I really liked the methodology used to deliver the Active Citizens Program. Initially, I didn’t have any idea what the British Council does, except for handling English language proficiency examinations and classes. However, my continuous engagement since 2012 helped me to see how British Council Sri Lanka operates with programmes all over the island, ultimately contributing to building new partnerships and cultural relationships.
When I joined the British Council’s Active Citizens Programme in 2012 I was just a young individual who was really passionate about Social Work and Volunteerism but still had no idea where to begin. British Council Sri Lanka showed me a clear path while nurturing me as an Active Citizen.
With this experience, I was started my own voluntary organisation called H3 Foundation – Hearts and Hands of Humanity which promotes volunteerism among Sri Lankan youth. Then I got trained as a Facilitator for Active Citizens programme in 2014 giving me the opportunity to interact with hundreds of young people all over the island while delivering programmes that empowered them to come up with their own social action projects. Recently I was invited to serve as a member of the Advisory Panel and Task Force for ‘Next Generation’ Research Study published by British Council, a study that examines the behaviour of Sri Lankan youth in our post-conflict situation. Currently, I serve as one of the Core Team members for the Facilitators Pool of British Council Active Citizens Programme.
The International Study Visit 2012 which took place in Bangladesh was one of the highlights of my journey giving me a whole new perspective on how young people can engage in social action and making a great impact on my thinking. I also deem it a privilege to have met His Royal Highness Prince Edward in 2018 to make a presentation on our on-going social action projects under the theme: Peace Reconciliation. Throughout the years The Active Citizens Programme has been reaching out to diverse communities while empowering many young people to engage in social action. The programme itself has become a link between different communities in Sri Lanka while achieving its objective of cultural relationships.
My journey with British Council has made a significant impact on my life so that it can be showcased as a success story. When I joined the British Council’s Active Citizens Programme in 2012 I was just a young individual who was really passionate about Social Work and Volunteerism but still had no idea where to begin. British Council Sri Lanka showed me a clear path while nurturing me as an Active Citizen.
I was able to pass a number of significant other milestones throughout the years, becoming the Official Sri Lankan Youth Delegate to the United Nations in 2016 and the Speaker of Sri Lanka Youth Parliament in 2017, thanks to the continuous support and the encouragement to become who I am today. I would like to invite all the young citizens out there to come and experience what I have experienced with British Council and make a positive change in your life story!
