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Program Overview
The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Authority is committed to promoting a holistic and proactive approach to disaster management in The Bahamas. We believe in an inclusive, Whole-Of-Community approach which builds community resilience by empowering Bahamians to strengthen their level of preparedness.
The Disaster Risk Reduction Youth Ambassador (DRRYA) Programme is a youth empowerment initiative by the DRM Authority with the aim of equipping young people with the skills to become advocates for disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction (DRR) for their families, communities, and social networks and arming them with the knowledge to effect change in our islands.
Through this programme, we aim to cultivate a generation of youth leaders with the knowledge, advocacy skills, and drive to engage their communities to build disaster resilience in the country.
Rules to the Competition
- Student must be in Grade 10
- Submit a completed DRRYA programme application form
- Submit a 3-to-5-minute video speech on what the 2024 IDDRR theme, “Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future” means to them
- Deadline: Saturday, December 21st, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Eligibility
- Tenth (10th) grade student in a high school in The Bahamas, preferably a student interested in environmental resilience, sustainability, geography, disaster management, science, or a related area.
- Must be able to commit to the Ambassador Programme for a year (December 1st 2024, to November 30th 2025), inclusive of training courses and participation in community engagement and public awareness campaigns.
- Must have a 2.8 or above GPA and maintain this GPA throughout the tenure of the ambassadorship.
Theme
“Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future.”
As climate change threatens the well-being of our future, what does it mean to empower the next generation of Bahamians for a more resilient country? Entrants are encouraged to explore what this theme means for our nation, for their communities, and for them personally. Competitors should pay special attention to how unique circumstances, such as our archipelagic geography, and how specific vulnerabilities such as gender, immigrant status, and income inequality can impact resiliency across The Bahamas. Consider what a Bahamian future free from fear of disaster might look like and how your generation can be included in creating that future!
After Competition Closes
- A Selection Committee consisting of cross-sectoral experts will decide the top three girl and top three boy submissions.
- These top six submissions will be posted on the social media accounts of the DRM Authority, and the public will vote on which boy and girl candidate inspired them the most.
- The boy and girl who the public chooses will be named the DRR Youth Ambassadors.
Terms of Ambassador
- Each ambassador’s term will last one-year, beginning on December 1st and ending on November 30th of the following year.
- This term allows for the DRRYAs to participate in DRR activities during the seasons of all hazard events in The Bahamas – most significantly before and during the Atlantic hurricane season.
Ambassador Benefits
- Laptop – which they can use for presentations and speaking engagements in the community. This laptop would be theirs to keep after their tenure.
- Paid Summer Internship – a summer-long, paid internship with the DRM Authority, gaining real-world experience in disaster management and exposure to careers in disaster management.
- DRR Training – this training would provide them with a basic understanding of DRR and DRM terminology and introduce basic principles of disaster risk management.
- Presentation Skills Development – the Ambassador will receive two training sessions with a media consultant to improve speaking abilities and build their skills and confidence for presentations and public and media appearances.
- National Travel Opportunities – over the course of their tenure the Ambassadors will travel throughout The Bahamas and the Family Islands to give presentations to schools and at community events.
- Networking Opportunities – the ambassador will have access to local and global DRR professionals and participate in international DRR forums.
- Receive DRM Authority branded clothing and paraphernalia.
REGISTER NOW!
Calling all 10th Graders to compete in our DRR Youth Ambassador Competition. Register Now!
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION
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