Young people from schools across Bhutan have called for more meaningful participation in shaping policies that directly affect their lives, emphasising that youth perspectives should be included in national decision-making processes.
The appeal came during a week-long Summer Youth Engagement Programme organised by RENEW in Thimphu, where 57 students representing 28 schools engaged with Members of Parliament and shared recommendations on issues ranging from youth welfare and gender equality to comprehensive sexuality education.
Designed to strengthen civic awareness and leadership among adolescents, the programme introduced participants to parliamentary procedures, civic engagement, youth rights and online safety. The learning sessions culminated in a dialogue with lawmakers, where students presented policy recommendations informed by their own experiences and concerns.
The programme also provided a platform for youth-led discussions on emerging challenges in the digital space, including cyberbullying and technology-facilitated violence and abuse, encouraging participants to explore practical responses to issues increasingly affecting young people.
Many participants described the experience as empowering, saying it encouraged them to move beyond being passive recipients of government initiatives and become active contributors to policymaking.
Unish Ghalleay, a student of Karma Academy in Paro, said the programme reinforced the importance of involving young people in decisions about the country’s future.
“Making policies is not only for older people, but it should also be based on youth because we are the ones building our future, and we will be the ones working in it,” he said. “I will try to advocate for and implement my takeaways in day-to-day life. Programmes like this advocate for youth and help us to understand the real essence of being a youth, a real builder of the future.”
For RENEW Youth Ambassador Sushil Rai, one of the programme’s most significant lessons was gaining a broader understanding of comprehensive sexuality education.
“One of my biggest takeaways from this programme is that Comprehensive Sexuality Education is not only about reproductive health. It is about equipping young people with accurate knowledge, life skills and values to make informed and responsible decisions,” he said. “I also learned the importance of consent, respect, gender equality, healthy relationships and breaking the stigma around discussing sexual and reproductive health.”
Chimi Tshoki Yangden, a member of the Druk Adolescents’ Initiative on Sexual Awareness Network (DAISAN), said the sessions enhanced her understanding of human rights, sexuality education and youth rights, and motivated her to share that knowledge with others.
“I learned about human rights, comprehensive sexuality education, rights and wrongs. I will advocate for these things with my peers,” she said. “Such programmes are important because they help youth become more vocal about sexuality education and youth rights.”
According to the organisers, initiatives that encourage dialogue between young people and policymakers are essential for nurturing informed, responsible and engaged citizens who are prepared to contribute to the country’s development.
