Thirteen Nepal Youth Turn Media Professionals!
The SIGNIS Asia Commlab Programme was held successfully from 27 September to 2 October, 2019 in collaboration with St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, Nepal. The programme was held at Nepal Jesuits Social Institute (NJSI), thanks to Fr. Jomon Jose, the Vice-Principal of St. Xavier’s College who invited SIGNIS Asia Commlab to Nepal and Fr. Roy Sebastian who provided all logistical support.
Thirteen Catholic young and enthusiastic students of St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu participated in this intensive seven day programme. One of the important outcome of the programme was the production of short films by the participants titled, ‘The Green Hope’ focusing on the issue of migration, ‘Voice from the Slum’, on the plights of the poor and the homeless, and ‘The Holy River’, on the pollution around the famous Pasupathinath Temple of Kathmandu.
These three films were screened during the graduation ceremony on the final day afternoon for special guests from colleges, schools, SIGNIS Nepal and various associations in Kathmandu. The guests appreciated the participants for their creativity and commitment towards the marginalized which were well reflected in their films.
‘The themes chosen for the videos are highly relevant and the quality of the films are in par with BBC standards’ said Fr. Stephen SDB, the Vice-Principal of Nepal Don Bosco School, Lubhu.
‘’I am highly impressed by the films by the students who completed them within merely seven days of training and I wish them to do more in the future’ said Fr. Roy Sebastian SJ, the Director of NJSI, Kathmandu.
‘It gives me immense joy to witness the capacity of these young people! More young people need to be trained so that they can create awareness among people and take the messages of justice and equality to the society at large through social media’ said SIGNIS Nepal President Mr. Chirendra Satyal.
The objective of the Commlab programme is to integrate the faith of young people with professional growth. The process involves enabling them to understand the power of team work, media criticism, the role of Church social teachings in communications using video as a tool, and finally produce video documentaries to echo the issues of the voiceless in the society.
The programme helps young people to explore their inner potential, their role in the communities and their responsibilities to bring about a change in the communities.
The theme of the Nepal Commlab programme was ‘Caring for our Common Home’ following the reflections of Pope Francis in his document ‘Laudato Si’.
Motivated by the learning and reflections, the participants chose burning issues of the poor as themes for their productions which stand testimony to the success of the programme.
The input sessions, group discussions, Eucharist celebrations, field visits, shooting, editing, interviews, games, photo sessions, evaluations, prayer services, entertainment programmes etc., will remain in the minds of participants for a long time to come.
‘It’s a great opportunity for me to be part of this programme. I feel I am well equipped to make short films on my own and I will do it’.
‘On the first day, I was wondering how to spend seven days here, but now I feel as if I arrived here only yesterday! Time flew too fast! I got very rich experience here’.
‘I learnt here how to work together in a group. Everyone is talented and talents are multiplied when we work together’.
‘I tasted the effect of teamwork! Thanks to Xavier’s college and SIGNIS Asia. I am sure to make useful contributions to society’.
The above were some of the feedback heard from the participants! Each one was given a seed to plant at home. These seeds were brought by Ms. Lyka, one of the facilitators from Manila.
– Dr. Magi, VP, SIGNIS Asia
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