Information
Around 50 deaf delegates from North India attended a three-day workshop. The first day began with the introductory session addressed by Shri Stanzin Dawa, Regional Coordinator, RGNIYD, Regional Centre Chandigarh, which gave the deaf participants a brief outlook of the topic "Leadership & Advocacy" and the role it played in our lives. During the workshop, core aspects of leadership are clearly defined and explained through various team building activities, group discussions, indoor-outdoor exercises by the mentors.
Shri Uday Bhaskar, Trainer from the Deaf Enabled Foundation, Hyderabad (Telangana) shared the detailed information about leadership styles, theories and attributes of successful leaders, levels of maturity, skills & competencies. Examples of key lessons learnt from famous historical figure like Mahatma Gandhi who was the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India.
Importance of water conservation has been addressed by Dr. Jigmet Yangchan, Junior Scientist, HMAARI from Ladakh, to protect the water environment and to meet current and future human demand. The goals of water conservation efforts include:-
1. Ensuring availability of water for future generations.
2. Energy conservation
3. Water saving technology for the home chores.
The team members of RGNIYD conducted a different sessions on Johari Window which is a technique used to help people better understand their relationship with themselves as well as others. During the exercise, subjects are given a list of a few adjectives out of which they need to pick some that they feel describe their own personality. The eight-step process on grassroots advocacy was also discussed to develop a strategy to advocate for a change. An Interpreter bridged the communication gap between deaf participants and facilitators through Sign Language.
Participants were also made familiar with the various tools and the power point presentation which will be used for deaf empowerment in community. The focus was on the topic of "SWOT" (Strength, weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and group discussions. The workshop concluded with the aim of sharing the knowledge with others to increase the team building qualities in deaf community. Certificate of Participation (COP) along with group photograph has been distributed to all the participants. Addressing the participants, Shri Stanzin Dawa of the RGNIYD said, "Your circumstances should not define your limitations; rather they should help you to redefine your potential and the power within you to make things possible."
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Regional Centre, Chandigarh in collaboration with National Association of the Deaf (NAD).