Dhaka: British Council is working worldwide to bring about sustainable social change within communities by training youths as volunteers in the field of networking and social leadership excellence under the ‘Active Citizens’ program.

This universal flagship project started its international educational tour in Bangladesh on January 16, and will continue till 23rd of this month.

As many as 25 youngsters from Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Sudan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Lebanon, Vietnam and Myanmar participated in the tour here.

However, two students from Pakistan could not attend due to visa complications.

The volunteering youths will know the culture of Bangladesh through the tour.

As part of the program, a ‘Tour Marketplace’ was arranged at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (January 17). Participants built their stalls showcasing their heritage and cultures.

Project director Tawfiq Hasan told banglanews, “Every youngster wants to work for their nation. All they lack is the know-how”.

“British Council organizes this four-day workshop to provide the volunteers detailed-knowledge about culture, community, communication, project management and many more topics.”

He further said, “The program has started in Bangladesh since 2012. The British Council has trained around 26,000 students worldwide under the project till now”.

“Among the trained students, as many as 120 youngsters get chosen for the educational tour where they can share each other’s experiences and apply them accordingly in their respective countries,” he added.

According to the council, ‘Active Citizens’ is a social leadership training program that promotes intercultural dialogue and community-led social development.

Through the program, the British Council brings together people with different beliefs and perspectives to learn from and share with each other.

Working with the partners around the globe, it trains participants in the skills and knowledge needed to affect social change in their communities.

‘Active Citizens’ connects thousands of like-minded people around the world who collectively want to make fairer and more inclusive society.

BDST: 1947 HRS, JAN 18, 2016
AIK/SR/RR