All systems go for 2014-2015 RBC Young Leaders Programme

It’s all systems go for schools participating in the 2014-2015 RBC Young Leaders Programme.

Reports coming from a number of schools indicate that they have set the ball rolling and are putting their teams together for this year’s event.{{more}}

This year, the theme is “Digital Citizenship – Responsibly Navigating Technology.” RBC notes that as technology continues to rapidly change our world, it is also becoming increasingly important that young people understand what it means to be a responsible digital citizen.

According to RBC: “While the Internet presents great opportunities, navigating the digital culture, in which rules and social norms are sometimes unclear, can present real risks. Cyber bullying, cyber stalking, hacking, sexting, plagiarism, and other potentially illegal activities are just some of the hazards that users face online.

“These risks can be mitigated by a clear understanding of digital citizenship,” the bank further adds. RBC maintains that building a positive online reputation is central to being a good digital citizen.

Most students and young people already have an online reputation, so it’s anticipated that participation by schools this year will be high. Since online actions can have incredibly real offline consequences, RBC is challenging students to become advocates for responsible digital citizenship, through the promotion of technical and/or social skills that will enable a person to be successful and safe in the information age. Projects can highlight just one of the elements of good digital citizenship, or as many as chosen.

Students will work with their classmates to develop strategies that can prepare individuals for living and learning in a technology-rich society. The projects should help others understand the need for personal responsibility, as it pertains to their online uses and should empower school members and the community to make appropriate, ethical decisions in the online world. Schools have until month end to submit entry forms and project descriptions to the local branch of RBC in Kingstown.

RBC Young Leaders is one of the flagship youth development programmes of RBC Royal Bank, attracting participation from secondary school students in several Caribbean countries for the past 30 years. Known previously as RBTT Young Leaders, the programme was rebranded on June 6, 2011 to coincide with the reintroduction of the RBC brand in Trinidad and Tobago, following RBC’s acquisition of RBTT Financial Group in 2008.

The St Vincent Girls’ High School won the Young Leaders title last year, while a St Martin’s Secondary School student got the judges’ nod for Most Outstanding Young Leader.