The Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) and Internews welcome you to the Youth Advocacy Academy on Freedom of Expression (the Academy). As part of MCCHR’s flagship project, Sekolah Aktivisme, the Academy aims to empower a new generation of youth leaders to effectively advocate for the right to freedom of expression (FOE) in Malaysia.

For a country such as Malaysia that has a median age of 28, young people represent a powerful social and political force if they are empowered to meaningfully participate in nation-building. Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai are present examples of fearless young advocates who overcome intimidations or harassments meant to silence their voice. Exercising the right to free speech is a precursor to a diverse and representative landscape of ideas and actions, which contributes to a more progressive society. To support this vision, the Academy aims to equip emerging leaders from across the country with the skills, tools and network to craft effective and innovative advocacy campaigns.

The Academy is designed to deliver the specially curated curriculum in two parts. Part I builds the participants’ understanding and advocacy knowledge through online webinars on topics such as international human rights treaties, fundamental liberties in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, censorship and hate speech in Malaysia, right to peaceful assembly, freedom of information, grant writing, budgeting, and funding prospects.

Part II offers one-week experiential learning on leadership, campaigning and advocacy, plus an immersion opportunity with key stakeholders such as non-government organizations (NGOs), newsrooms, media organizations and government agencies to better understand the socio-legal environment in Malaysia concerning FOE.

Participants will be trained by experts from MCCHR, Suaram, Article 19, CIJ, Sinar Project and others. A small grant is also available for participants to implement their advocacy project by February 2021.