Chapa Perera is a force to be reckoned with. At the very young age of just 24, she is widely involved in youth activism and has partaken in several initiatives and conference’s, speaking passionately about global issues and change mechanisms.
Educated in Musaeus College she recently completed her LLB at the Faculty of Law in Colombo. She was the Official Youth Delegate from Sri Lanka to the United Nations in year 2013, and the Minister for the Senate at the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament.
Currently she’s involved in a youth lead initiative by the name of ‘Hashtag Generation’ which is focused on mobilizing young people to be more politically active, playing an active role in decision making processes.
We caught up with her to talk about youth and her involvement with change.
Why are you passionate about youth activism?
- I believe that we, as young people, have an immense potential to create change. We have the capacity to offer a fresher perspective on social issues, going towards sustainable solutions for all. If any policy is to be truly sustainable, it is imperative that young people be involved, as it is us who will have to take forward the policies enacted today. Above all, we are currently witnessing the largest global youth population the world has ever seen, with over 1.8 billion young people in the world. If we constitute such a significant portion of the global population, can policies and initiatives be truly inclusive if our voices are not reflected?
How did your involvement with youth activism start?
- I think my involvement really started with the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament. It truly was a life changing experience, and opened my eyes as to various issues that pervade our society, especially in terms of young people. The manner in which our Youth Parliament members dealt with these issues, trying to create change in any small way they can, inspired me.
You were the official Youth Delegate of Sri Lanka to the United Nations last September, what was your role in it?
- As the Official Youth Delegate we were a part of the National Delegation heading to the UN General Assembly in New York. Every year, there are two youth delegates selected for this task. Prior to us leaving to New York, we hold consultations across the country, talking with young people and getting their inputs. The National Statement of Youth that the two UN Youth Delegates deliver at the General Assembly reflects these inputs. We also represented Sri Lanka at the negotiations on the UN Youth Resolution. Our mandate lasts a year, during which period we act as advisors to the Ministry of Youth, advising them on their initiatives and policies.
You are currently engaged in several regional and international platforms. What’s the end goal?
- This is a two way benefit. I believe that my engagement in these platforms allows me to learn more and develop myself. For an example, the work we do with the Commonwealth Youth Gender Equality Network (of which I am a member), has inspired me in so many ways to inject those creative solutions locally. On the other hand, the knowledge I gained through my work with Sri Lankan Youth has in turn helped me to contribute substantively for global initiatives. The end goal is simple: change and inclusive development.
You just graduated with your Bachelors in Law from the Faculty of Law, how did you manage to balance your studies with all research and travelling you had to do for the forums?
- I think that the experience I gained through my work added a lot of value and insight to the subjects I studied. They gave me a practical exposure to many aspects of society that we were trying to address through law. I also had the advantage of a great bunch of friends who encouraged me and helped me in thousand different ways.
What would you say is your biggest achievement?
- I think my biggest achievement is having the opportunity to work with a group of like-minded young people, who are equally passionate about youth development. From the World Conference on Youth in 2014, of which we were a part of the youth-led steering committee, to the work we do now – this comradeship and shared passion has been truly inspiring.
What’s the greatest challenge you’ve overcome?
- I think one of the biggest challenges that any young person faces is that we are hardly taken seriously. The existing mentality in the society is that we are young and immature, without any sense of direction or goal. This mindset has been quite a challenge, even more so when you are a young woman interested in social change. In most cases, representation of young people is only given a mere tokenistic value. It takes time to adjust to this, and then you learn to rise up against it. The more you show how confident you are, and the more you prove that you are well aware of the social dynamics related to your topic of interest, the more they start to take you seriously.
What would you say is the single most important thing youth needs to be more aware of?
- I believe that what all of us, as young people, should be aware of our potential. We have the capacity to do something new, to create a change albeit however small. This does not mean all of us should be activists – in fact, I do not believe in the being an ‘activist’ per say. What we should do is to utilize the knowledge we have, our skills and strengths for the betterment of those around us. Be it a new invention that cures a sickness, be it a software that makes learning easy, or be it a fashion chain that breaks down stereotypes – this can be anything you are good at.
What’s next for you?
- I am interested in pursuing a career in community development. Currently, I am looking at pursuing my graduate studies in the same field.
Interviewed by Panchali Illankoon
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