The Burma Youth Leadership Program (BYLP) is a program funded by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) implemented by PH International. A group of 10 Burmese youth aged 17-19 and two adults travelled to the U.S. for six weeks of leadership training in the Spring of 2023. For Year Two, taking place in Spring 2024, a different group will visit the U.S. The goals of the program are to:
- Prepare Burmese youth leaders to become responsible citizens and contributing members of their communities;
- Empower participants to be actively engaged in addressing issues of concern in their communities;
- Build mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect through shared culture and values between the people of the United States and Burma; and
- Foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, racial, religious, and national groups.
Year One of the program was a success. Our Burma partner Doh Eain prepared the group for their journey with virtual and in-person sessions. During their time New York, Vermont, and Washington DC, the group engaged in various community service and educational projects, including two week-long retreats with our partner Sustainable Learning. They enjoyed their time staying with host families and learning about U.S. culture. Later, the group returned to Burma, where they implemented an impressive array of sustainability-based projects under Doh Eain’s guidance.
PH will build off Year One’s success during Year Two. With an updated list of local partners and continued collaboration with Doh Eain and Sustainable Learning, we plan on hosting another active exchange with our motivated participants.
