DIOCESE OF PYAY

Training the Youth to become Peacebuilders

Training the Youth to become Peacebuilders | Myanmar

In 2020, we received a project request for a five-day training programme on media awareness from the Diocese of Pyay in Myanmar. In this interview, Fr. Mariano Hla Ko tells us more about how the programme will help young people understand and share the importance of mass media, media etiquette, and media ethics

Could you tell us more about the human impact the project will have on the community?

As we all know, in our country these days, human rights are neglected, media laws are disregarded, and so forth Participants in the training programme can define and relate to the basics of all forms of media, media laws and ethics, identify varied forms of new media communication, and recognize new media as a way of life and impart it to their neighbours. The project is urgently needed to solve the current harmful situation

How do you see the situation in your community once the project is implemented?

The training programme will create useful media resources to serve the community in our diocese and region. In addition, the role, teachings and activities of the Catholic Church will be promoted Media communication in our diocese is still behind that of the other dioceses in the country To get the news from every parish in time, we need many journalists among our youths.

What can you tell us about the community where the project will take place?

Our diocese is divided into two parts: the riverine section, and the maritime section The project will be taking place at St. Paul’s intermediate Seminary in Pyay, for several reasons: there is a big building with enough electricity and water supply; it is close to the Bishop’s house and the diocesan centre; and lastly, transportation would be the best for the attendants

What are the main objectives of this project?

My objectives are to proclaim the good news, witness our Holy, One and Apostolic Catholic Church, and train the youth and personnel on media subjects (such as writing, broadcasting, or multiple platforms like YouTube, Facebook, blogs, etc ) Those who are undergoing the training can become media professionals and media producers In the past, we only offered media awareness courses. Now, I plan to provide an introductory course.

Why do you think PSPF should continue to support these types of projects?

As a developing country and knowing the difficulties mentioned above, without POF help, we could not help our youth promote peacebuilding by using the media. As we all know, nowadays, the media is the most effective weapon both for peacebuilders and war creators. If we cannot teach our youth the ethics and importance of trustworthy media, conflicts and fake news may destroy our country, communities and human societies. Guiding our new generations not to be war creators but to be peacebuilders by using the media is, nowadays, vital.

Published on 13/07/21