Integration seminar in UK
Bhutanese Welfare Association in the UK (BWA) successfully held a seminar on ‘Integration Through Education’ on 27 July 2013 in at St. Andrew Church in Rochdale. The seminar that aimed at promoting integration of Bhutanese students and youths into the wider British society saw presence of 20 participants, and numerous supporters, audiences and well-wishers.
The event, co-ordinated by Sitaram Pokhrel and Rekha Subba, and led by a team of four expert facilitators Yam Khadka, Dr. Prakash Subedi, Dr Suresh Chhetri (Chauwan) and Bhadri Subedi, covered sessions on: ‘What is integration?, Integrating to education system, Challenges of integration, Negotiating the challenges and Success stories. The sessions were highly interactive with group activities, quizzes and question answer chores that added practical benefits to the participants. Success stories and inspiring messages received from the supporters from across the Bhutanese diaspora and beyond were shared with the participants.
The seminar offered an opportunity for the Bhutanese youth and students to discuss the challenges they face in their journey to integration, and thus inspiring them to take up higher education to better equip themselves to combat these challenges.
In his opening speech, Durga Giri, the Chairman of the BWA, highlighted the importance of education in integration and expressed his determination to organise such seminars and conferences in the forthcoming days. “Education is the first step towards achieving integration. Education should incorporate learning life skills, so such colloquiums are indispensable for youths and students to cope with full spectrum of integration challenges”, said Giri. Appreciating the contributions facilitators, Giri called the event a unique learning opportunity for the youths and students.
Tara Nidhi Niroula and Khara Nanda Pokhrel are assigned to compile comprehensive report of the seminar, analyse the cost and benefit and make recommendations for follow up programmes.
The seminar ended with certificates being distributed to all the participants, facilitators, volunteers and expert observers.