SDJF Trains Media Officers -Small Enterprise Development, Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs on MoJo

Communication is vital for human development; thus, plays a pivotal role in accelerating the development mechanism of a country.

In an era where technology continues to evolve exponentially, the necessity of the Smart Phone in every aspect of human life has become indispensable and utilizing this technology to advance and expedite better services especially for small scale entrepreneurs is a need of the hour. In view of providing knowledge and equipping such individuals with sufficient understanding on this broader phenomenon, Sri Lanka Development Forum (SDJF) upon the invitation of Division of Small Enterprise Development under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, provided its first phase of the training on Mobile Technology and Mobile Journalism for its Media Officers across the country, on June 17, 2021. The training was conducted virtually. More than 100 officers took part in the first session.

The program commenced with the welcome address delivered by Mr. Sudheera Jayaratne, Director of the Division of Small Enterprise Development, explaining the overall aim of the session. He stressed the importance of using new media, positive motivation and new approaches in furthering the greater objectives of the Division and the necessity in strengthening the information flow from bottom to top.

Resource persons from SDJF, and Some of the Media Officers (Trainees) of the training program

In the inaugural speech, former Chairperson of SDJF, Dr. Padmasiri Wanigasundera highlighted the larger role of media and the manner in which it could contribute to ensure sustainable development in the country. He also captured on the use of media to create subtle sensitivities to enhance and improve the attitudes of entrepreneurs for successful outcomes.

The mobile journalism training was conducted by Mr. Mohamed Azad, Program Director of SDJF. During his session, the mindset of the people in using mobile technology and basics of mobile journalism were introduced to the participants. In fact, the session provided an extensive and in-depth perception of the core areas.

The aim of the Division is to provide formal communication from top to bottom and bottom to top, creating a strong connection between the entrepreneurs, youths, citizens and the officers and beyond. Therefore, the insights and resourceful intervention of SDJF in this series of programs will make an invaluable contribution to strengthening the media role required by the officers of the Small Enterprise Development Division to provide services to the entrepreneurs of the country expeditiously, so that it would lead into making a comprehensive intervention across all levels of the society. SDJF will continue to join hands with the government to support them in this venture.

The program is coordinated by Ms.Samadhi Mahanada and she is one of the fellows of SDJF.