Transparency International Sri Lanka’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC) conducted a one-day training programme targeting youth in order to empower them on New Media Activism especially in their fight against Corruption. The workshop attended by 26 participants was held at Solis Hotel, Matara.
The participants were briefed on the many facets of corruption and its impact on wider society, especially youth. Thereafter, they were introduced to New Media and Social Media and how it can be appropriated to influence positive change in the country. This was achieved by showing timely, local and international examples. The training covered various social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google Plus, Instagram, Flicker and WordPress. Participants were be trained on various aspects such as uploading and sharing content on social media, promoting social media content, networking through social media, ethical frameworks and other related technical aspects such as privacy and security.
Participants were then asked to come up with ideas in terms of what they can do, some of which include, building an anti-corruption network through a facebook page, creating stories, cartoons, prose, videos, and stage-dramas, and exposing individuals and incidents of corruption on New media.
The Resource persons for the workshop were, Mr. Sampath Samarakoone, Editor, Vikalpa Voices, Mr. Jagath Liyanarachi AAL, Manager ALAC, and Mr Haritha Dahanayake IT Manager TISL.