The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts has commenced the first session of the ‘Ahannakee Noosverieh’ programme in R. Dhuvaafaru, with the participation of 32 youth from Raa and Noonu atolls.

The two-day programme aims to promote awareness and critical thinking among young people, with sessions covering key topics such as journalism ethics, recognising extremist narratives, the role of white-collar professionals in community development, and the proper use of the Dhivehi language.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, State Minister for Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ali Sham’aan, stressed the importance of media literacy. He noted that while every citizen has the right to access information, it is equally crucial to distinguish between truth and falsehood. The awareness programme, he said, is intended to equip participants with the knowledge to identify misinformation and discern credible sources from misleading ones.

Participants of the programme hail from 13 islands in Raa Atoll, as well as Noonu Holhudhoo. They include staff from island councils, various government agencies, and online news outlets operating in the region.

‘Ahannakee Noosverieh’ is part of the Government’s ongoing initiative to empower Maldivian youth through educational and community-based programmes. The Ministry intends to roll out the programme to additional islands in the near future.