. The post lunch session began with ‘Mandd’, wherein 3 resource persons; Mr. Soter D’Souza (Director, Centre for Panchayati Raj), Mr. Miguel Braganza (Columnist and Agriculturist) and Mr. V. Kamat (Right to Information Activist) spoke very effectively on issues related to Panchayati Raj, Environment and the Right to Information Act (RTI). The last session of the day was on ‘Effective Public Speaking’ by Mr. Pravin Sabnis wherein he also gave some very interesting tips on developing effective skills as an orator. On the second day, the first session by Ms. Rajashree Karapurkar, teacher & film maker, highlighted the need for the youth to be creative and sensitive. Session II was on ‘Women and Human Rights’. The resource person for this session was Adv. Albertina Almeida, advocate and human rights activist, who highlighted issues faced by women and the important role youth could play in changing the stereotypical attitudes of society towards women. The next session was on ‘Citizenship’ by Mr. Soter D’Souza where he emphasized that citizens not only have rights, but also duties towards the state and towards fellow citizens. The session was followed by a lively practical demonstration by Mr. Venkat on “Rhythmic Breathing”. He demonstrated various breathing techniques that help cleanse, oxygenate and keep the different organs of the body healthy, leading to a better quality of life. Post lunch, there was an interesting session called “Expressions” where participants from the various colleges got a chance to convey what they had imbibed through this workshop The creative and excellent poems, posters, group and solo songs, speeches and skits that the students came up with, were proof enough that the sessions had indeed been useful in providing participants with the required tools for leadership. The last session of the two-day workshop was conducted by Mr. Pravin Sabnis on ‘Soft Skills’ to help develop a broader vision, see things from different angles and to ‘learn to listen and listen to learn’. The two-day programme concluded with certificates to all the participants in a valedictory function presided by Rev. Fr. Feroz Fernandes, Editor, Vavradeacho Ixtt who also addressed the participants. Mr. Ibonio D’Souza, Goa Sudharop, gave the Vote of Thanks. More events to come reflecting our theme YEAR OF THE YOUTH. Thank you to the donors, well-wishers, volunteers, and supporters of Goa Sudharop. Goa Sudharop www.goasudharop.org
