Life of Guangzhou - Young Advocates Promote Paralympic Spirit in Guangzhou

Thirty Young Advocates from Guangzhou and Shenzhen have joined an international programme to increase their skills and to promote the Paralympic Spirit in Guangzhou.

Their first stop in Guangdong was at Peiying Vocational Skills School, where both disability awareness and some English language training were staged this Monday (June 30).

The Young Advocates Programme (YAP) is a British Council initiated project, organized in partnership with the Chinese Disabled Persons Federation (CDPF).

According to the British Council, it hopes to expand the Young Advocates Programme to Sichuan. Young Advocates can be messengers of hope and determination, inspiring those individuals who must adapt to being disabled.

The YAP seeks to create a community of skilled Advocates trained in Paralympic knowledge and disability awareness. They will also learn enhanced English /generic language skills, communication skills, as well as leadership and organizational skills. The Young Advocates will be 50% male and 50% female, with half of the group disabled.

The training series is underway from June to September in Guangzhou, offering English and language skills training; digital film workshops; leadership and organization workshops; Paralympic knowledge and disability awareness training.

(By Zhu Yanshan and Stephen Roach)