Active Citizens Programme is a global programme with partners in over 77 countries. It promotes intercultural-dialogue, citizenship education, the role of youth in social leadership and social development. Further, it aims at promoting the community cohesion and improvement through civic engagement, and the students will be able to become a part of a global network of resourceful and effective Active Citizens by engaging in Active Citizens programme. In Sri-Lanka Active Citizens is run under the guidance of the British Council.
General Sir John Kotelawela Defence University (KDU) has also become a partner in the successful journey of the Active Citizens Programme since November 2020.
Accordingly, a group of 43 students representing the two-degree programmes BA in TESOL and BSc in ADSC representing the Department of Languages, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities has successfully completed the six days online training offered by the British Council. Upon the successful completion of the online training, the Active Citizens of KDU were eligible to carry out their proposed social action projects. They have designed their projects catering to the Sustainable Development Goals stipulated by the United Nations and the progress of their projects will constantly be monitored by a panel of experts and the overall programme is coordinated by Ms.Wasana Sudusinghe from the Department of Languages.
On 12th of November 2021, the students have officially commenced their social action projects following the virtual project launch.
Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc M.phil the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was the chief guest of the Virtual Project Launch. Further, Brigadier Wipula Chandrasiri, RSP USP psc the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Administration). Prof. Sanath Dhammika, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics). Mr.Kithsiri Amaratunga, the Dean Faculty of Management ,Social Sciences and Humanities. Deans of the other faculties and Major Wimansha Abeywickrama the Head, Department of Languages were among the distinguished gathering.
The occasion was also graced by Ms.Thushara Gunasekara, the Manager Society; British Council and Dr. Bimali Indrarathne, lecturer from the University of York, United Kingdom, Dr.Charith Silva , lecturer from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.
Active Citizens Programme will be a golden opportunity for the youth to become empowered and actively engage in the development of their communities. This will inspire the students to become future leaders with high degree of social responsibility.
