Building connections across borders through YSALI

When I received an email informing me of my selection for the Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI), I couldn’t believe it. It was an opportunity like no other. Fully funded, to be able to learn from changemakers from all over the world, and a trip to Sri Lanka? For someone as young as me, it felt like winning a golden ticket. And in many ways, it really was.

YSALI, funded by the U.S. Department of State, was set up to create a robust network of connected and empowered young leaders from seven South Asian countries. Its aim was to collaboratively address common challenges and issues such as economic opportunity, natural resources management and civic participation.

It brought together over 80 youth leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. I was among the 12 participants from Bangladesh and one of the youngest, a 12th grader amidst university students and job holders. Yet, I never felt out of place. The program put so much importance on collaboration, conversations and shared learning, that each of us was able to contribute meaningfully. 
It was a three-day workshop. On the first day, we explored Colombo and the city’s vibrant culture. I got to taste the sweetest coconut water and their famous street food, kottu.

On the second day, we participated in interactive workshops. There were several notable speakers, including Dr. Jehan Perera, head of Sri Lanka’s National Peace Council, who shared his thoughts on peace building and civic responsibility. Since Bangladesh went through a political shift similar to Sri Lanka, I took the opportunity to discuss the matter with him. “Even after you take down a regime, what you really need is people’s enduring sense of civic duty,” he said. It still echoes in my mind. 

We also got the opportunity to learn from Tahina Booth, who works to address gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea through her Grass Skirt Project. I got particularly inspired by Hatch, a startup accelerator that connects entrepreneurs with potential investors, about building impactful initiatives and nurturing young entrepreneurs. It wasn’t only one-way speeches. They engaged in conversations with us all day, allowed us to ask questions, gain perspective, and understand practical approaches to leadership and social change.

Another interesting part of the program was the Peer Leadership Circles, where we sat down to address issues in our respective countries, and how to effectively tackle these challenges. I was one of the Peer Circle Facilitators whose job was to lead the discussion at our table. Being a facilitator taught me the importance of embracing fresh perspectives. It reminded me that leadership is as much about hearing others as it is about sharing your own ideas. 

We also learnt a great deal about grant and project proposals, which provided practical skills applicable to our initiatives. The workshop included a site visit to the Jayasekararamaya Temple. There, we interacted with monks who illustrated how community-based programs, like schools and blood banks, can do so much to improve people’s lives. It got me thinking about how similar initiatives could benefit people in my own country.

Apart from the workshops and activities, YSALI was all about networking and building connections. After coming back to Bangladesh, I have already started working with two other Bangladeshi participants on ‘Kids for Nature’, an initiative to educate primary school children about climate and sustainability. 

What I learnt from YSALI is that our age or position has nothing to do with leadership. What’s more important is curiosity, empathy for others, and having the willingness to act when needed. I have always wanted to work with underprivileged women in villages and create better opportunities for children. And if this experience taught me anything, it’s that stepping into uncomfortable spaces, asking questions and listening closely, might just be the first step to changing the world.

This write-up is written by Humaira Afia Orthy, a DP (Diploma Programme) student at International School Dhaka (ISD).
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