Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
A Rotary Club of Bukit Kiara Sunrise Project
Communication from the REF CR 201006-0008 June 2010
Unlocking Potential through Values Two-day values education workshop for youths to build a better future
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Mohandas Gandhi
The world should be a better place to live. It cannot be denied that there is presently too much pollution, violence, crime and poverty. One way of creating a better world is for each one of us to work for self-transformation because self-transformation on the part of everyone will bring about world transformation – A Better World. In order to succeed however, such self-transformation must be based on playing the game of life by observing the rules of the game so that we don’t spoil the game for our self and for others. The rules of the game are what is known as “Values” or “Virtues”. And so, “Values Education” is simply learning the rules of the game of life. In support of youth development in the community, the Rotary Club of Bukit Kiara Sunrise through its Education Fund (REF) held a 2-day Values Education Workshop (VEW) from 8-9 June 2010. The workshop was officially
“…discovering the important reality that deep down everyone is not different, thus helping the students build self-esteem, self-confidence along with promoting unity.”
opened by club president Frances Po Yih Ming. Values Education is part of a four-pronged initiative of the club’s Education Fund. Together with the other three prongs, namely Education Assistance Awards (for financial assistance), Youth Mentorship and Leadership Training, the present workshop makes up a holistic approach by the club towards the development of youths in the community. The VEW is a programme designed for students to discover who they are and to appreciate how values can unlock their potential. The workshop organized by the Rotary club brought students of all ethnic backgrounds together. Besides developing potential, the workshop provided students with the benefit of interacting with communities other than their own and the opportunity of discovering the important reality that deep down everyone is not different, thus helping them build self-esteem, self-confidence along with promoting unity. Students participating in the workshop were encouraged to recognize this as an opportunity for self discovery, developing self belief and self improvement. With the lessons learnt from the workshop, they would be better equipped to make their life dreams real. The workshop was a follow-on from a 4D/3N Youth Leadership Camp organized earlier in March this year
President Frances and Principal Mr Ong (2nd and 3rd from left) at the workshop launch
Mr Shankar of EQTD stressing a point to the students
for the same group of students. The main objectives of both the camp and the workshop were to equip students of age 15-19 with positive values and to improve their overall performance in school. Besides these, the objectives of the workshop included to:
Learn what values are Appreciate why values are needed Establish which values are important Understand how values can unlock potential
The 2-day workshop was attended by about fifty students selected mainly from SMK Sri Permata in Petaling Jaya and was held at the school hall. The workshop was sponsored by the CIMB Foundation and conducted by professional corporate trainers EQ Training and Development (EQTD). The Rotary club and the trainers will continue to follow-up with the principal and teachers of the school after the workshop to assess student progress and recommend remedial/corrective actions if necessary. The main theme for the workshop was “Unlocking Potential through Values”. Besides trainers from EQTD
Students paying close attention at the workshop
and the Rotary Club, guest speakers included Ms Freda Liu from BFM radio station, surgeon Dr Hitendra Doshi from the National University of Singapore, scholarship student Ms Kong Phui Yee from Mahindra World College and Mr M Saravanan from British Telecom whose participation in the programme contributed to the success of the workshop. Specifically, some of the topics covered at the workshop included:
What are Values Why are Values Important The 5 Principal Human Values How to Practice Values in Our Lives Values in Action Using Values to Achieve
There is a multitude of values and it is necessary to identify the ones that are important to us because our values define who we are. Values are one's judgments about what is important in life and they help us see things clearly. They govern all that we think, say or do – they form our “system of beliefs” that guides our actions. Values are quality conducts and behaviours. No man is an island. We do not exist independently but are interconnected to and interdependent on one another as part of a whole symbiotic ecological system and therefore in the well being of all lies our own complete well being. The students were taught that we are all meant for a higher purpose, a purpose beyond just self, with a regard for others. Only when we realize this, will we be able to see clearly, fully develop our potential and lead a truly fulfilled and meaningful life. Generally, good values or “noble values” are those that are related to selflessness and compassion towards others. The students were taught that noble values are needed not just to create a better life for our self but to create a better life for all – a Better World.
Group discussion on what are the important values
EQTD shared the concept of looking at values from the Five Principal Human Values point of view. In this model, all the major noble life values are organized and rationalized into the main values of Truth, Right Conduct,
The Values Tree
Peace, Love and Non-Violence. Life is then characterized as a tree on which we grow these major values as fruits (see diagram below) to build a good future.
Active participation at the workshop
REF Leadership Training Programme (LTP) and the REF Values Education Programme (VEP) The LTP and the VEP are two of the four prongs of the REF. The objective of the LTP and the VEP is to equip secondary school students of age 15-19 from lower income families with leadership skills and positive universal values with the underlying objective of improving their overall school performance. The LTP is designed to develop leadership and team building skills. It is typically a camp style programme which provides participants with experiential learning opportunities. The VEP is a workshop developed to teach universal life values such as Self-confidence, Honesty, Responsibility, Compassion and Humility. Goals of the Programme Improve student’s willingness to participate in all
school and class room activities Improve academic results by 10-15% Improve
other qualitative comments by teachers in report cards
Programme Components A 4-day 3-night leadership training camp
conducted by professionals A 2-day values education workshop conducted by
professionals Follow-up with principal and teacher to assess
student progress and take remedial/corrective actions if necessary
Run the same group of students through both
programmes at different intervals/term breaks so that the effectiveness of both programmes can be measured clearly
Beneficiaries Total 50 students preferably from the same
school From lower income families Students who are evaluated by the teacher to
have the attitude/ability to improve Currently under performing students Racially diverse composition
Some Topics Covered in the Leadership Camp Team Leadership and Personal Dynamics Test of an Educated Person Team Power Skills and Knowledge Power Jungle Trekking and Survivor Skills The Professional Approach with Studies Mind Power Visioning
Some Topics Covered in the Values Workshop What are Values How to Practice Values in Our Lives Values in Action Inspiring World Leaders The Meaning of Truth and Peace The Meaning of Love and Non-Violence Malaysian Values
Besides listening to talks and lectures, students were required at the workshop to participate over the two days in group discussions, flip-chart presentations and short staged plays to help them realize the important concepts. Through these activities, the students were encouraged to ponder about their purpose in life. Once they could establish or make a start at discovering this, they would be able to see a clearer path to achieving their dreams. In order to do that, they were given a clear explanation of what values are and which ones could help them discover their purpose. The right values – noble ones – help us acquire the tools to unlock our potential and build a better world, while always staying anchored on our purpose.
Why values are important
While opportunities can be provided for them to grow, more than any other aspect, the workshop was about awakening the students to their responsibility for their own future. Here, it was not only about getting good grades for exams, although this would be a natural
CIMB Foundation’s Elizabeth Liew being acknowledged by REF Chairman Dr YL Yee
“The right values – noble ones – help us acquire the tools to unlock our potential and build a better world, while always staying anchored on our purpose.”
consequence, but rather it was about being true to one’s purpose, being aware of one’s goals and working hard to achieve them. In today’s open society, there are a multitude of both positive and negative influences. It is impossible to shield any youth from all the negative influences without at the same time filtering out some of the positive ones along with it. The only solution is to expose the young person progressively to the influences of life and at the same time build in him/her a strong value system. This is the only protection a young person can realistically hope to have from today’s negative influences. Through the workshop the students discovered that the elements of a noble value system are common for all of us, one that is based on truth, love and selflessness. With a clear understanding of values and why they are needed, it is hoped the students will have a better start to a better life and will build a better world. These so-called “universal human values” remain unchanging over time. In the end, they learned that while Gandhi’s words implored that we must be the change we wish to see in the world, such change can only be positive if it were grounded on good values…“We should open our arms to change but we must never let go of noble values.”
Rotarian Alvin Tan presenting the certificate of attendance to a participant
The RCBKS Education Fund was officially launched on 14Nov2009 as a project of the Rotary Club of Bukit Kiara Sunrise. The objective of the fund is to support the development of youths of age 15-19 from lower income families, who desire to “help themselves” become useful members of society, by providing them with education opportunities, leadership training, values education and mentorship, putting them on the start of the road to a better life. For more information contact [email protected]
