The International Study Visit (ISV) is one of the most challenging and fulfilling phases of the Active Citizens Youth Leadership Training. Every year a number of Active Citizens who have proven engagement in social change are selected to take part in this exciting phase, to which allows them to build up more global connections and gain a more in-depth knowledge of global issues. In November 2014, the International Study Visit took place in the UK, and three enthusiastic Active Citizens participated from Bangladesh and became a part of this global network.
Jisan Mahmud from The Hunger Project, Aziz Hena from Democracywatch and Sarker Samira Jannat from the Centre for Communication and Development participated in the event this year for their outstanding contribution as youth activists in their self-initiated social action projects. Excluding Bangladesh, 23 participants from 8 countries took part in the event.
The seven day programme kicked off with an exciting introductory session that helped the participants get to know each other and feel comfortable around each other. This allowed them to work together more actively in the other sessions. Participants were able to share their cultural background in a session called ‘Market Place’, where they represented their own countries’ through flags, foods, attires, currencies, etc.
Later, in a session called ‘Global Café’, the participants took part in debate and negotiations on global issues at the Palace of Westminster. Finally, the participants were divided into four groups and made community visits around the UK to learn more about social action projects and how they should implement these projects to get the best outcome in social development.