In our village, young people used to lack confidence to speak up in the community meeting... But after they’ve listened to the LLKS radio programme, they gained self-confidence and dared to speak-up
Major changes in how Myanmar is being run have been made in recent years, including the advent of the country’s landmark elections in 2015.
Through the production of our ground-breaking youth radio programme, Lin Lat Kyair Sin (Bright Young Stars), we’re helping engage, inspire and promote discussion amongst young people in Myanmar.
Youth-led programme making
Reaching a national audience of 8.9 million, Lin Lat Kyair Sin, or LLKS, offers listeners the chance to learn about how their country is changing and hear about the lives of young people from across Myanmar. LLKS tackles issues that young people care about – from jobs to education, to dating and popular culture – while prompting young people to ask questions and discuss issues that had been closed off for generations.
The programme also addresses the country’s lack of social cohesion (especially across religious and ethnic lines) by targeting young and rural audiences, encouraging openness to people of different backgrounds.
It encourages listeners to learn about their rights, their role in their community and their country. It continues discussion online through an active page.
Weekly listener clubs
LLKS partners with Myanmar to run weekly listener clubs across four regions. These clubs enable young people, in villages around the country, to come together, listen to the show, and discuss what it means for them. Listening groups take place in some of the most remote areas of the country so young people from all backgrounds can listen and discuss the issues raised by the show.
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Media Action research found that its joint production and outreach model can lead to greater confidence, discussion and ultimately community action among its target youth audience. One listening group participant from Nat Kone Village, Delta, said, “In our village, young people used to lack confidence to speak up in the community meeting and group discussions. But after they’ve listened to the LLKS radio programme, they gained self-confidence and dared to speak-up in the meeting.â€
Informing youth audiences: 2015 election
LLKS played a strong role in informing youth audiences about Myanmar’s historic parliamentary elections in 2015. Months of specially branded ‘Your Voice, Your Vote’ programming culminated in a special debate programme which brought together 78 young people from around the country to question their would-be representatives. One young man from Kayah State in eastern Myanmar told us that this was the first time in his life that he had seen young people question older people, let alone question a politician.
Project information
Project name | Global Grant: Governance |
Funder | |
Dates | 2013-2016 |
Themes | Governance |
Outputs |
Lin Lat Kyair Sin (Bright Young Stars) |
Broadcast partners |
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Burmese |
Partners | Myanmar |