Biji-biji Initiative; its education arm, Me.reka; and the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur are relaunching applications for a digital second phase of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Boot Camp 2020, held during September 2020, aimed at equipping the next generation of Malaysians with the digital tools, resources, and expertise to build a bright future.

This Boot Camp seeks to ‘Spark National Civic Engagement’ through digital action by welcoming potential changemakers and equipping them with a growth mindset and a civic action toolkit. Participants will gain a strong understanding of how to approach community issues as capable problem-solvers through the use of dialogue and media communication tools and technologies.

From an international pandemic to global social unrest, our communities face significant turning points. This Boot Camp will provide future leaders who wish to be at the forefront of change with all the skills and necessary tools to become the capable civic leaders Malaysia needs and deserves.

To help ensure the health and safety of all participants, the YSEALI Boot Camp team has developed a virtual approach using digital media to bring the same content and opportunities. Individuals will still be able to apply in teams of 2-4 to attend what will now be a 3 week-long virtual Boot Camp on civic engagement and leadership, taking place in the month of September. Industry pioneers and leaders well versed in civic engagement will run a series of digital lessons to equip young leaders with the know-how to launch their own civic engagement campaigns.

Over the course of 3 weeks, we will release various webinars, virtual classroom sessions, educational and informative videos, and articles to ensure participants receive a plethora of avenues to acquire the intended knowledge. Civil society leaders and industry experts within the fields of civic engagement, communications, leadership, and future technology have been onboarded to provide the content for the program. These pioneers with years of industry experience will share their wisdom through valuable lesson plans. YSEALI hopes to bring a meaningful experience that successfully accomplishes the intended outcomes from a physical boot camp by using cutting edge digital technology within the fields of education.

“YSEALI’s youthful leaders are resilient and I strongly believe they will adapt and overcome any given circumstances. As evidenced by the success of prior Boot Camps, we felt it was only right to continue the momentum and relaunch a virtual conference-style experience. These sessions will encompass a variety of digital tools and media to focus on helping local community leaders to plan, launch and support well-rounded civic engagement campaigns,” said Gurpreet Singh Dhillon, Biji-biji Initiative co-founding partner and CEO of Me.reka.

Applicants are not required to have participated in Phase 1 to apply for Phase 2. From a pool of 10 teams (up to 40 participants), five promising teams will be chosen by the end of Phase 2 to receive seed funding of RM 6,000 each, technological development, and 3-months’ mentorship to help launch their campaigns. A limited number of applicants will be chosen for Phase 2 of the Boot Camps and will be given access to various learning and networking opportunities, enabling them to take their civic leadership from the community level to an international platform.

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